Once upon a time, there was a guy named Joseph. He liked to dream, had a rainbow-colored cloak, was betrayed by his brothers, imprisoned, and ended up ruling over Egypt (Gen 37-41).
We're picking up there - in Egypt... in the middle of a famine.
In response to the famine, Joesph’s put in charge of grain conservation and distribution (Gen 41:55-57). So when his brothers travel to Egypt in search of food… guess who they’re about to see!
Suffice to say, this family reunion doesn’t go well (Gen 42-45).
For one thing, Joesph’s brothers fail to recognize him (which in and of itself, is weird to me. Either 20+ years does a lot to blur their memories, Joseph looks completely different in his palace garb, or they’re not paying attention. Perhaps it’s a combo of all three).
To make matters more complicated, Joseph decides to test them, see if they are still as deceptive as they once were. While this was a wise move, considering their history (remember—attacked him, left him for dead, sold him instead), it just makes this story harder to follow…
(Act 1:)
Joseph accuses them of being spies.
They say they aren’t.
He tells them to prove it by bringing their youngest brother back with them.
But first, he has to imprison them for three days.
When he lets them out, he keeps one brother in prison while the others go back to get Benjamin.
All of this is done to test their brotherhood loyalty, because they sure weren’t loyal to him. But, well, they’re still his brothers. Not wanting his family to starve, Joseph sends them off with grain… and their money returned and hidden in the bags.
(Act 2:)
The brothers go back to Egypt, with Benjamin in toe.
Joseph invites them to his house for a feast.
Freaked out by their miraculously appearing silver and thinking he’s going to punish them for theft, they tell Joseph’s servant all about the Silvergate Scandal (if you don’t get this Watergate joke, please read a history book).
The brothers beg for mercy, offering up the original silver, as well as a bunch of gifts:
“It’s all right,” [the servant] said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver” (Gen 43:23, emphasis mine).
(I think this means that, after the servant logged the silver as payment for the grain, Joseph snuck it out of the safe or coffers or wherever the silver was kept… hence how the servant has a record of payment, while said payment has been gifted back to the brothers. And since no one knows that Joseph returned the money, it looks like a miracle of God. Although, if you think about it, what’s more miraculous than demonstrating forgiveness, mercy, and grace towards those who’ve hurt you? I’d say that miracle highlights God’s power—His ability to redeem and restore broken hearts—a lot more than coins popping out of thin air. But I digress. Because there’s still more to this story…)
When Joseph and Simeon (the brother who’s been imprisoned as collateral) arrive for the meal, Joseph blesses his brothers and serves them bountifully.
(Act 3:)
Once the feast is finished and everyone has had their fill, Joseph sends them off with more silver-hidden grain.
And a silver cup.
In Benjamin’s sack.
Which is then confiscated.
With Joseph ready to imprison Benjamin, the not-really-a-thief thief, the brothers offer to be punished in his place.
Overwhelmed by his brothers’ change of heart, Joseph finally (and tearfully) reveals his identity. His brothers are shocked, to say the least, but return to Jacob with bounty, blessings, and the best news their father could ask for—
Joseph is alive and well… and wants to reunite with him.
(Anndddd scene.)
So, what’s the moral of this silver sibling saga?
It’s kind of what I said earlier, in my great big parenthetical paragraph:
We don’t have to be afraid, because God’s miraculous mercy, provision, and patience abounds.
Whatever we’ve done in our past, whatever sins and missteps and failures we’re faced…
We are never too dark to be saved by His Light.
And that, my friends, is the true treasure that God gifts Joseph’s brothers. Not silver, but the opportunity for salvation.
He can make all things new—even us, especially us—if we let Him.
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CREATION SPOTLIGHT
Zinny Blooms is a piece full of vibrancy and energy! Originally painted in acrylic with a palette knife, this floral print highlights the boldness, power, and might found in nature, offering inspiration to all of us.
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