“…Joseph recognized his brothers…” –Genesis 42:8
I am still reading Genesis (for a librarian –I am a very
slow reader, though there is also the excuse of new kittens in the house). And, of course, this is the eternal word of
God, so what’s the hurry.
Having just reached the story of
Joseph, it intrigues me that the “trickster” theme continues in this part of
the Jacob narrative. It is as if the
family business were tricking people and we see that “trade” played out again
and again in these stories here at the end of Genesis. First Jacob takes advantage of his brother’s
hunger and careless way with words to steal Esau’s birthright, then Rebekah and
Jacob trick Isaac into blessing him (masquerading as Esau), then Laban (Jacob’s
uncle) tricks Jacob into marrying the wrong daughter (Leah) before giving him (also)
the one he was promised (Rachel). Then Jacob tricks Laban and Esau (again), and
now we see Jacob’s children employing the family trade in their treatment of
each other. The brothers plot against
Joseph –who is carried off to be sold in Egypt-- and then trick their father
into thinking he’s been killed by a wild animal. And now, this morning I am
reading that Joseph (the sweet and wonderful and miraculously wise and chaste Joseph)
is playing tricks on his brothers. It is
as if the family cannot help themselves. It is in their DNA. Trickering runs in their blood.
When the brothers come to Egypt
seeking food (because of the great famine), Joseph recognizes them, but they don’t
recognize him and thus begins the great trick that will end with the saving of
Israel as Jacob/Israel and all his people move to Egypt to live with Joseph. And, of
course, we know how that story ends… Charlton Heston comes to the rescue!
But,
what interests me here is this: what lesson is God teaching us through these
stories? What lesson are we to derive
from the story of this trickster family who play a key part in God’s plan? God seems to dearly love this family that
lies and steals and manipulates each other.
And through them He founds His people?
What does that tell us about our relationship to God? And what does it
tell us about His relationship to us? I
think this is something I will need to wrestle
with for a long time.
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