Jacob told Pharaoh,
"Few and evil
Have the days of the years of my life been...."
Was Pharaoh astonished
As he looked at the father of Joseph,
A hundred and thirty years old?
Jacob was at peace.
Calmly he looked at evil.
The cruel, sharp bargaining
That grasped at his brother's birthright;
The deceit of the stolen blessing;
The cowardly flight to Laban;
The lie of his murderous sons
When they showed him the coat of Joseph;
The shame of his envious sons
When they sold their brother to bondage.
He remembered Peniel.
Jacob looked back
As he stood at the court of Pharaoh.
Evil was mute and powerless,
Measured by its abhorrence.
Turning away,
He lifted his thought to heaven
And, filled with the glory of God,
Gave Pharaoh his blessing.
