Genesis 42 (The Baton Passes On)

We were going to have a bonfire last night.
We did in fact have a bonfire last night.
Well a semi-bonfire.
Of sorts.
In that there was fire.
There was a burst of heat.
For a bit.
But not long enough for some of the weaker (until they hit you) gender.
It was an immense stack of branches and old sleepers and grass clippings and burnable stuff.
Unfortunately due to the abundance of precipitation over the last few weeks, it had become somewhat sodden.
Kero had some effect for a while.
Cardboard aided as best to could.
Our gum tree was stripped of bark on one side for some improved longevity of flame.
But in the end it was just too much.
Marshmellows were cooked with care and with varying techniques.
The littler kids loved the burst of eucalyptus leaves combusting.
But that was it.
It was dead before we went to bed.
The mangled mess of half burnt sticks still a heap in the back yard.
As I stood on one of the exposed sleepers I saw the culprit.
It was truly well hidden.
Deep.
Down.
Well not too deep, the remaining stack was probably only half a metre high by now.
Try again.
It was truly well hidden as deep as possible but less than 50 centimetres deep.
As the pressure from my svelte, sculptured body pressed down on the timber,
(again strictly not true but work with me people, work with me)
a rush of water flowed from the base of the heap.
It flowed.
And it flowed.
And didn't really stop.
It was water.
No wonder the stupid stuff didn't burn.

Genesis 42
How much did Jacob's loss of Joseph mean to him?
So much that he never lost sight of his youngest son, Benjamin.
For years he lived with the grief of Joseph's loss.
Do you think his other sons ever saw this?
Do you think that ever pricked their consciences?
How many times do you think they relived that afternoon?
Painful?
I think so.
Sorry?
I think so.
And now they arrive in Egypt broken men.
Broken by guilt.
Broken by the pain they brought their father.
Broken by the drought.

God's provision for his people has come at some personal cost.
It easy to see the cost to Joseph because it is so clearly spelled out.
The cost to his family less obvious.
But by jiminy cricket there was some cost to his family.

He makes his brothers sweat a little.
Accuses them of spying.
Accuses them of lying.
Messes with the heads of shattered men.
Unfair really.
He makes them relive what has haunted them for years.

It would appear that Jacob has lost sight of God.
His devotion has become that for Benjamin and his lost son.
There appears little forgiveness towards his older sons.

I hope there is a happy ending coming up soon ;)