Weeping Loudly - Genesis 45:2

And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.

Joseph wept loudly.  The austere ruler was reduced to sobbing tears.  The man that ruled Egypt’s economy, being second only to the Pharaoh, finally had all his pent up emotions overpower his ability to contain them and it all came out.  Even those he had ordered out of his presence so they would not be party to what humanly would appear like weakness became aware of his uncontrollable and intense crying.

In Genesis chapter 44, verse 14, we are told that this scene takes place in Joseph’s house.  Yet here in chapter 45, verse 2, we read that not only his own household servants that had been released from his presence heard his crying, but also “the household of Pharaoh heard of it”.  We don’t know the distance between the two structures but we know news of something uncommon travels very quickly.  I don’t assume those in Pharaoh’s house actually heard the wailing, but they soon heard ‘about’ it.  There is no way that such a dramatic event and ultimate change in our own lives can be kept a secret.

Joseph had done very well for himself all these years.  He had taken care of his desires for power and the wealth he had dreamed about as a young man.  Yet, this occurrence demonstrates the fact that he still had needs.  Above all, there was his craving for the love and trust of his own family.  That is something basic to all of us.  If truth be known and accepted, it is a basic essential to life.  How are we doing in that category?  Do we realize how crucial that is or are we satisfied in keeping our distance from estranged family members?  If the latter, I pray that we, like Joseph, will allow God to work circumstances in a way that ends that defensive satisfaction.  I pray we will have our pent up emotions cause us to lose our control in a way that heals and binds us to the love and trust of those we are meant to love unconditionally.

Sometimes though, as in Joseph’s case, our needs for such essentials to life are not evident to us.  We, like Joseph, have the tendency to become self-centered and independent, focusing on those things that are before us and over which we have more or total control.  The busyness of being involved with those things clouds the matter of our broken relationships and shifts it into the background of our mind.  It was not until Joseph’s brothers appeared, that he was reminded of his loneliness and sadness as a result of what had transpired years ago.  Can you identify with that?  Do you know anybody like that?  I do.  I hope we never lose the ability to allow God’s Holy Spirit to change us and make us lose our own control of ourselves so He can mold us in accordance with his wonderful plans for us.

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