DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MATURING OF A GODLY MAN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE MATURING OF A GODLY MAN

"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph; does my father still live?' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence …. Moreover, he kissed all his brothers and wept over them; and after that his brothers talked with him." (Genesis 45:3 and 15).

The story of Joseph is the story of the growth of a teenage boy into a mature man. Although we cannot study his life in depth, the narrative of Joseph's pilgrimage is in chapters 37-44. It is biography of a man worth studying for the many lessons it teaches. However, a quick biography is important.

Joseph was the favorite son of Judah. He was the son of Judah's favorite wife, Rachael. As the favored son and perhaps because of his youth, Joseph received perks that the other sons did not have, and they resented Joseph. Whether it was the naivety of youth or pride, Scripture does not tell us. At any rate, when he told his brothers that one day they would bow before him, the animosity grew to such a level that they wanted to kill him. Instead, he was sold into slavery, and became the property of an Egyptian named Potiphar. Joseph did well in his role as a servant until Potiphar's wife accused him of unwanted sexual advances, and Joseph was thrown into prison. He languished in chains in prison for several years – a time of waiting and developing his leadership skills – until, through a series of God-ordained circumstances, he was elevated to the top man in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. Thus, he had great power in Egypt.

When his brothers came from Canaan seeking food during a famine, Joseph recognized them, but they did not know him. After several meetings, Joseph finally revealed himself to them as the one whom they had sold into slavery. In this revealing of himself, we see several things that point to Joseph's personal growth. For one thing, he could have thrown his brothers into prison. Instead, he wept over them. He did not harbor any ill-will toward them.

But more than that, we see his spiritual growth. He saw all of the circumstances of his life as God's handiwork. That's why he said, "God sent me before you to preserve you" (vss. 5, 7) and, "It was not you who sent me here, but God" (vs. 8). And later he would say, "You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (50:20). It was not that he did not remember the bad things they had done to him, but he saw it all in the light of God's providence.

As we look at our own histories, and the evil things that others have done to us, we need to remember the words of the Lord Jesus when He said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This is one of the marks of mature believer – one who does not carry grudges from the past but sees how God has used those circumstances to bring spiritual growth. Joseph certainly modeled this for us. And we also follow in the steps of our Master who, while being crucified, said, "Father, forgive them."

May this be the pattern for our lives as we grow in grace.

Love, Dad