Undocumented Anguish

Undocumented anguish.  I was drawn to a simple statement made by Joseph’s brothers in our reading today.  Joseph is now second in command of all Egypt.  A severe famine has come upon all the land, but there is food an Egypt because of the provisions of God and the faithfulness of Joseph.  However, as Joseph’s brothers are sent to Egypt to get food, they unknowingly are interacting with their brother Joseph.  Joseph recognizes who they are, but they do not recognize Joseph.  Joseph speaks harshly to them and has them thrown in prison.  One might think it is revenge, but we will see later on there is great mercy and grace in what Joseph does for his family.  However, as the brothers are in prison, they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother:  We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen.  That is why this trouble has come to us” (Genesis 42:21).  In the account of Joseph being thrown into the pit by his brothers, and then sold into slavery, there is no details of how Joseph acted in that situation (Genesis 37: 23-28).  When we read that account a few days ago, I did make note that, after throwing Joseph in the pit and before selling him to the slave traders, “they sat down to eat a meal” (Genesis 37:25).  I noted that it did not even bother their conscious as to what they were doing to their own brother.  Now, we have a little more insight.  Joseph was in “deep distress” and he “pleaded” with his brothers.  Yes, Joseph was a man of faith, but situations still hurt deeply.  Later, Joseph could see God’s purpose in it all.  What man intended for harm, God used for good.