10 "No, my lord," they answered. "Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies." (The Message)
Because we know the story we believe this statement from the brothers is not true. They have been living a lie for many years from the time they went home and told their father that Joseph had been killed by wild animals. Maybe they have been telling the story long enough that they have come to believe it themselves. Yes, they might not be spies, but at what point could we say that they are honest men? Have they changed over the years and become honest in all they do and say? Have they been trying to make up for the violence done toward Joseph and the pain they have put their father through by doing the right things?
But what if they really are honest men now? At what point can the past be forgiven, if not forgotten, and we can accept them now as they are rather than as they once were? Is it at the same point that we can accept who we are and not who we once were?
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- How might the way the brothers treated Joseph have defined the way they saw themselves?
- Do you think the brothers saw themselves as honest or were they trying to put on a good show?
- Do you know someone whose actions in the past continue to define them no matter what they do today?
- What do you need to set aside from your past so that you can truly be the person you are now and not who you were then?
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