tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989769941716521546.post148595422145876749..comments2023-05-31T11:01:38.850-05:00Comments on Learning, Teaching, and Laughing: I told you so! TTWB: Genesis 42Doug Hibbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01099486048716032843noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989769941716521546.post-88184381699712998912012-03-25T06:53:00.624-05:002012-03-25T06:53:00.624-05:00Loretta,
Thanks for the comment--and I often leav...Loretta,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment--and I often leave blog comments the same way, sign my name but click "anonymous" either to avoid having to sign up for too much stuff :)<br /><br />It is interesting to try and figure out what everyone thought and felt through all of these events. I think the overall picture here is one of people who make statements that don't really reflect all of who they are, which is often true in a crisis. Jacob's personality does not really show through in what he says--but how often do we react to what someone says in one moment rather than their personality?<br /><br />Looking at people is often that complicated: if you take their statements at the simple, face value of their exact words you get a different picture than if you know them and the story behind the situation. <br /><br />And definitely, once you're out of a situation, figure out what happened and how to avoid it. That's prudence and wisdom.Doug Hibbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01099486048716032843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989769941716521546.post-22726333779189271652012-03-25T02:08:08.438-05:002012-03-25T02:08:08.438-05:00Doug, I found your blog whilst looking for some fa...Doug, I found your blog whilst looking for some facts on if Egypt still give one fifth of their grain to 'Pharaoh' or what would be the government. I would imagine that is no longer the case.<br />Your comments concerning Jacob and Reuben do not take on board their personalities or their past experiences. Both were very emotional, and I think like you I marvelled at the amount of times Jacob said he would go to his grave mourning the death of Joseph, but somehow managed to live through the grief and be reunited with his beloved favourite son. How about Reuben's reaction when he went back to get Joseph and rescue him from the pit, he tore his clothes and said what am I going to do now? He had a real conscience and a love for the boy, but was not brave enough to stand up to his brothers - I think fear possibly. If they were willing to kill Joseph then why not him as well? Both responded emotionally to the pressure in those situations - Jacob the pressure of the head of the family, being responsible for the sons, wives and his grandchildren and the sons although adult, did not have enough discernment to know they had to travel to get food. <br />I think what was in Joseph's mind was wisdom, yes I would not deny he felt angry, resentful and wanted retribution but he definitely was a God fearing man and he would not have carried any revenge through. <br />What I find most remarkable is the fact that although Joseph was used by God to spare the family of Jacob and Egypt [and other parts of the world], he was also used by God to bring the Israelites into slavery. Through the years of the famine, the people sold themselves to Pharaoh, that would have included Joseph's own family. <br />To conclude, your advice is spot on - don't be emotional, solve the problem. I also think that once the problem is solved you do need to look at how you got there to ensure it doesn't happen again [in the same way and that you cover all bases] - [selected anon profile - but leaving my first name anyway - LorettaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com