Scene Ten: Narration (Based on Genesis 42:23 – 44:34)
(Please refer to Director’s Notes at end of play)
1. Joseph turns away and begins to weep bitterly. Before the brothers leave, he hears them talking in their native language about how they feel they are being punished for what they did to him years ago.
2. They were totally unaware that Joseph was standing there before them. He put them in prison for three days on suspicion of spying then sent them all except one, back home to collect Benjamin.
3. Jacob was deeply grieved when they told him that ‘this ruler’ had demanded to see Benjamin before he would release their other brother and give them more food. Reluctantly, and with a broken heart, Jacob allowed Benjamin to go with them on their return journey back to Egypt.
4. After meeting Benjamin, Joseph ran off to cry again as he was overcome with a mixture of emotions. Then he devised a plan to secretly hide one of the King’s silver cups in Benjamin’s sack to make it look like he’d stolen it. He wanted to test his brothers to see if their hearts had changed, for the one found with the cup would be taken as prisoner. Would they let Benjamin be taken because they were jealous of him too? He would indeed now be Jacob’s favourite son, not just because he was Rachel’s other child but because he was the youngest.
5. When Benjamin was finally accused of stealing the cup, the other brothers were terrified. How could they go back home to Jacob without Benjamin? Wasn’t Jacob’s worst fear that something bad would happen to his youngest son? Surely this would bring on the death of their Father.
Scene Ten: “The Appointed Time” (Based on Genesis 42 – 45)
JOSEPH
They look at me unknowingly,
for I am in disguise.
I’m speaking to them harshly
and there’s terror in their eyes.
It’s so strange to see them beg
as they get down on their knees.
ZEBULUN
Prime Minister Sir, look down on us
and show us mercy, please!
ASHER
We are full of sorrow.
GAD
There’s famine in our land.
Our livestock are so hungry,
they’re now eating sand.
SIMEON
You’re the only one
with supplies of grain and flour.
ASHER
We’d be grateful for anything.
DAN
We’re so desperate this hour!
We’ve brought gifts from our father,
So, please don’t take Ben.
REUBEN
If we go back without him,
our father will die then.
ISSACHAR
Something must have happened
when we turned our backs,
for our money was returned.
NAPHTALI
We found it in our sacks!
LEVI
Sir, we know you mistrust us,
but your thoughts are lies.
JUDAH
We plead with you to see
that none of us are spies!
JOSEPH
I cannot bear it any longer!
My tears, I can’t hold back!
I was me who put the goblet,
in your younger brother’s sack!
It’s me, Joseph! It’s me!
Oh, I love you and I forgive.
You meant to do me harm,
But look now! See! I live!
It’s not your fault I’m here,
this was all part of God’s will.
Just look what’s become of
the boy you tried to kill.
(pause)
Despair was planted in me,
but it never had a root.
What was planned for my destruction,
has only borne more fruit.
(Pause as he runs towards the brothers and embraces them one by one –
(He stands with his arms around Benjamin)
JUDAH
None of us can speak!
We are in shock!
Many years have passed,
but God has stopped the clock!
LEVI
None of us can talk.
We are in shame.
For all that you have suffered,
we take all the blame.
NAPHTALI
None of us can breathe.
Our lungs have deflated,
when we think of how much
we have envied and hated!
SIMEON
We are the worst sinners
of the human race,
yet our evil is rewarded
with forgiveness and grace!
GAD
We’ve seen mercy in the flesh
and despite our worthless state,
you’ve lavished upon us
a love that is so great!
JUDAH
Yes, thanks to your mercy,
each one of us survives!
REUBEN
Yes, we are so grateful.
You have saved our lives!
(Joseph raises his arms in peace)
It’s God who’s been so loving –
Now, I want to see my dad.
Go tell him what has happened
and how God’s made me glad.
He’s taken my reproach
and destroyed all my shame.
He’s given me such honour
because I honoured his name.
(pause)
I will not deny
it’s been hard all these years.
(Looks up)
At times, I thought he’d left me
when I had my greatest fears.
But it’s been worth all the suffering,
it’s been worth all the pain,
just to see you once more
and be a family again.
And…to be used by God,
to help restore our land –
The food of the whole earth
has been placed into my hand!
(Turns to face the audience)
Once, I was in a pit,
crying…all alone,
now, I feed the nations
from an Egyptian throne!
My heart bursts within me!
What more can I say?
From birth, God was with me
and he’s been with me all the way!
