“Stepping into the breach”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, March 4, 2024 Genesis 44: 18-34 (Forward, p. 35) CEV p. 46
Sibling rivalry and family dysfunction are nothing new. They are probably as old as time itself, or at very least, as long as the human race has existed. And yet, in times of trouble or stress arising from outside source, siblings and families often close ranks and stand together. That said, today’s instance is still pretty remarkable—in a couple of ways:
a) Firstly, Judah is tremendously concerned with his father’s welfare, that the bereavement of losing a second son would be too much for him. He obviously loves his father very, very much—even with the blatant favouritism on the part of the father that had earlier torn the family apart! In this hour of need, all that was forgotten—and forgiven? And, in a very real sense, is this not just like Jesus? Because He loves us so, our past behaviour, our wrong-doing—even against Himself--isn’t held against us.
b) And secondly, Judah is willing to stand in in for, to take the place of his brother Benjamin, willing to be enslaved, imprisoned in his place. He, like Jesus with us, surrenders his freedom and his choices, in order to be where we should have been. Such was Judah’s love for his father, and such is Jesus’ love for us. He took our places, not only in becoming human but even more so in bearing our sin, guilt, and shame, even to the point of being imprisoned in death.
So, to me this example from past history merely illustrates how much we owe to Jesus, how much of a debt we owe to Him—that He would go to such amazing and astounding lengths, simply because He loves us so. And so let us with grateful hearts always give Him the praise, honour and obedience that He so richly deserves.
Forward notes: “My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or brother?’” (verse 19).
“Being the eldest of three boys, I can relate to many elements of the stories of Joseph and his brothers: teasing, rivalry, competitiveness, and loving, tearful reconciliations. This ancient text reveals how family relationships can worsen as quickly as they can improve, or vice versa. Perhaps we are called to wonder if we would behave differently. Would we continue to poke and prod at each other as Joseph does here, or would we attempt to resolve this in a new way?
“Even when people in the gospels laugh in disbelief at Jesus, he still brings healing and wholeness into every situation. I would if we could ever be as consistent as Jesus in leading our actions through a perspective of love. If we did, all sibling rivalry would cease. The result might permeate every other relationship around us, and the outcome of our actions might change the world.”
Moving Forward: “Imagine yourself as different characters in the stories of Joseph and his family. How would you respond in their situation? What lessons can you incorporate into your relationships today?”
A concluding note: yes, Joseph had indeed quizzed his brothers previously about their family situation, but I find no evidence of him ‘poking and prodding’ at them in today’s passage. The story, in fact, is not about him at all, but about his brother Judah. Judah is fully contrite and willing to step into the breach in terms of his family, willing to do anything and everything to prevent loss and a further disintegration.