Life Lessons from Joseph and his Brothers-A Retelling

Joseph, the youngest in his family, was given a colorful coat simply because he had been born in his father's old age.

The young boy, in his fine coat, one day was sent to find his brothers who were shepherding.

When he found them, he shared his dreams in which his family bowed down to him.

No surprise, this didn't go well.

In jealousy his brothers stripped him of his rich robe and threw him into an empty cistern.

-No water in the cistern. No robe for covering. No apparent love to surround him.

An afterthought, the brothers sold him to some Ishmaelites who were on their way to Egypt.

Upon hearing the brothers' news when they returned, Jacob the father, thought that Joseph must have been killed by a ferocious animal

He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth-refusing to be comforted.

(Meanwhile in Egypt)

The LORD was with Joseph. He prospered.  An Egyptian master saw that the LORD was with him.  He became an attendant for the master Potiphar who put him in charge of his household.  He was given success in everything he did.

But soon enough, being well-built and handsome, Potiphar's wife wanted him for herself.

One day Potiphar's wife caught him by the cloak.  He refused her and fled leaving the coat behind.

Showing the coat to her master, she told a wicked story of Joseph attacking her and leaving his cloak behind.

Joseph, stripped of his fine coat once again, was thrown into prison.

And once again, being left with outward covering and comfort, the LORD was with him.

The LORD showed him kindness and granted him favor.

Again he was given success in whatever he did, even though in prison.

Dreams come into his story once again.

Joseph interprets the prisoners' dreams.

He interprets Pharoah's dreams too, telling Pharoah just as he told those in prison-

I cannot interpret your dreams; it is God.

He is put in charge again.

He is given Pharoah's signet ring and robes of fine linen.

He is given the responsibility to prepare for a widespread famine.

(Hungry, the downcast brothers re-enter the scene minus the youngest and now most-loved son of Jacob named Benjamin)

Coming to buy grain in Egypt, the brothers bearing gifts, bow to Joseph who recognizes them. They, however don't recognize him.

He sends them with a bag of grain and hidden silver to get Benjamin whom he has never met.

(Back in Canaan, the grain is eaten and dread grows as the brothers know they must return to Egypt with Benjamin.)

Armed with more gifts, double the silver and with Benjamin in tow, the brothers return.

Joseph in his grief, schemes again, having his own silver cup placed in Benjamin's sack.

As this is revealed the brothers tear their clothes; one brother saying "God has uncovered your servants' guilt" )knowing that this trouble was brought about by a deed they committed long ago.)

Joseph tells the brothers that it was God , not them who sent him to Egypt.  It was in God's plan to use their evil for good; "to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

This story ends with Joseph being reunited with his father and his brothers.  They live out their lives with plentiful provision.  -Genesis 37-47  But where this story ends another begins.

We are Joseph.  We are his brothers.

Like the silver cup in the sack, what is hidden in the heart is ultimately revealed.

We dream as though searching for the meaning of life, only God is the answer.

Maybe most intimately in life's cisterns and prisons, the LORD is with us.

When the silver and fine linens are stripped away, it is God who is our true covering.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

"Because he loves me", says the LORD, "I will rescue him"; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Psalm 91:4,14-16