Sad Sack

Genesis 44

So the boys prepare to head home- none the wiser regarding Joseph's ruse. Joseph has his steward load their sacks with as much food as they can carry and their silver. He also has him plant his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

After they leave, Joseph sends his servant after them accusing them of stealing his cup. Naturally they deny it, not knowing the cup is in Benny's bag. They say- we even brought back the silver from before, why would we steal? If one of us has it, he'll die and the rest of us will be your master's slaves.

The steward says sure- it's a deal ,just as you said. Whoever has it will be my slave and the rest of you will be free (which isn't what they said, but apparently what he's prepared to enforce).

When the cup turns up in Benjamin's belongings, the clothes tearing begins. Imagine the shock and dread at knowing the fate of your brother and the consequent reporting of the event to your dad- especially after what they'd done to Joseph.

So they offer their services as Joseph's slaves and sneaky Joseph says- no- I'm not that kind of man- just the one who we found it on- the rest of you go free.

Is Joseph yanking their strings? Does he intend to keep Benjamin with him and then have a change of heart or is he trying to emphasize his point here?

Judah pleads his case, recapping the highlights from the last several chapters. Saying please don't turn us back to our father- I couldn't stand to see his misery.

Lesson for me- the danger of rash promises. Judah assured his dad that everything would be okay. His overestimation of the amount of control he had over the situation comes back to bite him. And honestly- how much of life do we have much control over? Like Mongo, we are often merely pawns in game of life. But unlike mongo we view ourselves as king- or at least a really crafty bishop.

Curious observation. Twice in this chapter Joseph's use of divination with his cup is mentioned (at least in the NIV). Does this mean he used the cup to commune with God (weird)? Or is he involved in some cultish practice that it would seem that God wouldn't have been a fan of (Also weird).