Week 4 Genesis 37
In the story where Joseph’s brothers conspire to murder him the writer doesn’t say anything at all about Joseph’s side of the story. It’s like he’s absent. There’s quite a bit of detail about the brother’s plans though. First they’re going to murder Joseph. Then they throw him in a well to let nature take its course. Finally they agree to sell him to some slave-traders. Nothing at all is said about Joseph. The brothers act. Joseph is acted on.
It’s only later – many years later when the tables are turned and Joseph now has all the power and he is tightening the screws on the brothers – that they have a secret conversation among themselves: this has all happened because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his terror and anguish and heard his pleadings, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why this trouble has come upon us.
So now we hear about Joseph’s experience. He was terrified. He was in agony begging & pleading with his brothers for mercy.
Which is exactly what you’d expect. The brothers reaction then? Rock-hard disdain.
But now…finally…the wheel has turned.
The orbit of the brother’s evil deeds had disappeared over the horizon on its big outbound ellipsis but now it was coming home.
One version quoted Reuben: we are going to die because we murdered Joseph. Another version said – a bit more ominously: now comes the reckoning for his blood.
Note: quotes from Genesis 42:21 & 22 (NLT NASB)