Context No. 3909 of 4322 · Genesis

Genesis 43:28-34: in context

28They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. 29He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. 31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.” 32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another. 34He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.

Joseph, now the ruler of Egypt, sees his younger brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, for the first time in years, and is overwhelmed. His heart yearns for his brother, and he has to hurry out of the room to weep in private, then wash his face and compose himself before returning to the meal.

Beneath the mask of the stern Egyptian official beats the tender heart of a brother who has never stopped loving his family. There is something deeply human and moving here. Joseph, who had been sold away by his brothers and had every reason for bitterness, is instead undone by love at the sight of Benjamin, weeping where they cannot see. His restraint, hiding his tears, was part of God's unfolding plan to bring the family to repentance and reconciliation, but his tears reveal a heart already full of love and longing for his own. God was quietly working through Joseph's tender, forgiving heart to heal a broken family. Even in a position of power, Joseph's love for his brothers was stronger than any grievance, and it would open the way to their reconciliation.

Is my heart, like Joseph's, moved by love and longing toward those who have wronged me, so that love proves stronger than grievance and opens the way toward reconciliation?

Sources

Genesis 43:30: "Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there."
Genesis 43:29: "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? He said, God be gracious to you, my son."
Genesis 45:4: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt."