The Power of Perspective

One of the great mysteries in Genesis is how in the world Joseph turned out to be such a man of integrity and love. He had the deck stacked against him. First, he was from a “Jerry Springer” type family. Just look at his heritage: Isaac vs. Rebekah, Esau vs. Jacob, Jacob vs. Laban, Rachel vs. Leah, and on the dysfunctional family goes. He was his dad’s favorite, which also probably means he could get away with a few things. He received special gifts, and the only real mark we have on his character is that it looks like he was a bratty little brother bragging to his older siblings about how they would one day bow down to him. I can see this followed by a “ha ha” and a tongue sticking out. It just sounds like something a spoiled little brother would do (I know, I am one). It was enough to drive his brothers insane with jealousy so much that they wanted to kill him. Thanks to Rueben, they only sold him into slavery.

When Joseph leaves home, he grows up quickly and chooses to do the right thing regardless of the situation. He becomes the trusted servant of Potipher, only to be falsely accused of rape and thrown in jail. But instead of becoming bitter and angry, he continues to trust God and follow him. Eventually, the jail keeper trusts him to manage the jail. Later, Joseph is restored through interpreting the Pharoah’s dream and becomes the 2nd in command of the Pharaoh (and it seems he was first in all but title).

I wonder what went through Joseph’s mind when he saw his brothers after all those years when they came to Egypt to buy grain. He now has the power and position to exact revenge. Instead he tests them. He finds out about his family, and his little brother Benjamin. He doesn’t charge them for the grain (although the brothers thought it was a mistake to have the gold in their sacks). He wants to see how the brothers treat Benjamin. When they return and he plants the cup in the Ben’s sack, he really has a chance to see who his brothers have become. It is Judah, who years before wanted to kill Joseph, who is now willing to give up his own life for the sake of his father and for his brother. These men have changed. At this point, Joseph can no longer hold it together, reveals who he is, and weeps with them.

It was Joseph’s perspective that kept him from revenge, or even hatred and bitterness. He believed that God would use everything that happened for good, even when it didn’t look good. He tells his brothers, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Gen. 45:5-7). Instead of getting revenge, Joseph saved his family. He was restored to a right relationship. It was all because Joseph trusted God and did the right thing even when that got him in severe trouble.

Looking back, you can see God’s hand working to prepare Joseph for leadership in Potipher’s house and in the jail. You can see his love for his brothers by taking care of them, and even providing for them. Joseph never lost his perspective of faith, that God would make all things work for good.

I’m sure as they caught up, Joseph said to his brothers at some point, “See, I told you you would bow down to me one day.” That’s just the kind of things brothers do, and I’m sure they had a good laugh about it.