Scene Eleven: Narration (Based on Genesis 44 & 45)
Joseph urged his brothers to hurry back to the land of Canaan to tell their father that he was alive and now the ruler over the land of Egypt. He wanted them to bring him back quickly and promised them that they will live in a good part of the land where he will take care of them, as there was still 5 more years of the famine to come. He embraced his brother Benjamin and wept on his neck, then did the same with the rest of his brothers.
When Pharoah found out what had happened, he was very pleased and promised to give them the best parts of the land. Before their journey back, Joseph loaded them up with gifts for his father which included, 10 male donkeys 10 female donkeys and large supplies of grain. When the brothers arrived back in Canaan, they told Jacob what had happened. He was so shocked that his heart almost stopped beating. Jacob was overjoyed and declared, (this is spoken by Jacob himself – from offstage)
“Joseph my son is still alive! I will go and see him before I die!”
Scene Eleven: “Jacob Rejoices” (Based on Genesis 44 & 45)
JACOB
I cannot speak, I’m lost for words,
my mind is in a haze.
I cannot move, my legs are stuck,
all I can do is praise.
He who fashioned the ear, really hears!
He who fashioned the eye, saw my tears!
He who made the heart, is really kind!
God gives the tormented, peace of mind!
(Joseph runs towards him and they embrace)
When I heard you were killed by an animal,
so many, many years ago,
I was as good as dead and I bowed my head.
It was such a heavy blow!
Then your brothers came and told me
that you were alive and well.
My knees buckled at the news
and to the ground, I fell.
As you can imagine,
this was such a shocking greeting.
When Judah told me you weren’t dead,
my battered heart stopped beating.
Then I became revived
and fell to the ground once more,
this time, to thank my God
for what he had in store.
When I received the ten male donkeys,
and the large supplies of grain,
I was grateful, but it meant nothing,
compared to seeing you again!
Oh Joseph, how I love you!
How I’m overcome with joy,
to have found my precious son!
My darling Rachel’s boy!
Now I can die in peace,
for I have seen your face.
Never has such a happy man
stood right here, in this place!
He who fashioned the ear, really hears!
He who fashioned the eye, saw my tears!
He who made the heart, is really kind!
God gives the tormented, peace of mind!
