That tension, that feeling of unease even amidst blessing, it's woven right into the fabric of the story of Joseph and his brothers. And in the Book of Jubilees, a retelling of Genesis from around the 2nd century BCE, that tension ratchets up another notch.
We all know the story: Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, rises to power in Egypt. Years later, a famine brings those same brothers, unknowingly, before him seeking grain. Joseph, concealing his identity, tests them, setting the stage for a dramatic reunion. But the Book of Jubilees adds a twist, a layer of psychological drama that makes you wonder just what Joseph was thinking.
After a feast, as the brothers prepare to return home, Joseph instructs his steward. "Pursue them," he says, "run and seize them, saying, 'For good ye have requited me with evil; you have stolen from me the silver cup out of which my lord drinks.'" A silver cup? What’s that all about?
And here's the kicker: Joseph doesn't just want the cup back. He adds, "And bring back to me their youngest brother, and fetch (him) quickly before I go forth to my seat of judgment." Benjamin. The only full brother of Joseph. The one he's clearly fixated on.
Can you imagine the steward, hot on their heels, leveling the accusation? The brothers, shocked, protesting their innocence. "God forbid that thy servants should do this thing, and steal from the house of thy lord any utensil," they declare. The irony is palpable. These are the same men who sold their own brother into slavery! Yet, here they are, indignant at the suggestion of theft.
What's Joseph's game here? Is he simply testing them, pushing them to their limits to see if they’ve truly changed? Or is there something more at play? The Book of Jubilees, while not part of the biblical canon for most Jewish communities, offers a fascinating glimpse into how ancient interpreters grappled with these very questions.
Perhaps, as some scholars suggest, Joseph is acting out a divine drama, mirroring God's own tests of humanity. Or maybe, on a more human level, he's wrestling with his own trauma, unable to fully trust these men who caused him so much pain. He needs to be absolutely sure, to the point of putting them through an excruciating ordeal.
Whatever the reason, this episode highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions – revenge, forgiveness, suspicion, and longing all swirling together. The Book of Jubilees, through this added layer of intrigue, reminds us that even in stories we think we know well, there are always deeper currents to explore. What price, we might ask ourselves, is too high to pay for the truth? And how do we ever truly know if someone has changed?