Unity in God's Family

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (A)

August 10, 2014

Genesis 45:1-15

Image via DoubleInheritance.Blogspot.com

Introduction

Last Sunday, we began the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, a "spoiled brat" whom God took and turned into the prime minister of Egypt. But before God can use him, God subjected Joseph into various trials in order to refine his character. He was the favorite son of his father Jacob, whom he gave a long sleeved tunic ("a coat of many colors", Genesis 37:3). Obviously Jacob was proud of his favored position, which caused enmity between him and his brothers. Thus, he was sold as a slave in Egypt and became the servant of Potiphar the Egyptian but eventually became "overseer" of his household (Genesis 39). Then he was accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife and was thrown into prison. There he met the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh (Genesis 40). He interpreted their dreams and they came true. But when the chief cupbearer was reinstated by Pharaoh, he forgot all about Joseph. Joseph was at the lowest point of his life. His father thought he was dead; his brothers had sold in into slavery; he was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit; and his only hope of getting out of prison forgot all about him.

But the LORD was with Joseph. God allowed him to go through all those trials in order to purify his character. When we go through trials, God is also purifying our character, as the Scripture says,

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, tho' now for a little while (if need be) ye are in heaviness thro' manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold, (that perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire) may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ....

(I Peter 1:6-7, John Wesley New Testament)

In the lowest point of his life, Joseph learned to absolutely depend on God.

I. Joseph, the Interpreter of Dreams.

In Genesis 41, we read that Pharaoh had two dreams: In the first dream, he was standing of the banks of the Nile River when he saw seven good-looking and healthy cows and then seven ugly-looking and thin cows. The ugly-looking and thin cows then ate the seven good-looking and healthy cows which ate the seven healthy cows (vv. 2-4). In the second dream, he saw seven fat and full stalks of grain and then seven thin and dried stalks. The seven thin and dried stalks ate the seven fat and full stalks (vv.5-7). He was so troubled buy his dreams that he summoned all the magicians and wise men throughout Egypt but none can interpret his dream (v. 8). That is when the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph (vv. 9-13).

When Joseph appeared before Pharaoh, he acknowledged that his ability to interpret dreams doeas not come from himself but from God (v. 16). According to Joseph, the seven healthy and fat cows and the seven fat and full stalks are seven years of plenty. Meanwhile, the seven ugly and thin cows and the seven thin and dried stalks are seven years of famine (vv. 25-31). And the dreams were given in two forms because "it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass" (v. 32).

In Egypt, the Nile River is very important in agriculture. It is the long river in Africa in the world (6,650 kilometers or 4,132 miles). For thousands of years, Egyptian farmers have dependent on the silt which the river brings in order that they can grow crops in the Saharan desert. Every year, the priests would upriver to Aswan to examine the "Nilometer"--steps into the river of the Temple of Aswan. If the water level was too low, it would be a "year of famine". If the level level was too high, the water would flood the fields and it would be a "year of surfeit" (excess). The water level had to be just right in order to have a "year of plenty". Apparently, Joseph predicted that the water level of the Nile would be just right for seven years of plenty. Afterwards, the water level would be too low, making seven years of famine.

II. Joseph, the Prime Minister of Egypt.

Joseph suggested that the surplus grain during the seven years of plenty be stored sothat there would be food during the seven years of famine. Because of this, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as the prime minister (or grand vizier) of Egypt, since he saw that the Spirit of God was upon him (v. 38). He would be in charge of collecting food for the seven years of famine. There was no one greater than Joseph in all of Egypt, except Pharaoh himself (v. 40).

When the seven years of famine began, people from all over Egypt and all over the world went to Joseph to buy food (vv. 53-57). Even Joseph's brothers in Canaan came to buy food from Joseph. But they were not able to recognized their brother because by this time, Joseph has already become "Egyptianized".

There are plenty of stories in literature where characters would change their enemy in order to hide their past. For example, there is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1862). It tells the story of Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for nineteen years (five for stealing bread, the rest for attempted escapes). When he was released on parole, he stole some silverware from a bishop. When he was arrested, the bishop explain to the police that the silverware was actually a gift to Valjean. Touched by the bishop's kindness, Valjean changed his identity to "Monsieur Madeleine" and eventually became a town mayor and owner of a factory that employed poor women.

Meanwhile, in Philippine Literature, there is the character of Crisostomo Ibarra in Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere who turned into the revolutionary Simoun in El Filibusterismo.

III. Joseph, the Puppet Master.

Joseph could not resist toying with his brothers. Perhaps it's to teach them a lesson. While his brothers were buying grain, he accused them of being spies ("to see the nakedness of the land", Genesis 42:9; because Egypt was vulnerable during this time of famine). They told him that they are twelve brothers; that one has died (who is in fact the one talking to them); that the youngest is left in Canaan; and that they have an old father (v 13). Joseph ordered them to bring their youngest brother or else they will not see his face again (and thus buy food, vv. 18-20). As his brothers were on their way home, they discovered that the money that they paid to buy food was in their sacks (placed there on the orders of Joseph) and thus were afraid to go back to Egypt because they may be charged with stealing (vv. 25-28).

When the food which they bought ran out, Israel ordered his sons to return to Egypt to buy more food, but the brothers explained that they may not go back unless Benjamin was with them (Genesis 43). Judah (ironically, because he was the one who had the idea of selling Joseph, Genesis 37:26-27) gave his life as surety (a guarantee) for the safety of Benjamin (vv. 8-9). Israel then ordered them to bring gifts to the prime minister of Egypt, some products in Canaan which may not be available in Egypt: "take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds..." (v. 11) He also ordered them to bring double the money, to pay for the food they bought the first and to buy some more (v. 12).

When Joseph saw them with Benjamin, he ordered that they shall be taken into his house (vv. 15-16). The brothers were afraid that it was a trap (v. 18), but instead, Joseph prepared a feast for them (vv. 24-34).

Joseph ordered his steward to fill the sacks of his brothers with food and to return the money of each one. He also ordered that his silver cup be placed in the sack of Benjamin (Genesis 44:1-2). Shortly after his brothers left, he ordered his steward to pursue them and look for his silver cup (vv. 4-5). When the steward caught up with them, he discovered the cup in Benjamin's sack (vv. 6-12). The brother refused to give up their brother so all of them returned to the city to face Joseph.

IV. Joseph, the Found Brother.