Feeling Bad for Reuben

First things first, I have to confess something - I haven't started the exercise part of this Lenten exercise yet.  The reason (really more like an excuse) that I am using is that I have been waiting for the caffeine withdrawal to wear off so that I will feel 100%.  Really, I think I'm just lazy.  But I'll get it there...I can't stay lazy until Easter, can I?

Now, for the forgotten good guy in the story of Joseph.  Joseph's story is told in the second half of the book of Genesis.  Here's a synopsis: Joseph is the favorite son and his brothers are jealous, so his brothers sell him into slavery; Joseph ends up in Egypt where he goes from high level servant to jail to very high level servant; famine hits the land and his brothers are forced to come to Egypt for food and approach Joseph; a happy reunion ensues.

As I read through the story this time, I noticed something that I have never noticed before - not all of the brothers were "in on it," so to speak.  Initially, the brothers were just going to kill Joseph, but one of the brothers - Reuben - intervened and suggested that they throw Joseph in a well.  The story indicates that Reuben intended to come back later and rescue Joseph.  But before Reuben can get back to save his little brother, the other brothers get the bright idea to make a profit by selling Joseph to a band of nomadic traders.  Reuben shows up and is deeply saddened by the turn of events...but then ends up going along with the story given to Joseph's father, Jacob, about Joseph being killed.

What struck me about this is that it goes to show that sometimes the best intentions are thwarted by a desire to "save face."  Reuben was the oldest brother and had he been forceful from the beginning, he could have saved Joseph.  Instead, he tried to do it in a way that would allow him to still look good with his brothers...and Joseph paid the price.  How often does that happen to us?  We want to do something good or to intervene in a wrong, but we want to be subtle and hidden about it; but while we are scheming our way to the perfect plan, things fall apart and we miss our chance.  Maybe it's never happened to you, but it has certainly happened to me.

Of course, the good news - no, the great news - is that God can redeem even our missed opportunities and use them for good, as he did in the story of Joseph.  That's just how amazing God's grace really is.

jB