Why Didn’t Joseph Contact his Father?
Some wonder: did Joseph forget his father’s love? Why didn’t he make a decided effort, after being the second in command in Egypt, to contact his father. Jacob would have been thrilled to hear from Joseph instead of mourning him thinking that he was dead?
Without a doubt Joseph had a deep desire to see his own father and family. Joseph was not busy with his new role as a commander, instead he characterized the land of Egypt as the land of afflictions after naming his second son Ephraim (Genesis 41:52). It was not possible that Joseph would forgot his father’s tender love and the godly atmosphere that surrounded him when he was raised up. Joseph’s heart was full of love and tenderness for this was very clear by the way he treated his brothers who sold him into slavery without pity or remorse.
Possible Reasons
It is possible that Pharaoh rejected Joseph’s appeals to leave the land of Egypt and go to see his father, feeling that Joseph’s work was of greater importance to all the Egyptians and much was at stake according to the dreams that were given to Pharaoh of the seven years of famine that will come upon the land. Pharaoh may have felt that there was no time to waste in personal pursuits but that Joseph needed to use every opportunity to prepare for the times of great distress ahead. The destiny of the Egyptian empire was to be decided in the first 7 years of abundance. Therefore, not even one day should be lost to prepare for the 7 years of famine.
Or, it is possible that the Lord may have impressed Joseph that a future time will come when he will meet his family and that he must wait patiently to God’s perfect timing and not take matters into his own hands. God always has the perfect moment to reveal His good purposes (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
The Lord has been leading Joseph all through his life and He directed events by His providence to fulfill Joseph’s dreams that he had when he was only a youth in his father’ home. So, Joseph had to trust in God’s leading and be patient. If God chose to place him in Egypt, in Egypt he would stay. He learned to rely completely on God’s plans and not on his own ideas. God’s Word teaches, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
