Genesis 37:16-24 and Genesis 41:37-42

Question:

I am creating a dance around these two passages.

Comment:

I'm not going to print out the passages because they're long, and because you are clearly familiar with them. Basically, you're focusing on what we might call two milestones in the life of Joseph. In Chapter 37 Joseph's resentful brothers decide to kill him but are convinced by Reuben to throw him into a pit instead. (They subsequently decide to sell him as a slave to a passing caravan.) And in this passage from Chapter 41 we find Joseph being honored by the Pharaoh, receiving the symbols of office—a ring and a gold chain—that will symbolize his authority "over all of Egypt."

What I find interesting is that both these events arise out of Joseph's dream interpretation. His brothers' anger is triggered by Joseph's arrogant announcement that he is destined to rule over them; he saw it in a dream. Joseph is immature, pampered by his father and proud of himself for interpreting the dream. The outcome is not what he expected: he is forced to serve as a slave in Egypt. It is also by interpreting dreams that he rises to the height described in Chapter 41.

But a lot has happened to Joseph between the two chapters, and he has learned important spiritual lessons along the way. He learns not to bemoan his fate; he never allows himself to become a victim. Even in prison he finds ways to make himself useful to the guards and other prisoners. When the chance to interpret a dream comes again, his attitude is quite different. Instead of arrogantly claiming a special, personal power, he modestly makes it clear that the interpretations come not from him, but from the Lord through him. It is that willingness to be a clear vessel through which divine energy can flow that allows him to accept authority from the Pharaoh to the benefit of all Egypt. In the process he receives great wealth, status, and luxury. But those things are never the purpose of his service. As Jesus teaches hundreds of years later, if we seek first the kingdom, we also enjoy a joyful and abundant life experience.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed