Subject: Why did Joseph pick Simeon to imprison? |
Bible Note: Hank, Thanks again for availing us of your resources. I heard Dr. McGee say that on the radio years ago and wondered if an idea I'd written to him had made any impression worthy of a change in one of his later re-recordings or possibly the commentaries. NOT! That may sound conceited, but I'd heard him read questions from listeners, at least one of which had him stumped. He even asked his audience for ideas on that one. It was a good question - and still is, but that's on another subject. One of many things about Dr. McGee that gives his ministry such appeal, (even via recorded broadcasts after his death), is his attention to detail. As this example shows, seemingly no minutia was too small for his international radio voice. He dug out the little pockets of nuggets as well as the mother lode. My idea was that Joseph chose to imprison Simeon rather than Reuben, the oldest brother, because Reuben had reminded his brothers, (in front of Joseph whom they thought could not understand their language), that he'd tried to spare Joseph, who hadn't known this before since Reuben hadn't fought for his release; although he might have done more if he'd been present when the deal was made with the Midianite slave traders. So Joseph spared Reuben and jailed the second eldest brother, Simeon. Billy Graham once said he marveled that Hollywood had never made a serious blockbuster extravaganza out of the story of Joseph, since it has everything it takes for a great drama. Maybe it's because Joseph so vividly compares to Christ. It's more like a mirror than a type or shadow, from his foretold and fulfilled destiny to his betrayal and sale for silver pieces, to his purity, to his forgiveness and salvation of his traitorous brethren, who just happen to be the genealogical forbears of a lot of Hollywood bigwigs. (100 words in this "main message" synopsis paragraph, including parenthetics) You know, if the Midianites had kidnapped Joseph before he found his brothers in the wilderness that day, they might never have had the extreme conviction which finally led them to repentance and made them worthy to be blessed by their father Jacob as patriarchs for the nation of Israel. Joseph too was able to forgive when he saw that they were remorseful over what they'd done. Restate |