Friday 8 January, 2016

18 On the third day, Joseph spoke to them again. He said, “Do what I say. Then you will live, because I have respect for God. 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison. The rest of you may go and take grain back to your hungry families. 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me. That will prove that your words are true. Then you won’t die.” So they did what he said. 21 They said to one another, “God is surely punishing us because of our brother. We saw how upset he was when he begged us to let him live. But we wouldn’t listen. That’s why all this trouble has come to us.” 22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we’re being paid back for killing him.” 23 They didn’t realize that Joseph could understand what they were saying. He was using someone else to explain their words to him in the Egyptian language. 24 Joseph turned away from his brothers and began to weep. Then he came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken and tied up right there in front of them. 25 Joseph gave orders to have their bags filled with grain. He had each man’s money put back into his sack. He also made sure they were given food for their journey. 26 Then the brothers loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

The lesson I get from todays readings – practical jokes and pranks are biblical…

I love this story, because once again we see God’s faithfulness, what he promises always comes to pass. Joseph was waiting for years and I am sure he wondered whether he would ever see his family again. I wonder whether he felt love and rage all intermingled, for he had suffered much at the hands of his brother, imprisonment and slavery, before days of honour came.

“Lord we will experience much on this journey of life, some will hurt and some will fill us with joy – all along you remain faithful and will never depart from us!”

Written by Andrew Mellor