Issue 480
Have you noticed that nobody is born with a clean slate? Before you breathe your first, you have, in your heart, blood, bones and soul. The scripts of your ancestors. You do not start with a free hand, you are already dealt a hand. Like playing cards it will contain kings, queens, villains, jokers and many numbers of characters. The Bible regularly speaks about blessings or damage effecting three or four generations, so who you are now and how you work will be impacted by 140 or more years of back story. Such was the case with a boy who became a slave, who became a prisoner, who became prime minister. His name was Joseph and he is one of the most famous Old Testament characters. Joseph was born into a family with many great characteristics, but it was, like any family, full of struggle. There were several family traditions. Deceit was common place. His great grandfather had a habit of pretending his wife was his sister. His grandfather had a similar problem. His father tricked his uncle out of his inheritance. Another family foible was favoritism. Abraham preferred Isaac to Ishmael. Isaac preferred Esau to Jacob. Jacob preferred Joseph to all his other sons. The result was rage and jealousy. Joseph’s natural transparency irritated his brothers and combined with their seething jealousy erupted into an act of cowardice and violence towards him. Sold into slavery, he was lost to his father. His brothers deceived his father into thinking that he was dead (surprise surprise). Joseph inherited deceit, anger, jealousy, struggle, violence and rage. Then, however, he was severely tested, instead of becoming a victim he became a player. Joseph simply stayed honest in each circumstance. His honesty got him promoted and persecuted at the same time. Tempted by his employer’s wife, Joseph refused to compromise. She stitched him up and he was landed in jail. Promoted in jail, he helps fellow prisoners who promptly forget him on his release. When he finally gets his big chance he honors God and the authorities and ends up with a major promotion to prime minister. The story resolves at Jacob’s death. Joseph’s brothers, still being deceitful, attempt to ingratiate themselves with Joseph. It is at this point that you get Joseph’s take on the whole story “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” The “good” that Joseph could see was that “saving of many lives”. (Genesis 50:19-21) There you have it. It is one of the most profound examples of transformation. Instead of being doomed to live out the script, Joseph rewrites it. Not giving in to the hand he was dealt, he out plays it against the odds. Notice also how he will eat a trend for his brothers and their children. How do you do it? How can you change from victim to player? Joseph gives the clue. When faced with the request to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams he says “I cannot do it – but God will…” There you have it again. Joseph’s secret was a belief in the power of God. Don’t think, however, that Joseph was uninvolved. He was no more a victim in his relationship with God than with anyone else. What Joseph did was stay authentic, transparent and in deep trust with God. Joseph’s truth connected with the truth and set him free. You do not need to be a victim of your past. You can be a player. Joseph saw what looked like harm and went past it to God’s reversal. Joseph saw himself as a partner with God. I’m no hard player but maybe the game of life is not poker, nor solitaire but Bridge. Just a thought. The story of Joseph is contained in Genesis 37-50 Bible Reference Genesis 50:19-21 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
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Geoff Shattock
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