Old Joseph

From July 28th, 2006
Connected to my previous blog/sermonette, Chrysostom referenced Joseph as a model of a Christian philosopher. This is mildly amusing as Joseph was obviously NOT a Christian, but a Hebrew, living pre-Torah. In any event, his life does teach many of the concepts of Chrysostom's philosopher. So, off we go!

This talk was designed to offer encouragement to college students in the growth in maturity in preparation for the use of the spiritual gifts given to them by God.

GIFTED

1) I think it is important to note that Joseph came from a big, blended family. Four mothers, with 13 sons (and who knows how many daughters? I've not looked intently) and divided loyalties among them. This is important to keep in mind when considering the dynamics of Jacob's (Ya'akov) household.
2) In Genesis 37, Joseph is believed to be about 17 years old. So, put his comments to his brethren into that context. Remember how 17 year olds act and relate? Also, he is the Spoiled One. He has been given the famed "coat of many colors". Most scholars don't believe that it actually had many colors (sorry Technicolor fans). It probably had long sleeves and came down to his ankles. This is a key visual as this was the form of a nobleman's coat. Most "coats" were short sleeved and came down to the knees or mid-thigh. The length of Joseph's coat indicated two things: 1) he didn't work in the fields and 2) he was the heir to Jacob's house. Now, before Benjamin was born, Joseph was the youngest. This must have been offensive to his 11 older brothers.
3)Due to these things, Joseph appears to have become arrogant. In 37:2, he rats out his brothers to his father, and later in vv. 5-11, he tells his brothers and his father of his dreams which relate to them bowing down to him. Jacob finally reprimands him, but strangely enough, kept this saying in his mind. Wonder what God had been telling him?
4)Now, by this time, his brother HATE him. Scripture says (37:5) that they won't offer Joseph "shalom". By doing this, they are essentially invoking a curse on him. In spite of the fact that it is evident that God has gifted Joseph (40:8), the brothers lose patience and sold Joseph into slavery. Suddenly, the heir became the slave. (37:36)

MATURATION

During his time as a slave in Egypt, Joseph grew and learned many lessons:
1) his need for God (39:2) and as he served Potiphar, God blessed him and he became wealthy while still being a slave.
2) obedience (39:4). he did what pleased Potiphar in all that he did.
3) fidelity (39:7-10) - he acted honorably whether Potiphar was there or not. He avoided an affair with Potiphar's wife (39:6-12), acted in total humility even though he is equal to Potiphar within the household (39:8), and therefore Potiphar "paid no attention to Joseph/did not concern himself with Joseph". He just turned Joseph lose and tended to other details. (cf. Mt. 24:45-47)
4) trained by adversity - after the accusation of rape, Potiphar totally ignores the history of Joseph's service and character and tosses him into prison in a fit of rage. (39:19-20)
5) still dependent on God in prison, as God prospers him even in the dungeon. (39:21-23; cf Rom. 11:29)
6) continues growing in humility - in prison, he's put in charge of the needs of other prisoners (40:4). This does appear to be a prison for upper echelon types (think Martha Stewart's former prison). He also now attributes the interpretations of dreams to God and not himself (40:8).
7) trained by anonymity - he's promptly forgotten by Pharaoh's cupbearer (40:23). Joseph is in the prison for a minimum of 2 years (39:21-40:1; 41:1) and probably longer than that.

UNVEILING OF THE CALLING

1) God had prepped him by combining the spiritual gifts with other training. Joseph was now a fully developed manager. He was head over Potiphar's house (39:2-6) and over the prison (39:21-27). In both cases, Potiphar and the Jailer "paid no attention to Joseph".
2) God's timing had come: Pharaoh had his 2 dreams that needed divine interpretation (41:1-7) and Joseph was the divinely inspired interpreter (41:8-32)
3) Joseph's mature character is on full display - he is humble before Pharaoh and gives glory to God (41-33-36). He has learned discretion (contrast this with when he was 17) and has become wise.
4) Prophecy fulfilled - He is made Ruler of Egypt (41:37-44. cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29) and is second only to Pharaoh (just like his previous two positions). He begins to execute the salvation of many through the use of his wisdom and training as a manager (41:46-57). Finally, his brothers do prostrate themselves four times to him (42:6; 43:26; 44:14; 50:18). This means that they laid out on the ground, face down. Total deferrence.
5) A Full Unveiling and Understanding of God's Calling - Joseph is able to look back on the events of his life (appx. 13 years between slavery and Rule) and declare what God had been doing. He could finally see God's and purpose for his life and that that included over a decade of imprisonment, lack of freedom, and abandonment. He was able to say that what others had meant for evil, God meant for good. (50:19-21)

As Christians, we are all gifted spiritually and all have a calling by God. However, we must learn to be patient as God 1) offers us training that we will need in the execution of that calling (whether we're aware of it or not), 2) develops our character and conforms us to the image of His Son and 3) brings to pass the events that lead up to the unveiling of His calling on our lives. In all of this, we must cease striving and know that He is God, and learn more of His character and therefore grow in our patient trust of Him. Can we learn to wait for more than a decade?