Misinterpreting the Actions Of Others

Genesis 42:25-38

“Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.” (Genesis 42:25-26)

Knowing how deceitful and manipulative his brothers could be, Joseph dared not identify himself to them until he was sure of their repentance for their wrong doing. At the same time, he loved them as his brothers. Loving them he did not want toe charge them for their grain, but unsure how they would receive him, he had their money secretly placed in their bags. He included special food for them on the way.

Upset by the accusations of espionage and the retaining of Simeon as a hostage, the brothers wasted no time getting clear of the capital, fearing Joseph might change his mind.

“And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?” (Genesis 42:27-28)

You can imagine the horror the brothers must have felt when they opened the first sack and found the money and extra food. It appeared to be a deliberate attempt to incriminate them by planting evidence. If anyone came after them, the money and special food would be impossible to explain. Joseph’s act of love was interpreted as something far different, because they knew what they would have done and ascribed the same intention to Joseph. The tendency to judge the actions of others by our own motivations causes a lot of confusion and conflict. Their sense of guilt amplified their consternation, knowing they deserved God’s judgment.

“And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying, The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies: We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone: And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land.” (Genesis 42:29-34)

Knowing how Jacob had grieved believing Joseph was dead, and that it was their fault, all the brothers wanted to be sure their father knew they had done their best to prevent Simeon being held as prisoner. Sure enough Jacob was upset by it, and was not completely rational about what had happened, blaming them for having said anything about Benjamin at all. After all, if they hadn’t mentioned aBenjamin, the ruler couldn’t demand he be brought. Who knew what his intent might be. It could only have amplified their sense of guilt over having sold Joseph.

“And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” (Genesis 42:35-36)

When they found the rest of the money, Jacob and his sons were even more convinced there had been a deliberate attempt to plant evidence to incriminate them. As the manipulator he was, Jacob immediately assumed the request to bring Benjamin was an attempt to wipe out his whole family. He slipped back into the same attitude of unbelief he‘d had before his encounter with God at Penuel, whining “all these things are against me.” It’s a very common response.

“And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.” (Genesis 42:37)

Reuben had tried to prevent Joseph being harmed, and his only guilt was in not telling his father what had happened. As so often happens, the least guilty was the one who stepped forward to take responsibility and correct things, because they have less to hide. In dealing with people, it is important to keep this tendency in mind if we are not to allow the guilty to avoid taking responsibility. Reuben offered to sacrifice his own children to demonstrate their innocence in the espionage charges and set Simeon free.

“And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.” (Genesis 42:38)

In his lack of faith, Jacob refused to allow Benjamin to go, even to set Simeon free. What if God allowed something to happen to Benjamin and the Egyptians didn’t set Simeon free? He’d be out one more son, and perhaps all that went. Had he just trusted God, he would have been reunited to Joseph a year sooner, and Simeon would have been released, but he didn’t. How often we delay or circumvent the blessings of God by our refusal to trust him.