“Oh
what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
Sir Walter Scott, (1808) Poem Marmion
An
instant replay of the brothers’ treachery against Joseph must have seized them
with fear and remorse as they found themselves accused of being spies in the
courts of the Pharaoh. To be forced to
leave their brother Simeon in captivity in Egypt, and to return with their
youngest brother Benjamin, cut them to the core knowing their father Jacob
might not survive another loss of Rachel’s sons.
Fear
and remorse are powerful emotions, often accompanied by shame. All are common to ALL of us when it comes time
to “fess up and perhaps pay up.” We are
doubly wounded when our misdeeds bring sorrow to our parents, spouses or children.
Many
years had passed since the young Joseph had been led away in ropes bound for
captivity in Egypt. Further betrayals
were to come as he served under Potiphar.
How many times had he relived the pain of betrayal, the unseen tears,
unheard cries and unspoken words of grief and despair through those long
years? Now, perhaps he would exact his “pound
of flesh.” We can only surmise the
nature of his motives as his plan evolved. We wonder how we might have played out those unfolding scenes.
It
seems the gifts of mercy and compassion come only to those who are willing to
have their hearts and lives examined. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23
As Joseph
came to maturity, he was able to know God’s divine plan to redeem
his suffering and betrayal. He had come
to understand God’s heart of mercy as he extended the same to his brothers.
" For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and
acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
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