I was introduced to practical jokes as a child after moving from New Jersey to Delaware. While I can’t take the credit for being the mastermind behind the most successful ones, I became good at playing my assigned role. The most memorable one was faking my friend Stephen’s death, set up by a game of Truth or Dare earlier in the day. However, when my neighbor Hope began bawling her eyes out, I knew we had gone too far.
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. 2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money. And [the steward] did according to what Joseph had said. 3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When they had left the city and were not yet far away, Joseph said to his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you rewarded evil for good? [Why have you stolen the silver cup?] – Genesis 44:1-4
When you grow up with older brothers who sold you into slavery and faked your own death, you might develop some resentment over the years. To those who have been on the wrong end of a practical joke will feel motivated to get even when the timing is right. According to Moses, when Joseph is governor of Egypt, he toys with his brothers. However, when his second practical joke might end up giving his own father a heart attack, he comes to his senses.
And if you take this son also from me, and harm or accident should befall him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow and evil to Sheol (the place of the dead). 30 Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life and his soul knit with the lad’s soul, 31 When he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die; and your servants will be responsible for his death and will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became security for the lad to my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever. 33 Now therefore, I pray you, let your servant remain instead of the youth [to be] a slave to my lord, and let the young man go home with his [half] brothers. 34 For how can I go up to my father if the lad is not with me?—lest I witness the woe and the evil that will come upon my father, Genesis 44:29-34.
Rather than end a practical joke with laughter, Joseph’s emotions got the best of him, Genesis 45:1-2. According to Moses, Joseph sobs like a baby, weeping so loud that officials outside this room could hear him weeping. At this moment, Joseph realized it’s time for the truth to come out, I am your brother Joseph. The next time you get caught up in an amusing practical joke, read the room so that your stunt doesn’t go too far.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 