Last week, we saw that Joseph recognized a group of ten brothers who had come to Egypt to buy grain. These were his brothers! He accused them of being spies and he threatened to keep one brother in prison while sending the others home to bring the youngest brother back.

Fearfully, they confessed to each other that this distress must have come upon them because of their misdeed to Joseph years ago. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph can understood their language. As they continued to fuss among themselves, Joseph heard oldest brother Reuben speak.

“Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” Genesis 42:22

Dear Reuben. Remember he was the one who tried to rescue Joseph from the pit.

Joseph was touched by these confessions and by Reuben’s reprimand. He turned away from his brothers as tears filled his eyes. At least they recognized their wrongdoing, but Joseph wanted to see his younger brother, Benjamin, so he proceeded with his plan.

He chose to hold Simeon.

He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Joseph gave orders [in his Egyptian language] to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded the grain on their donkeys and left. Genesis 42:24-26

Simeon was held back in prison for many days and nights, hoping his brothers would return. It’s interesting that Joseph chose Simeon.

To get an idea of Simeon’s character, we can search a seldom mentioned story centered around the only sister, Dinah. (Genesis 34.) She had sneaked off to visit the nearby city of the Hivites and became involved with the ruler’s number one son, Shechem. When he asked what he could do to have Dinah as his wife, Jacob’s sons said he and all the men of Shechem would have to be circumcised. They agreed to this concession.

While the newly circumcised men were still weak and in pain from this procedure, two of Joseph’s brothers went into the town and killed every male. One of those two murderers was Simeon. We aren’t told, but I’m wondering if Simeon might also have been outspoken the day the brothers were persuaded to do away with 17-year-old Joseph.

If ruthlessness was one of Simeon’s character traits, he would now have an opportunity to think about his life, be convicted, and repent of his wrong doings. Or, Simeon might have remained true to his character and burned with rage, begrudging this unfortunate imposition.

It is worth considering what we do with opportunities that come our way to undo poor character traits we find in ourselves. Do we learn our lessons or grow belligerent at getting caught?

When the brothers get home, what character traits will they find repeated in their father, Jacob? (Next week!)

~ Joyce ~