The Book of Jubilees certainly thinks so. It retells familiar biblical narratives, but with a unique perspective, filling in details and offering its own interpretations. to a snippet from Jubilees 42, which recounts the well-known story of Joseph in Egypt. Remember Joseph? Sold into slavery by his brothers, he rises to power, eventually becoming second-in-command to Pharaoh himself. It’s a classic tale of betrayal, redemption, and divine providence.
In our passage, we’re right in the middle of the famine. Joseph, having wisely foreseen the coming hardship (thanks to those dream-interpretation skills!), had spent the seven years of plenty carefully gathering and storing the land's bounty. “Joseph had gathered the seed of the land in the seven years of plenty and had preserved it.” The weight of responsibility on his shoulders! He wasn’t just managing grain; he was safeguarding the future of an entire nation.
And when the famine hit, the Egyptians, desperate for sustenance, turned to Joseph. "And the Egyptians came to Joseph that he might give them food, and he opened the storehouses where was the grain of the first year, and he sold it to the people of the land for gold."
Notice the practical details here. The Book of Jubilees doesn't shy away from the economic realities of the situation. Joseph isn't just handing out food; he's selling it. It highlights his role not just as a savior, but as a shrewd administrator.
Meanwhile, back in the land of Canaan, things are getting dire. "(Now the famine was very sore in the land of Canaan)," Jubilees tells us, echoing the sense of desperation found throughout the Joseph narrative in Genesis. Jacob, Joseph’s father, hears that there's food available in Egypt. So, what does he do? He sends his ten sons – remember, Joseph's brothers – to procure food. "And Jacob heard that there was food in Egypt, and he sent his ten sons that they should procure food for him in Egypt; but Benjamin he did not send."
Poor Benjamin. He's the youngest, and Jacob is understandably protective of him, especially after having "lost" Joseph years before. The absence of Benjamin in this initial trip sets the stage for even more drama later on.
And then comes the moment of recognition – or rather, the lack thereof. "(The ten sons of Jacob) arrived (in Egypt) among those that went (there.) And Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him."
Can you imagine the scene? Joseph, in his Egyptian finery, a powerful figure, sees his brothers – the very ones who sold him into slavery! – standing before him, begging for food. What must have been going through his mind? The Book of Jubilees doesn't tell us explicitly, but the tension is palpable. It’s a moment thick with irony, foreshadowing the complex emotional and moral reckoning to come.
This little passage from Jubilees 42, like the larger Joseph story, reminds us that even in times of hardship, providence can be at work. And sometimes, the people who hurt us the most end up needing our help. What do we do then? That’s the question Joseph, and perhaps we ourselves, must grapple with.