Spies
Across the border Jacob's clan
Had need to come up with a plan.
"There's food for sell down Egypt way,
Take the wagons, don't delay."
The ten brothers left that very day,
To be pawns in a game Joseph would play.
Joseph knew his brothers immediately,
But in him, Joseph, they didn't see.
~Joseph has a bit of fun at his brothers expense~
"Where are you from? And don't tell lies,
For I believe you are all spies!"
"We're from Canaan, we do not lie,
No one among us is a spy.
Our youngest brother and father are there,
Our father is old, so have a care,
If we don't return he will die!"
"Then do this to prove you're not a spy.
This will put you in the clear,
Bring your youngest brother here.
But one must stay as guarantee,
That you bring Benjamin back to me."
Simeon, the one chosen to stay,
He was placed in prison to their dismay.
They got their wheat, for which they paid,
But Joseph, another trick he played,
To Canaan they all headed back,
But found their money was in their sacks.
Hurrying home, fearing for their lives,
"If they find money missing, they'll say we're spies!"
|
Author Notes
As the famine spread into Canaan, Jacob had no choice but to send his sons to Egypt to by food.
Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they have no idea he is Joseph. He is moved to tears at seeing his brothers and devises a way to find out about his father and Benjamin, while scaring the living daylights out of this brothers, which they deserve.
He calls them spies and to prove they are not they must bring Benjamin as proof. He is the youngest brother and very dear to Jacob. Joseph knows this. Simeon must stay behind as a hostage until they return.
Joseph has his overseer give his brothers back their money by placing it in the wheat sacks. When they discover the money in the mouth of each brothers sack, they are terrified they will die or be put in prison.
Poor Simeon is left to fend for himself as they stay away as long as they can. When they tell there father what has happened, he grieves for Simeon and considers him lost to them. Genesis 42
|
|
