Joseph: Part 3 - Family Reunion

12th in a series on how men and women in the Bible

deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment

Joseph: Part 3 Family Reunion

Reflections on Genesis 42-45

The Resume of:

Joseph 

(A Hebrew name meaning: he will add) 

The son of Jacob

aka

Zaphenath-paneah 

(An Egyptian name meaning

The revealer of secrets or the god speaks and he lives)

2nd only to Pharaoh

Interpreter of Dreams Righteous Administrator

Objective: Submit to the will of God wherever I find myself

Career Experience:

House Manager The Potiphar Household 1649-1647 BC

• In charge of everything Potiphar owned and was not concerned about anything except the food he ate. Genesis 39:6

Warden’s Assistant The Egyptian Prison System 1647-1645 BC

• The warden paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in everything he did. Genesis 39:23

Pharaoh’s Chief of Staff All of Egypt 1645-1605 BC

• No one in all the land of Egypt may lift a hand or a foot without my permission. Genesis 41:4 

If we look at Joseph’s resume we might imagine that he never had any trouble. It’s conveniently omitted that he was a slave and got framed for rape.  From 1649 to 1605 it appears that his career didn’t have any hiccups or bumps in the road.  Isn’t this what we do on any resume?  We do our best to cover up the ugly instances of getting fired or times of unemployment.  But in actuality, by knowing Joseph’s story we can really appreciate his character and understand his rise to fame.

From reading Genesis 42-45 we are not surprised that the other sons of Jacob never imagined that their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery, would rise to such a high position.  How would that be possible?  It’s even more implausible than the executive who began in the mail room and rose to become the CEO.  So impossible that when face to face with their brother, they do not recognize him.  

But Joseph immediately recognizes them and in his shock plays a series of tricks upon them.  He asks about their family and learns that his father is still alive.  He puts the silver, with which they had purchased grain, back in their sacks.  All seemingly to make sure that he gets to see them again.  

The reunion finally comes when Joseph can’t hold it in any longer, “Joseph cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and the people in the king’s palace heard about it. He said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But the brothers could not answer him, because they were very afraid of him.”  Yeah…..terrified, bewildered, stunned.  The writer makes it clear that his brothers figured that Joseph, very naturally, would now get his revenge.

Instead, Joseph, imagining what they’re thinking says, “Now don’t be worried or angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me here ahead of you to save people’s lives.”  What incredible insight!  Not only did he rise to power from slavery but he grew in character as well.  He matured beyond his brothers as God used him to not only save a nation but to fulfill a prophecy that God gave to Abraham many years before, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers and travel in a land they don’t own. The people there will make them slaves and be cruel to them for four hundred years.”  But that’s another story.

What principles can we apply to ourselves today?

1. When writing a resume, certainly emphasize the highlights but be ready to tell the stories that are in-between and around the circumstances of those jobs.
2. Make the best of difficult circumstances by trusting in the sovereignty of God.
3. Someone said to ‘grow where you are planted’ rather than pining away for that elusive position that may or may not come.
4. From Joseph’s brother’s perspective, watch how God can even use our mistakes.  But learn from those mistakes.
5. Forgiveness is more powerful than revenge.  

The Final Analysis

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.                                               Genesis 50:19,20