Genesis 45: Reconciliation

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Judah's pleas in Chapter 44 persuade Joseph that reconciliation and reunion with his brothers is possible. He shares his abundance with his brothers, and Pharaoh gives the entire house of Jacob the best land in Egypt. 

I wonder if this is the same Pharaoh who initially empowered Joseph, for in the NRSV Joseph said God "has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt." While not a literal father, perhaps Joseph is senior in age to the current Pharaoh, perhaps having acted as regent. I don't think any Pharaoh is actually named in Genesis. Not yet at least.

In any case, something that struck me is what Joseph tells his brothers: "And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life."

I can't help but interpret this through the lens of the 20th-century mystic Neville Goddard. In his lectures Neville talks about how he wanted a divorce from his long-estranged wife so that he might marry another. But divorces were hard to get in New York State in the 1930s. He envisioned, one could say dreamt, of life with his new bride.

Then Neville's estranged wife did something out of character and faced criminal punishment. Neville testified on her behalf and the case was resolved in her favor. Out of gratitude she finally granted the divorce so Neville could marry again.

Neville said his ex-wife played her part, even got into trouble, so that his dream would become true. In a similar way, Joseph's brothers played their part so that Joseph could be elevated to a position of power that he had dreamed of.

It might raise a question about free will: do people do evil things (like selling their brother into slavery) out of conscious choice, or are they playing their part in a bigger scheme, in someobdy else's vision?

Joseph decided to hold his brothers blameless. Nevertheless he did put them to the test, to see if a relationship with them was possible. And as they were heading back to Israel, Joseph says "Do not quarrel along the way" as if he knew the brothers easily succumbed to anger. Or perhaps Joseph was joking.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)