Rachel and Leah between them had 12 sons – the subjects of a very well-known saga in Genesis starting at chapter 17 and going through to the end of the book at chapter 50.
Joseph was his father’s favourite and flaunted it. The famous coat of many colours was a token of this special treatment. Joseph set his 11 brothers against him by telling his dream of the sheaves bowing down to him. So when they got the chance, they had their revenge selling him as a slave to travelling merchants, who took him and sold him on in Egypt. Never expecting to see him again, the brothers made up a story for their grieving father that he had been killed by wild animals.
In Egypt, Joseph gained power and influence through his gift of being able to interpret dreams, ending up a prominent official in Pharaoh’s government. When famine struck and the brothers were forced out of Palestine to look for food in Egypt, they came and knelt before Joseph who had the course of their future lives in his hands….
Joseph could have made up with them there and then, or he could have had them killed in revenge, but instead he began a series of elaborate tests which brought confusion and fear to his brothers, prompting an admission of guilt, which led eventually to forgiveness and reconciliation between the brothers.
Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish… the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 [NIV]
Some people bear grudges against members of their family for years, with branches of families cutting themselves off from each other in perpetuity. Joseph’s story teaches it is possible to forgive. It is also notable that Reuben’s restraint, which persuaded his brothers to sell Joseph rather than murder him, changed the course of Biblical history.
Are there any longstanding arguments in your own family history that you would like to pray to God to help resolve?
Mairi Mowbray
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