Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. (Genesis 42:22-23)
Can you imagine living in the grip of fear?
Can you imagine being party to something truly wicked and living with that for the rest of your life? It would haunt every future act and circumstance. When ten of Jacob’s remaining sons have an encounter with the man in charge of Egypt storehouse, their treatment gives them the thought that perhaps this is punishment for their mistreatment of their missing brother. Something that had happened years ago had now returned with a vengeance and threatens the fragile existence of the family.
Jacob’s devotion to the sons of Rachel is evidently a big issue here too. His refusal to compromise out of fear of losing the last connection to his true love is so tragic.
The story has a glorious ending, we know. Yet in the meantime there is still the issue of what to do when we live with the fear of reprisal. What do we do with those ugly secrets we keep hidden. What do we do with the wrong we’ve done whether recently or long ago?
The key is apparently to sort it out to bring about righteousness sooner, or there’s a real likelihood that it could be a shadow looming over you and inhibiting you and those around you possibly for the rest of your life.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 