Genesis 42 & 43. Today’s reading feels much like a drama; filled with emotion. Deep pain, sadness,and trauma. Today’s reading would make for a profound movie. Complete with family trauma and showing Joseph coming full circle through the lifelong pain he’s held.
Chapter 42 and 43 show Joseph’s true heart, as he offers, grace and compassion to people who hurt him incredibly. Yet, understandably so, he reveals the level of pain and anger, in mild passive aggressiveness/ or even righteous justification for the evil deeds of his brothers. Despite his hurt and big traumatic emotions, he made sure they had plenty of food on their return back, and provided an abundance of silver and provisions. However, he is also working very intelligently to seemingly bring to light the dark secret in the family.
Numbers 32:23 says “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Our sins will find us out!
Could Joseph be placing his brothers in a position where they fear having to tell the truth about their sinful and deceptive acts towards him in the past?
In these two chapters we see Joseph’s heart more in depth; We see deep-rooted hurt, intense pain, trauma, and weeping. We see a real man, in a powerful position processing past trauma.
When Joseph sees his brothers he is able to hold himself together. However, during discussions about his younger brother, he has to turn away and weep. This is grief! This is love for his little brother, Benjamin.
In chapter 43, the brothers return with the youngest brother Benjamin. Upon seeing the youngest brother, Joseph has to leave the area to a private room. This is profound! This shows the depth of the pain that he’s been carrying for many years. What a powerful two chapters! Powerful and extremely moving.
As a counselor and as an individual who’s faced much hardship from my own family of origin, it isn’t hard for me to truly empathize with Joseph’s tears. In fact, tears fell from my eyes as I read about Joseph weeping. There’s no pain, like pain from a family who blatantly rejects, abandons, and betrays you.
Have you faced a hardship in your life that has led you to have to turn away and weep? Have you ever had to leave an environment to escape to a separate room, because your emotions were overwhelming? I’ve been in this position many times in my life.
This is trauma! This is hardship! This is pain! These are the painful life circumstances that leave permanent marks on our spirit.
For Joseph, being sold into slavery and rejected by his brothers, having to leave the family he cherished against his will, facing prison, pain, and tremendous lifelong wounds; This is trauma at an intense level.
Thankfully, God is the almighty counselor! There is healing found in Jesus Christ! We can trust that God has an amazing plan and will prepare a plan that allow us to heal. Healing is a spiritual journey!
Blessings,
Crystal Ridlon, LPC
The Flame Within 
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