Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/329

Rh did he give to all this. Simply and frankly he offered himself, in order that the old father might at least be spared the sorrow of losing his beloved Benjamin. It is one of the noblest acts in all literature and history, Judah thus offering himself for the sake of his father and his brother. It was just the reverse of the sentiment which had prompted the brothers when, regardless of the old man's happiness, they had ruthlessly sold Joseph as a slave into Egypt. It proved how completely Judah and his brothers had changed.

Joseph needed no further proof. Weeping he threw himself into their arms, exclaiming, "I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?" And when his startled brothers, still fearing Joseph's vengeance, hastened to confess their guilt, he reassured them with the significant words, the thought running through the entire story, "It was not you that sent me hither, but God; for God did send me before you to preserve life". God's hand was in the whole event, for a wonderful purpose of good. So Joseph forgave his brothers and they were once more united in true, brotherly love. We are reminded of the inspiring sentence from the wise Book of Proverbs,

So it was throughout the entire story of Joseph. Hatred and envy had stirred up much strife, and, as is always the case, had brought sorrow and pain to all; but at last true love had covered all transgressions, and had caused all wrongs which Joseph had done to his brothers and they to him, to be forgiven and forgotten. We understand now how truly hatred, even when the wrong be real and great, is the part of folly, and brings only strife and sorrow, and that forgiveness is always the part of wisdom and love. And though it be one of the hardest lessons in life, let us still \n