Joseph and His Brothers

The Bible is explicit that Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons and because of that, they hated Joseph and could not speak a kind word to him (Gen.37:4). The second verse of Genesis 37 where the story began also says, “Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers… and he brought their father a bad report about them.”

When Joseph had his dreams and told his brothers about them, they all the more hated him. In their own interpretation of the dreams they said to Joseph, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?” And they were jealous of him (Gen.37:5-11).

While the brothers were out in the field, Jacob told Joseph to go and see how they were doing. From the distance the brothers saw Joseph, and they thought of killing him. The eldest of the brothers, Reuben, intervened and so they just threw Joseph into the cistern instead of killing him. When some Midianite merchants came by, they pulled Joseph out and sold him for 20 shekels of silver. Meanwhile, the brothers brought home Joseph’s robe soaked with a goat’s blood and made up the story to their father that Joseph might have been torn to pieces by a ferocious animal, to conceal what they did to him (Gen.37:12-33).

Joseph landed in Egypt. It was there, years later that he rose to become Governor of Egypt, second in command to the Pharaoh. When the famine that Joseph predicted swept the land, the day also came when the brothers had to meet again face to face. This time his brothers did not recognize Joseph, and perhaps, they never thought they would meet him again, not in that situation. Joseph, however, recognized his brothers at once but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them (Gen.42:7).

The events that followed were truly emotionally packed when Joseph had to keep his identity and test his brothers. Perhaps he wanted to see how his brothers lived with what they did to him; perhaps he needed to see if they had been guilty and repented for the sin they committed towards him. Or maybe he wanted to see how his father took the loss of his favorite son. No matter what his reason for not revealing himself at once, the confrontation, though disguised, had given him time to think and simmer down. Whatever feelings he might have had towards his brothers at the moment of their first encounter after long years of bitter separation, the momentary disguise helped him settle his heart in letting go and forgiveness.

Joseph had forgiven his brothers, maybe even before he became great in Egypt. But the actual encounter put his emotion and virtue to test. As he dealt with his brothers and tested them, his heart was bleeding with mercy and compassion. When finally he demanded that Benjamin who was found to have the cup in his sack become his slave, and, Judah pleaded for mercy, recounting how his father grieved for his lost son and how he would not be able to stand the misery of losing another son, Joseph broke down and wept aloud in the presence of his brothers, telling them who he actually was. His brothers were stunned and according to the story, they were terrified at his presence (Gen. 45:3). Joseph understood how they felt, so he said to his brothers, “Come close to me… do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you… It was not you who sent me here, but God (Gen. 45:5; 8).” And as if his many words were not enough, Joseph threw his arms around Benjamin and wept… and he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him (Gen. 45:14-15). When Joseph sent them back to Canaan to fetch their father and their families, he warned them not to quarrel on the way (Gen.45:24). This instruction reiterated the message that as Joseph had forgiven them, so they must also forgive themselves by not anymore arguing or blaming one another.

Joseph’s relationship with his brothers was once one of antagonism and hatred. But the events that took place between and among them had changed it. Joseph, during his downsides in Egypt had learned to live through the pains of betrayal, rejection and separation from his family. His brothers, on the other hand, lived through their guilt and regrets for selling Joseph that caused their father tremendous sorrow and grief. When they first met Joseph in Egypt and was treated harshly, they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us (Gen. 42:21)”.

The brothers’ admission of guilt indicates that they had been haunted by their selling Joseph and lying to their father about it. Everyday of their lives they had to endure the pain and guilt of seeing their father in great distress. The guilt was complex because they could not admit the truth that Joseph did not die but that they actually sold him because of their jealousy and hatred towards him. So their fear of Joseph as they faced him was justified. They might have been thinking that Joseph would get back to them if he had the chance.

Joseph did not get back nor get even with them. He forgave them and manifested it in such a way that his brothers would understand. During the times of suffering, Joseph went through the process of inner transformation. From the kind that he was as described in the opening of the story as quoted above, Joseph grew in wisdom. His understanding and realization of the events of his life caused him to become great among his brothers, his people and among the nations.