Saturday, May 15, 2010

Entry 26 Reading Day 23

Genesis 42 and 43

Dear Reader,

Today had an inauspicious beginning. I woke up with a terrible sinus headache and missed an event I hoped to cover for examiner.com. However, as is typical with me, I rallied as the day wore on. Now I'm feeling pretty perky despite its being quarter of midnight. I think I am nocturnal by nature. All that aside, I read two chapters today.

In chapter 43, Joseph still has not revealed to his brothers who he is, even though at one point he is weeping out of their site. He released Simeon to them, but then goes and plays a mean trick.

He puts the money back along with a silver cup in the saddle bags of the youngest brother. I understand that he's upset, but there has to be limit as far as acceptable social behavior. Accusing someone of stealing when they took nothing is beyond mine. If Joseph doesn't watch himself, I fear he will receive a similar comeuppance to the one his brother received. This I can say because I'm sure God doesn't ignore these things. Even from someone who serves Him faithfully.

In chapter 44, Joseph actually has his servants go and pursue his brothers and accuse them of stealing which of course they deny because they weren't aware of the trick. The oldest, being the most responsible by designation, quickly says that he will take Benjamin's place as Joseph's servant. That's where I left the story. I hope, although I'm not sure, that at this point Joseph will confess his transgression and reveal his identity.

Being a poet, I cannot resist noting, although it may be a bit off topic, two really beautiful turns of phrase. Both of them occurred when the oldest was describing his father. The first is "sorrow for the grave." I think this means either that the father will be so sorrowful that his youngest is being made to serve Joseph and he will die upon hearing the news or that he will go to his grave sad because of what happened. I don't know why this particular piece of language struck me as so important, but it did and I felt like noting it. The second phrase is "Lest, per adventure I see the evil that shall come upon my father." I gather that this means his father will be very angry with him over losing Benjamin to Joseph's servitude. I think it sounds prettier than just saying "My father will be angry withe me."

I hope my little poetic interjection hasn't bore you. However, I'm not just a lay Christian reading the Bible from cover to cover. I'm also a poet and occasionally my poet's voice will intersect with this blog. If it bothers you terribly, you can go find someone else who is also attempting to read the Bible from cover to cover and document it.

1 comment:

  1. Cover to cover is quite a task. I just pick it up and read a few pages at a time now..........and the language is wonderful sometimes.....

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