The Dilemma | Genesis 42-45
The story of Joseph is one of my favorite bible stories. Back in the day, I was actually into community theatre, and I had the opportunity to play Joseph in Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat. I absolutely loved the music in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece even though it takes some liberties with the story like much of Hollywood does. As a pastor’s kid, I’ve read through this story many times, and this part of the narrative is probably the most interesting.
As Pastor Alan so eloquently shared last week, Joseph has now made it through the delay. He has gone from the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to the prison, to Pharaoh’s house and the pinnacle of success. Honestly, the story could end there.
But, it doesn’t. Even being in the theatre world among some nonbelievers, it was fun seeing the cast’s response to hearing “Joseph’s brothers are back? No way!” It’s legit like Darth Vader’s reveal to Luke Skywalker. Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen that movie in the past 4 decades. Now, Joseph is reaping the success of trusting God in the delay, and now he gets a blast from the past that changes everything. Literally, he names his son Manassah, which means, “God has made me forget.” Now, Joseph is faced with a dilemma. How does he respond to seeing his brothers again–his very own flesh and blood that has sold him into slavery? Does he respond with mercy as if nothing happened? Does he enact vengeance on his brothers who rightfully deserve death?
Last week, Pharaoh said something about Joseph that I don’t want us to miss as we read through His Word. In Genesis 41:37, Pharaoh says, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Joseph, filled with God’s Spirit, interacts with his brothers in truth and love that brings about a change that could only be achieved by the hand of God. In fact, it was all a part of his perfect design for his people then. And, it’s all a part of his perfect design now. In Genesis chapters 42-45, the need for a process of reconciliation led to a path of restoration that ultimately led to a promise of revitalization.