Free Till Shiloh Comes by Gilbert Morris Page A

it?”
    â€œOf course I mean it.”
    Joseph kissed Benjamin’s tearstained face, and his heart gave a tug. He had asked his father halfheartedly if Benjamin could accompany him, but Jacob had almost exploded. “Both of you at once! No, never!” It had been as Joseph had expected, but at least he had tried.
    He gave the boy one final hug, then stood up and looked to where the three donkeys were waiting. Two of them were loaded down with cheese, dates, baked bread, and all the delicacies Joseph and Jacob could find. Jacob was standing to one side of the donkeys, his eyes filled with apprehension. Joseph went to him and said, “Promise you will not worry about me, my father.”
    â€œHow can I help it?” Jacob said, his voice breaking. “It is in my heart now to change my mind.”
    â€œOh no, don’t say that,” Joseph said quickly, and his mind raced to explain why he should go. “It is our one chance to restore my relationship with my brothers. Please do not rob me of this, Father.” It took some pleading, for Jacob was indeed capable of stubbornly calling the entire journey off. Joseph spoke quickly and glowingly about what a glorious success the trip was going to be. Finally, when Jacob began to relent, Joseph quickly said, “I must go before the sun gets any higher. I’ll be back in just a few days.”
    Jacob opened his arms, and the tall young man embraced him. Joseph was shocked at how his father clung to him, almost as a small child clings to his father. He knew his father loved him dearly, but being seventeen years old, he had no fears for the future. When Jacob finally released him, he leaped on the donkey, waved to the two concubines and Leah, who stood watching silently. They did not look happy, but then they seldom did.
    â€œI’ll give your sons all your good wishes, good mothers,” he called and kicked the donkey in the side. The animal started forward, and Joseph waved until the village faded behind him. He took one last look at his father, who seemed at that moment more pitiful and vulnerable than Joseph had ever seen him. The sight shocked him, but with the exuberance of youth, he said, “I will bring him back a good report and make him happy.”
    Jacob trembled as he watched his beloved son and the donkeys fade from view. He felt a touch on his hand and looked down to see Benjamin by his side. He took the boy’s hand and squeezed it, then knelt down and put his arm around him.
    Benjamin said, “Everything will be all right, Father. He’ll be home in just a few days.”
    â€œYes. Just a few days, and I will see my son again—and you will see your brother.”
    â€œJoseph said he would take me on a journey, a very short one. Will that be all right, Father?”
    â€œYes. That will be fine. I promise.”
    The two stood watching the empty horizon, where only a thin puff of dust marked Joseph’s trail. Benjamin went away to play, but the old man stood there staring, his heart filled with such dread and turbulence he could not bear it.
    ****
    Joseph was excited to be journeying to Shechem alone. As soon as he was out of sight of his father, he stopped the donkeys, rummaged through the bag of his things, and got out the coat of many colors. He shook it out and was delighted with the flashing rainbow of light it made. He slipped into it, then mounted the donkey, and kicked the animal forward.
    He encountered several travelers throughout the day, and all of them turned their eyes to stare at the young prince who wore such a beautiful coat that glimmered in the sun like golden fire.
    Joseph was pleased with the impression he made and thought more about that than about the mission he was on. His conscience bothered him slightly for not obeying his father’s order to leave the coat at home. But, as always, young Joseph in all his glory found a way of rationalizing his decision to go his own way, and as