January 21- The Guilt Trip

January 21, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10

Out damn'd spot...Who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?

 ~Lady Macbeth

Genesis 42:18-43:34

Have you ever done something wrong and then felt guilty about it? In Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth derides her husband for feeling guilty for murdering King Duncan in order to secure the throne, but later while sleep walking through the castle she sleep talks and reveals that she, too, is plagued with guilt over their sin.

In today's reading Joseph's brothers are plagued with guilt over what they did in the past to their brother.  Having gone to Egypt in order to buy grain for their family, Joseph speaks harshly to them and tells them that he will keep one of the brothers while the rest go back to their home to retrieve the youngest brother.

Joseph overhears as the brothers talk in their native tongue about why this is happening to them.  They say that it is because of what they did to their brother Joseph.  They recount how they saw his terror and anguish and heard his pleadings, and yet did nothing to help him.  They are remorseful and guilty.  Joseph is overcome with emotion and leaves the room to cry.  The wounds are deep from this abusive situation.


Joseph comes back and announces that he will keep Simeon, but the brothers should not return unless they have the younger brother Benjamin.  They pay for some grain to get home, but Joseph has the money put back in their sacks.  The brothers leave on their guilt trip.

At home Jacob refuses to let Benjamin leave.  Time passes and they are all starving, so Jacob relents and allows Benjamin to go to Egypt.  Both Reuben and Judah, out of guilt, offer to sacrifice their sons or themselves if anything happens to Benjamin.  Jacob is resolved that even if he never sees Benjamin or Simeon again, he will bear the anguish of the loss.  He prays that God Almighty will have mercy on them.  He also advises that they take gifts to the governor in Egypt. Here we go on another guilt trip back to Egypt.

Once they are back in Egypt, the brothers are fearful when they learn that they will be eating with Joseph.  They bow low before him and offer their gifts.  Joseph asks about their father and then sees Benjamin, gives him a blessing, and rushes out of the room overcome with emotion.

The brothers are shocked when they are seated in order of age at the table and Benjamin is given five times the amount of food than the others.  Joseph does not eat with them because Egyptians despise Hebrews. They feast and drink, freely.

How would you treat your siblings if they had thrown you in a pit, ignored your cries for help and then sold you into slavery? 

Lesson:  Joseph is one of the most Christ-like figures in the Bible.  If I had one millionth of the grace, faith, wisdom, courage to feel sad,  and perspective that Joseph had I would be a fortunate person.

Matthew 13:47-14:12

In this final parable Jesus once again pictures the Kingdom of Heaven as a fish net that drags in both good and bad fish.  They are separated at the end of the age by the angels who throw the ungodly into the fire. With this final parable Jesus asks the disciples if they understand.  They say that they do.

Back in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus goes to teach in the synagogue.  The local townspeople ask, "Isn't that Mary's son?"  They also wonder aloud what makes him so great. This is a sarcastic statement.

Jesus tells them that a prophet is never honored in his own town or in his own family.  As a result of the lack of faith in Nazareth, Jesus does very few miracle there.  Notice how Jesus is not phased when people do not believe in Him.  He simply moves on.  His parables have indicated that everything will be settled at the end of time.  No reason to freak out now. He has perspective.

John the Baptist has been beheaded by Herod, who was trying to impress his guests at a banquet and promises to give Herodias' daughter whatever she requests.  She requests John's head on a platter.  Herod obviously feels guilty about having beheaded John.  He is now concerned that Jesus is a reincarnated John the Baptist who has come back to haunt him.

Psalm 18:16-36

Christ is blameless.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  This is good to remember when listening to Jesus'  parables. This psalm also gives perspective on how the wicked will be punished in the end. Remember that the bad fish will be separated from the good fish and be burned.

Proverbs 4: 7-10

Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton