Telling the truth in some cultures today is still the honorable thing to do. Unfortunately, if you live in a major city and try to tell the truth, you’ll probably be labeled as a tattle tale or Uncle Tom. Therefore, if you avoid telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you’ll have to come up with a believable story. This is exactly what Joseph’s brothers thought they did.
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites [and Midianites, these mixed Arabians who are approaching], and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers consented. 28 Then as the Midianite [and Ishmaelite] merchants were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the well. And they sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph [captive] into Egypt. 29 Then Reuben [who had not been there when the brothers plotted to sell the lad] returned to the pit; and behold, Joseph was not in the pit, and he rent his clothes, Genesis 37:27-29.
Rachel, Jacob’s wife, is the first individual in the Bible to clearly get away with stealing images of Laban’s gods, Genesis 31:33-35. Perhaps, Joseph’s brothers were told this story about some point during their lives thinking, “if mom could get away with lying, why can’t we?” According to Moses, the story that Jospeh’s brother told their father convinced him that Joseph was no longer alive. This appears to be the first practical joke recorded in the Bible.
He rejoined his brothers and said, The boy is not there! And I, where shall I go [to hide from my father]? 31 Then they took Joseph’s [distinctive] long garment, killed a young goat, and dipped the garment in the blood; 32 And they sent the garment to their father, saying, We have found this! Examine and decide whether it is your son’s tunic or not. 33 He said, My son’s long garment! An evil [wild] beast has devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. 34 And Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned many days for his son, Genesis 37:30-34.
While Moses doesn’t mention Joseph’s brothers’ reaction to dad buying their fictional story, I’m sure there were either high fives, smirks and or laughter exchanged after leaving Jacob’s presence. For many years, Joseph’s brothers thought they got away with this, until a great famine forced them to travel to Egypt to find something to eat. This is where Joseph returns the favor, playing a practical joke on his brothers until he breaks down in tears, Genesis 45:1-5. May Joseph’s unique journey help you see that God has a plan even when others think they got away with sinning.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 