As we close the church year, it might be of some interest to read Luther's
brief comparison of Joseph's brothers' surprise when they learn he is alive
with the church's expected surprise at the return of Christ.
Genesis 45:3. But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed
at his presence.
"That sudden manifestation of Joseph, contrary to every thought and
expectation of his brothers, aroused such great joy in their hearts that they
were benumbed by fear and joy at one and the same time and almost died. The
soul is something more excellent than the body; nor can the body bear the
height of such agitation and joy. But what the soul is speculatively, or, as
the philosophers say, metaphysically, we cannot know; but from6 its emotions
and fruits we know that it is something very noble and wonderful, so real and
powerful that the body cannot endure its force. Just as the body has to die
when extraordinary and excessive grief of heart exercises dominion over a man,
so the same thing happens in excessive joy, as very many examples in the
histories of the Gentiles testify.7
Joseph and his brothers felt such emotions, and he himself undoubtedly was
close to death because of the powerful affection of his heart. Consequently,
he can say nothing more-except that his tears continue to flow.
Accordingly, the power of the soul is so great that when it alone rules,
the body with all its senses-sight, hearing, feeling, etc.-is benumbed. It is
a wonderful little creature. Speculatively, of course, it is easily defined by
Aristotle, who says: "The soul is the chief motive force of the body,
organic, physical, etc."8 But he cannot express what it is-except only
objectively. But to understand or feel the soul, so far as its feelings and
most powerful emotions are concerned, is a matter of practical knowledge, not
of knowledge that is speculative and objective, as when boundless joy seizes
and nearly kills the body, or when tears flow from the eyes for joy.
Concerning this the monks and the votaries write a great deal: that nothing
is sweeter than tears of joy, but, on the contrary, nothing is sadder and
bitterer than the weeping of those who mourn.9 Therefore the soul is something
wonderful and is unknown to us.
Accordingly, I give this warning in order that we may not look at this
manifestation of Joseph only in passing but may consider the great affection
of the heart by which both Joseph and his brothers were benumbed. I would not
know how I should have reacted when he said: "I am Joseph." Nor do
they know. What will happen, then, when our Lord and Savior JESUS Christ
comes, who also disciplines us in various ways in this life and allows us to
be troubled, scourged, killed, etc.? What great joy there will be after that
sudden and unexpected change, since we previously felt that He was a very
harsh tyrant who wanted to destroy everyone in a trice! Then He will say:
"I am Joseph; I am your Savior."
I cannot explain this revelation of Joseph worthily; but it must be read
and pondered often, in order that we may learn from his example and that of
his brothers to pray diligently, to hope, and to wait for divine consolation,
and that in the meantime we may endure with a firm and steadfast heart the
hand of God, who plays with us and disciplines us on account of that
sluggishness and coldness of original sin, because of which the hearts of the
godly are benumbed and rendered rather sluggish toward faith, hope, prayer,
and other spiritual exercises. For when that game of God is lacking, we snore
and are cold. Therefore with this goad, as it were, God pricks and drives the
stupid and lazy ass, our flesh, which oppresses us with its huge bulk."
Luther, M. (1999, c1966). Vol. 8: Luther's works, vol. 8 :
Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 45-50 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T.
Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Ge 45:4). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing
House.