"....to rid him of his hated nephew. Once embarked upon the ocean of crime, one must sail on through all the rocks and quicksands; a straight course is impossible. Already in his fertile brain and treacherous heart a scheme of cruel and underhand vengeance is being planned; his only doubt is whether this generous, and seemingly noble-minded, youth will consent to be his instrument in carrying it out. So much more tractable is Laertes now than when, but a little while since, he rudely burst in upon the royal presence at the head of a riotous mob, that he consents to be ruled by the King so long as he does not "overrule" him "to a peace." The scheme, which in so short a time has grown "ripe" in the "device" of Claudius, answers every end required — it is sure, it is safe, involving no danger or blame to those who execute it: But even his mother shall uncharge the practise And call it accident." On the plot of Claudius to have Laertes kill Hamlet in A Study of Hamlet by Frank A. Marshall)"
Joseph has been more than willing to roam over sixty miles from home looking for his brothers. This reflects his obedient characteristic to please his father. One does not know how much insight Joseph had into his brothers' hatred of him. It was obviously not completely understood by Jacob or he would have probably not risked the life of Joseph. But there along the trade routes to Egypt the plot is hatched to throw Joseph in a pit and let him die. The brothers will perjure themselves with their father and say that they brother was attacked by an animal. In order to ensure that they would continue on with their father "to a peace" (have a peaceful existence) as Laertes wanted in Hamlet, they would call their actions an accident when they reported the brother's fate to Jacob. When Jacob got the news he placed himself in sackcloth and ashes to mourn the loss of his son in a contrite and humble manner. Before God all the evil propensities of Jacob's life and this world were confessed that may have led to the loss of his son.
I remember talking to a father once. He was so upset over his daughter's involvement with a man of questionable integrity that he tore his shirt and mourned openly at his inability to save her from what he saw as a terrible fate. Such grief laced with inability to counter evil is very deep within the soul.
This is certainly a part of the agony God's Son felt in the garden as he was called to deal with such evil. Those spoken words of "if it be Thy will, let this cup pass from me" portrayed how great the evil propensities of the brothers of Jesus were. We must ever praise the Father for so great a gift given to a world "so loved".
"Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified"
William Newell, 1895
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment