As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. ~Genesis 43:29-30
I don’t know why this part of the story moves me every time I read it. There’s just something about family that is magical.
At this point, Joseph had been sold into slavery in Egypt, away from his family. He had been in prison, released from prison, and risen to second in command, just after Pharaoh. He managed the grain during the famine, and this is why his brothers were coming to him for help. They didn’t know yet that it was him to which they were talking. Israel’s favorite wife had given him Joseph and Benjamin, but she had passed away during the birth of Benjamin. So, now with Joseph out of the picture, in their father’s grief, they left Benjamin behind while they searched for food. Joseph recognized them, but realized Ben was gone, so he sent them home to get him. This is the verse that describes their reunification.
Our world of Skype and FaceTime have dramatically reduced the emotional reunions, but remember before all this technology? I was already in my thirties the first time I tried Skype. So, without video technology, I moved two hours from home for college, and then a thousand miles away for grad school. All without the ability to see my parents and sisters. I’ve always said I don’t think I would have done that without a cell phone. A generation before that, my mother moved several states away from her parents and relied on long-distance phone calls and handwritten letters to communicate with her mother.
But even with the ability to reach out to those we love, there’s still something special about that moment when we finally have the ability to reach out and hug our family.
Joseph had a lot to forgive regarding his brothers. They had mocked him, ridiculed him, and finally sold him into slavery (but only after debating killing him). There’s a difference between forgiveness and trust. Joseph was able to forgive his brothers, but hesitated with the trust – and we see that by how he sent them home to fetch Benjamin before he revealed his identity. But through their actions, he was able to see their repentance and offer real trust.
Knowing that Joseph’s tears were filled with so many emotions always gets to me. He didn’t have the luxury of even a letter from them in about 15 years. No communication whatsoever. In one moment, Joseph forgave them, he trusted them, and he connected again with his brothers.
No one’s family is perfect. But with God, may our family gatherings also be filled with grace.