Genesis 48:1-15. Now the famine was severe in the land.
The famine is severe, and physical survival is the main thing on Israel/Jacob’s mind, not the state of his sad, dysfunctional family. Because Egypt has food, the Egyptian official in charge of its distribution holds the power of life and death for any who go to Egypt asking to buy food; but to Jacob’s great horror, this mysterious man has insisted Benjamin, the youngest son, be brought to Egypt. One of the brothers, Simeon, remains imprisoned in Egypt, and this fate – or something worse – might await Benjamin, clearly the father’s favorite son, since Joseph was so painfully taken from him. Of course, this same fate might also await any of the brothers, but this doesn’t seem to be Jacob’s particular concern. He thinks he has been “mistreated” by his sons for their revelation of the existence of the youngest brother.
It is heartbreaking to see Judah bargain with his father to let Benjamin go down to Egypt with the other brothers. He pleads with his father, saying he will accept responsibility and blame if Benjamin does not return. This is a first step toward healing the family, since neither he nor the other brothers have accepted full responsibility for Joseph’s disappearance.
Nevertheless, the entire family must deal with the man who has said, “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.” Unbeknownst to the brothers who returned for Benjamin, the Egyptian official had secretly and graciously returned the money meant to buy food on the first trip; but when they found the money, they thought some mistake had been made. So now they must take double the money, plus additional presents, to buy their way into his favor. They can’t see kindness, only severity. How could they know that this Egyptian official knows all about the family’s dark secrets and plans to reunite and heal them?
In this Lenten season may we be open to imagine the mysterious ways God deals graciously with us, even as we identify with Jesus’ pain and suffering. Amen.
— Jim Ward
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