Joseph's Sin: A Solemn Reminder of Total Depravity

Joseph, the son of Jacob, is a man well-known for his faithfulness to God in the face of temptation and injustice. We are certainly familiar with Genesis 39, accounting his noble response to being improperly approached by Potiphar's wife, and rightly differed the power of dream interpretation to God, rather than claiming it as his own, in the following chapter while in prison. As well, he displayed great mercy over his brothers for selling him into slavery during his childhood.

Unfortunately, although Joseph lived impeccably during his time in Egypt until then, he made a grave error regarding his brothers, prior to their awareness of his identity:

Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain. (Genesis 44)

A bizarre request, which as we know, was intentionally designed to subvert his brothers' caution and invoke a later reaction. Joseph begins walking a fine line at this point, as they are successfully deceived by this "trick":

The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, [the brothers] tore their clothes ... [Joseph said], "The man who was found to have the cup will become my slave." (Genesis 44)

Judah, his elder brother, understandably shocked and disturbed, exclaims:

Please let [me] remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy ... Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father. (Genesis 44)

It is at this point Joseph reveals what I dare call his "practical joke."

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants ... "I am Joseph!" (Genesis 45)

And as we know, all the brothers wept as they realized Joseph was actually alive, and were (after this long, unnecessary charade) finally reconciled. However, we could perhaps excuse Joseph for his antics were it not for this final comment, and loss of self-control, as he sent his brothers away:

He sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them,>! “Don’t quarrel on the way!”!< (Genesis 45:24)

A shockingly lighthearted moment from this "honorable" man, the deputy of Pharaoh himself, following a disturbing sequence of manipulation and deception. Indeed Joseph's pretense as a whole, and one might argue sense of humor, imposed onto his brothers and ultimately us, the readers, is recorded for all time as a testament to the imperfections within each man, no matter how upstanding in life or status, and the depravity of the human heart.

"Oh wretched man that I am. Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord!"