Genesis 43:28-34: a reflection

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, still unrecognized by his brothers, sees Benjamin, his own mother's son, and is overcome. His heart yearns so strongly that he has to hurry from the room to weep, then washes his face and returns, composing himself enough to say, serve the meal. Beneath the stern official the brothers fear, a tender heart is breaking with love for the family that once wronged him.

The scene is full of quiet grace. Joseph seats his brothers in the order of their ages, to their astonishment, and heaps Benjamin's portion five times higher than the rest. He is not yet ready to reveal himself, but his kindness is already flowing toward the very men who sold him. Reconciliation is coming, and here are its first warm signs, love moving before the moment of disclosure.

Joseph's hidden tears are worth remembering when you are near someone who has hurt you. Underneath the composed face you show the world, God can be at work turning your heart toward reconciliation. He may be preparing a feast where you expect only distance. Ask him to give you Joseph's tender heart, ready to move toward those who have wronged you with kindness, even before all the words of forgiveness have been spoken.

Lord, like Joseph I sometimes hide a breaking heart behind a composed face. Work in me the tenderness that moves toward those who have wronged me, even before the words of forgiveness are spoken. Prepare feasts of reconciliation where I expect only distance, and give me the grace to weep, to forgive, and to draw near. Amen.