One of the great
stories of the Old Testament is the account of Jacob’s son, Joseph (the Joseph
with the coat of many colors). The narrative encompasses the last fourteen chapters
in the book of Genesis (chapters 37-50). It has been referred to it as a ‘riches
to rags to riches’ story. Truly the Savior’s life could also be described as a ‘riches
to rags to riches’ story. There are multiple examples in the life of Joseph as
types to Jesus Christ.
Joseph was
seventeen year s old, the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons and most beloved by
his father. The scripture say his older brothers ‘envied’ him and that they
even ‘hated him’. Joseph had two dreams that he shared with his brothers and
his father. In their understanding, the meaning of the dreams were that at some
future date Joseph would have dominion over them. Sometimes older siblings
think that their younger counterparts have life easier and are more favored by
their parents.
After all that
happens to Joseph – being rejected by his family, thrown in a pit and left to
die by his brothers, then sold as a slave into a foreign country - treated without
respect, without worth, without consequence, wrongfully accused, wrongfully
judged, wrongfully sentenced for crimes he did not commit, escorted by guards off
to the dungeon and left to rot, to be forgotten, dismissed, and abandoned for
naught for the unseeable future. After all of that and more, and undeserving of
all of it, we find that Joseph was not forgotten – God had never forgotten him. Though he may have been fully convinced that
God had abandoned him because of the indisputable evidence from the unending string
of disastrous events, it was not so. So it is with all of us, God has not
forgotten us either and regardless of our mortal circumstances, He will never
forget us.
It is difficult
to read the first few verses of Gen. 45 without coming to tears. Joseph had
maintained his faith, held true to his integrity, and continued to live by the
standards he had been taught in his youth. Through a sequence of miraculous
events, he was released from prison and gained the trust and respect of the
Pharaoh. Even more miraculous, Joseph became second only to the Pharaoh in
governing the land and its people. Young Joseph, raised from a pit, released
from slavery, vindicated from prison, now led Egypt! And despite all of the
things that had gone wrong in his life, and how he had been wronged over and
over, he led in faith and righteousness.
The predicted
famine occurred. Joseph’s brothers found themselves in Egypt in serious need of
grain and sustenance for their families. And maybe even more miraculous than
Joseph’s wholly improbable path to Egypt’s throne, is that he immediately –
without hesitation, without pretense, devoid of condition, in complete humility
forgives them – he had probably forgiven them many, many years in the past. Truly
a man of conviction and integrity, faith and humility.
Seven verses
before the Book of Genesis ends, the story of Joseph, Jacob’s youngest son, is summarized
in his words to his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me
(meaning Joseph’s brothers had intentionally acted with malice and wickedness
when first putting Joseph in the pit and then subsequently selling him as a
slave); but God meant it unto good, to
bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore
fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones” (Gen. 50:20-21, italics
added). When we have faith in ALL things and are thankful for ALL of life’s
experiences, and forgive others freely, we can trust that God will eventually turn
our lives into something good.
The narrator
finishes with this verse: “And he (Joseph) comforted them, and spake kindly
unto them.” What an example of our loving and forgiving man – another type of
the Savior. Please read and ponder Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50. It’s about
much, much more than a coat of many colors.
Bishop Wm. Calvin Hughes
Released today from the great opportunity of serving as a Bishop
July 8, 2007 - March 10, 2013
