Softened Explanation

Softened Explanation

Genesis 42: ²⁹ Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: ³⁰ “The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. ³¹ But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. ³² We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.’ ³³ Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. ³⁴ And bring your youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’ ”

 

============

 

“This is so messed up!” was the detrimental thought that may have been running through the brothers of Joseph’s minds. The spokesperson was not mentioned, but whoever it was, attempted to soften the blow.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob that the lord of the land spoke roughly to them, similar to a child speaking to a parent trying to express no guilt.
• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob the truth about being accused as spies and that one brother needed to be left while they went to get
• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob that their brother Simeon would be released if Benjamin were brought to Egypt, but they added “and you may trade in the land.”

 

Telling Jacob bad news seem to be a regular thing for Joseph’s brothers. Jacob sent Joseph to see what the brother’s were doing before Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He did this for a reason, possibly because they kept bringing bad news. The brothers implied to Jacob that an animal had killed Joseph. Now they had to make it seem like Simeon being in jail was no big deal.

 

One of the brothers added something that would possibly appeal to greed. He misquoted Joseph by saying “and you may trade in the land” versus what Joseph really said which is “an you shall not die.” This type of conversation would form the dysfunctional interactions of the tribes. BUT GOD would use the tribes for HIS glory later.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail to Moses about the conversation the brothers had with Jacob?
• Have you ever had to speak to GOD or someone in authority and tried to soften the blow?
• Is GOD growing you up to be able to be honest about difficult situations?