The Reveal
In Canaan the brothers hid months on end,
But soon to Egypt they must go again.
"Take the wagons; we'll soon be out of food,"
Jacob told his sons, in a somber mood.
"But what of the money? They'll think we didn't pay,
All of us they're sure to slay!"
"Pay them double and give gifts beside,
Prepare for a journey for tomorrow you ride."
"We cannot return without Benjamin,
The ruler said we had to bring him in."
"You boys will be the death of me!
My heart is breaking can't you see?
Two sons I have already lost,
Losing Benjamin is too great a cost!
But take him if you must," said with a sigh,
"If you lose him too, I shall die!"
Back to Egypt with Benjamin in tow,
Straight to Joseph, they were told to go.
"We brought our brother, we told no lies,
Release Simone, for we are not spies."
The young ruler invites them to dine,
The brothers wonder if it's a good sign.
To Benjamin, Joseph showed devotion,
Giving him a double portion.
Wagons loaded they headed for home
But not far from Egypt did they roam.
Riders were sent to bring them back
As soldiers searched each mans sack.
Again their money was found inside
"We are innocent!" they all cried.
Before Joseph they all were taken.
Terrified and badly shaken.
~
"I showed only kindness from my hand,
Is this the way you repay a man?
I invite you home to sup,
And one of you took my golden cup!
That man shall be my slave this day!"
The terrified brothers all cried, "Nay!"
"Search, nothing will you find,
For none of us has a thing to hide."
The cup is found in Benjamin's sack,
The oldest cries, "We must bring him back!
Please listen; we know not how the cup got there,
We took nothing from here, that we swear.
If we leave without him my father will die.
Keep me instead!" was Ruben's cry.
Joseph sent his servants from the room,
The brothers thought this marked their doom.
But Joseph instead began to weep,
No longer could his secret keep.
"I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold long ago."
The brothers shocked, How could they know.
He forgave them all right where they stood.
"What you meant for evil,
God meant for good.
Go get my father and your families too,
Now the land of Goshen belongs to you."
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Author Notes
Joseph has some fun at his brothers expense, scaring them to death several times. But in his heart he is so happy to see his brothers and must leave the room several times during his encounter with them so they will not see him weep.
The brothers believe all of their troubles with the Egyptian ruler are a punishment for their sin of selling Joseph. How ironic, for that is just what it is. But Joseph holds no ill will toward his bothers and forgives them completely.
He has them bring his father and their families so they can live there where they will be cared for and have his protection. The Pharaoh is pleased that Joseph brings his family and he gives them the whole land of Goshen. (Genesis 43-46)
This may seem generous, but also necessary as the Egyptians find shepherds, which is what the Israelites are, abhorrent and cannot stand to be near them. Goshen was far from the Egyptian population.
When they dinned with Joseph, they were at a separate tables because an Egyptian will not eat with a shepherd. But Joseph talks freely with them and he pays special attention to Benjamin, (his whole brother, Rachels other son), by giving him double portions.
I wonder what went through the mind of these brothers. It must have all been so strange and confusing. Shepherds where thought to be the lowest of the low and they smelled bad.
Isn't it amazing that when Christ was born, God wanted the lowly shepherd to be the first to know? He sees all men as equal.
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