Читать книгу Boyd's Commentary - R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation - Страница 39

Joseph’s intent to preserve life extended to providing a place for his father and family to relocate from Canaan to the land of Goshen, a region in Egypt. After twenty-plus years of estrangement, he was determined to keep his family near him for several generations to come. And not to interfere with the economy of grain needed to stave off the effects of the five remaining years of famine, Joseph prepared himself to personally provide for his family when they arrived. Joseph’s ability to provide for his family was a fulfillment of his dreams. Though his brothers fulfilled his dreams upon bowing to him, his dreams also demonstrated Joseph would become like the eldest and bear the responsibility for providing for the clan. His provision for the family was tied to his purpose to save lives, and not just the lives of the subjects of Egypt. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.” Joseph also had to save the lives of those to whom he was most closely related, even if the majority were scoundrels.

Joseph instructed Benjamin, perhaps because he was the youngest and his only full brother, to be the one to convince his father of his existence and glory in Egypt. Joseph likely chose Benjamin because he believed he was the only brother who could be trusted. Benjamin was the only brother who had not betrayed Joseph and presumably had not ostensibly lied to their father. Though time had passed and Joseph had forgiven, it would not be prudent to trust his older brothers fully.

Benjamin was distinguished again from his brothers by the way he reciprocated Joseph’s act of affection when he fell on his neck and wept. In response, Benjamin wept as well. When Joseph kissed all his other brothers, the older brothers only talked with him, which may reflect caution, showing that (unlike Benjamin) they were unprepared to accept his benevolence as genuine, which for reasons discussed above makes perfectly good sense.

Reaching this point in the narrative, the structure of the story with its varied parts coming to climax, the picture of resolution comes into fuller focus. This story of familial betrayal, separation, and reunion was replete with tension even as the climax and resolution were reached. Joseph’s tension with his older brothers remained even past the death of Jacob (Gen. 50:15–21). His brothers wondered if he would take his revenge upon their father’s death. This text points to Joseph’s longing to be reconnected with his father and feel the embrace of family once again, a family from which he had some painful memories but of which he was a part and was not a foreigner. Though he had risen to prominence in Egypt, it most likely would have been incredibly difficult to live as a stranger with no family connections since adolescence. Though his brothers had wronged him in the most egregious way, his forgiveness was born from an internal peace that purpose existed beyond the harm they perpetrated.