Concluding our series of reflections on relationship drama and conflict, let’s look at Joseph from the Old Testament, a survivor of pretty serious conflict and drama. His brothers mocked him, wanted to kill him, threw him into a pit to die, and then sold him into slavery, hoping never to see him again. They followed that up by lying to their father so that he would never search for Joseph. When Joseph landed in Egypt, he worked diligently and with impeccable character, yet his boss’s wife accused him of immorality and had him thrown into prison. He lived an exemplary life as a prisoner and even accurately interpreted dreams for fellow-prisoners, only to be forgotten by the prisoner who returned to freedom. One day that former prisoner remembered. Joseph had a meteoric rise to power, marrying a princess and becoming second in the land of Egypt.
A short time later we read in Genesis 42 of Joseph’s brothers standing before him in desperation in Egypt, asking for food to survive the famine. They didn’t recognize him. He knew who they were, however, and eventually we read in Genesis 45 that he disclosed to them that he was their brother Joseph. He moved them all to Egypt and provided food for their families, thereby being used of God to preserve the Israelite nation.
Consider what happened, however, beginning in Genesis 41:50, shortly before Joseph’s brothers visited the land of Egypt, until Genesis 45:3 when Joseph finally exclaimed to them, “I am Joseph!” Before the famine, Joseph and his wife had two sons. The names he gave these sons illustrate a faith in God, despite his many trials, and a choice to focus on what God had for him at that time and in the future rather than on his past and his brothers: “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, ‘For’ he said, ‘God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.’ The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction’”(Genesis 41:51-52). The young man who was thrown into the pit and then sold into slavery was fully aware of the awfulness of what was happening to him. His brothers recalled the situation: “’In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen’”(Genesis 42:21). Yet despite what had happened to Joseph and the fact that not one Hebrew was with him in Egypt to remind him or encourage him in his faith, he knew his God was with him. He could not change the past nor the hearts of his brothers, but he could choose not to make these his focus.
And then, when his brothers stood before him in Egypt, Joseph wondered whether they regretted what they had done, whether they could now be trusted. We know that he was not being unloving because he made certain they had food when they left Egypt and ultimately saved their lives. Joseph, however, who lived a life characterized by wisdom, tested before trusting. After all, at one time his brothers had wanted to kill him, and for many years they had lied to their father about him. Were they now honest? How would they respond to temptation and adversity today? Had they killed Benjamin, as well, or was he still alive? If Joseph favored Benjamin, would they resent Benjamin as they had resented Joseph? Did they now desire to honor God? Had their hearts changed? Yes! And because their hearts had changed, Joseph and his brothers could finally fellowship. If we’ve wronged someone, we may need to evidence a change of heart in order to be forgiven and trusted again. Genuine repentance, however, can bring beautiful, restored fellowship.
Later, after their father Jacob died, the brothers were fearful that Joseph may retaliate. Joseph reassured them, however, and his faith was an example to them and to us: “’Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today’”(Genesis 50:19-20). Even on his death bed, his words evidenced a faith that God would fulfill his promise of Genesis 15:13-15 and that the Israelites would eventually leave the land of Egypt for the land of promise: “And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’ Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here’”(Genesis 50:24-25). To remind us of Joseph’s incredible example, the writer of Hebrews included him with other heroes of the faith in chapter 11: “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones”(Hebrews 11:22).
In addition to what these passages communicate regarding Joseph’s example of faith and focus, they also communicate the greatness of our God. Our current cultural and political situation may seem overwhelming, but God’s guidance in the life of Joseph and Joseph’s faith in God should remind us that God is worthy of our trust today. Specifically, consider the following lessons from the life of Joseph. 1) Retaliation is not our responsibility or right. 2) God allows the trouble in our lives. A bitter response, therefore, is actually bitterness against God. 3) Others may mean to do us harm, but God can use it for good, sometimes great good. 4) True repentance will evidence itself in our actions. 5) Bad things may happen, but God is with us. He keeps his word and is worthy of our trust. 6) We should keep our focus on God and what he has for us to do today.
—final reflection in a series of 7