Joseph of Egypt

My dear Elders of Christ,

I do not know why I am writing this letter, except that the Lord asked me to. 

I'd like to discuss Joseph of Egypt, specifically his brothers. As the story goes, Joseph was asked to find his brothers so that he could return and report on their welfare.

Ruben said that he was annoying and a dreamer and had him thrown in a pit. Perhaps for hours the young lad pleaded for release but got none. Ruben was angry with Joseph the birthright son and wanted to punish him. 

Well, he leaves for a time and when he returns the pit is empty. Ruben is freaking out. "WHERES THE KID!" 

The other brothers look sheepishly at him. Judah finally pipes up. "Sold him..." 

"SOLD HIM? WHO HAD THAT GREAT IDEA?" Ruben is now angry as every eye shifts to Judah. 

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

"In my defense, Simeon wanted to kill him so I talked him out of it and... Well, we sold him."

Ruben's eyes shift to Simeon.

Simeon looks like he doesnt care. "What... He's annoying and I've killed for less. Judah saved him and we got a pretty coin for it." Ruben looks Judah in the eye and points out that if he spends the money their father will question it and find out what they all did. The blood drains from his face as he realizes the situation.

Simeon talks about how they took the coat, talks about how Joseph taught them tooth and nail, tearing the coat to shreds, and then shows the remains. Ruben advises how they can cover their sin and explain away the assault on Joseph.

Years pass and their father isn't the man he was. Ruben has tried to lead the family but without the Spirit it is difficult. The secret is a pact that the brothers keep but the guilt is a festering wound. Thankfully the Lord is in the details and the famine comes. They hear of food in Egypt and Jacob sends his sons minus Benjamin.

In Egypt, they meet the governor, a harsh man who speaks through an interpreter. Secretly, this is Joseph. He wants to see if they are changed, men. He makes a deal after calling them spies Judah attempts to use the silver he has had this whole time, hoping his sin money will save his family. Simeon is kept in Egypt to ensure that they all will keep their word and at dinner before they leave, Ruben is beginning to see the Lord's hand in the predicament and points out that they would not have been in this situation if they had been good to Joseph, and that this is God's punishment. They leave Simeon as they head home telling their father that they cannot return next time without Benjamin. Judah discovers the Mideanite money, the 30 pieces of silver he tried to get rid of, are in his sack along with all the rest of the money. He panics harder than his brothers who see their money also in their sacks.

When they arrive home their father is furious and confused by the governor's request and generosity. For the next two years, they will be conservative and ration the food as best as they can.

Meanwhile, Simeon is a hot head in jail. Daily the governor visits him without an interpreter saying nothing. Simeon at first is angry. He curses his brothers, his father, Egypt, the governor, and the famine. At night, he cries himself to sleep but over time he remembers his God and verbally prays for forgiveness and release. Joseph can only watch.

When the brothers return, it has taken everything they have to convince Jacob to let Benjamin go.  Ruben is a leader who has lost his spirit. Judah is haunted by the money and what it represents. Simeon has been in prison and feels forgotten. All the brothers must go yet through one more test.

When they arrive in Egypt again they pay for food. The governor is harsh and stages a theft. He doesn't know Judah and Ruben have sworn by the lives of their own sons that Benjamin will return. When the theft is announced, the brothers say that the thief should die not knowing it's Benjamin. 

He is immediately seized and carried off to Egypt to die. All the brothers beg and plead for mercy for Rachel's son, Benjamin. Joseph marvels. These men have repented. These men value life, covenants, freedom, and have become selfless.

Joseph cane bare no more. He has cried seeing the changes over and over. He prayed that they would change. He begged the Lord to soften their hearts and here they are, not making demands but weeping for mercy. Joseph sends his servants out and in perfect Hebrew says "Tell me the story of Joseph son of Israel." 

The men stop their crying.  Confused they still do not see him as he is so he, like the Savior by the way in Damascus, announced who he is.  The brothers are overcome with joy.  Ruben apologizes for the pit, Judah for the sale giving him the silver and Simeon pauses.

Simeon says, "You knew me the whole time. You heard my prayers. I cussed and swore, ranted and raved. You said nothing. I should be angry." Tears fall from Simeon's eyes. "You put me through hell and I had to learn to rely on the Lord..." There's a long pause.

Finally, he speaks. "Thank you, Joseph. The Lord has tried to humble me for so long. I'm so it took so long. That I had to be a half-starved jailed man when I could have been free."

Ruben approaches and says, " I thought you would be selfish with your birthright.; that you would rub it in my face that you were the favorite, but you never did, you never have. Truly you're a great man, Joseph.

Finally, Judah says "I'm sorry. In so sorry for selling you like a piece of trash. I should have seen your true value as God sees it."

Now brethren, to keep this from being too long, let me say, the family is reunited, but the lessons are not forgotten.

Brethren, God is in the details. He has put you where you are because of who you are, and that is valiant men; virtuous men. No matter your circumstances I want you to know, God is with you and has a covenant love for you. 

I also ask for your forgiveness for my weakness in writing. I hope the Holy Ghost conveys the message in the Spirit it is meant. Finally, God be with you till we meet again. Your two-year absence and sacrifice are not dismissed or forgotten. 

I pray for you and your saints; your new friends and old ones. I pray for your parents who get to call you and hear your voice. Be good and an example of the Savior daily is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nate Bingham