Joseph

I think the book of Genesis contains some of the most interesting reading in all of the Bible. It includes the stories of creation, the tower of Babel, the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis includes people like Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Did you know that 24 of the 50 chapters of Genesis are dedicated to telling the story of the life of Joseph? Joseph had an adventurous life. He was thrown in a well and sold as a slave by his brothers. He was shipped to a foreign land at a young age. He was accused of sexual assault and thrown in prison. He was recognized for interpreting dreams. He became one of the most powerful men in the world, practically running the country of Egypt. And after many years of separation, he was reunited and reconciled to his family.

Did you know that Joseph is the first Bible character NOT in the direct lineage of Jesus? Most of the men and women we read about in Genesis are direct ancestors of Jesus. We know that from the scriptures that say, “So and so begat so and so; and so and so begat so and so.” Jesus is a direct descendant of Judah, Joseph’s brother. So this raises some questions:  Why was so much emphasis put on the story of Joseph? It’s a great story, but why was Joseph made the hero and not Judah? God could have shown Judah favor, but the focus and favor went to Joseph. What point was God trying to make?

About 20 years ago, my wife and I did something that didn’t fully make sense at the time, but we felt led by God to do. We invited a troubled teenager into our house to live with us. Jazmin was a senior in high school in her home town. She moved to a different town with us in the middle of her senior year. Technically, she was living with her dad. He worked the night shift. Instead of staying at home alone, she rotated staying at our house and at a friend’s house. We were actually surprised that she took us up on the offer to move with us, but she knew her life was heading in the wrong direction – bad friends, bad activities and bad living conditions.

Jazmin finished high school that spring becoming the first one in her family to graduate from high school. She went on to college and got a nursing degree. Today she works as a nurse in the cardiology unit of a hospital. She is happily married with three delightful children. Her life has turned out beautifully. She was given the opportunity to change the trajectory of her life and she took it. She only lived under our roof for a matter of months, but it was enough to save her life.

I have lived a wonderful life. I have had many, many great experiences and I have been given opportunities to make a difference in many people’s lives. But I believe one of the most significant things I have accomplished in my life has been providing a temporary home for Jazmin. As a result, she has broken the cycle of family dysfunction and generational poverty. Her kids and the generations to follow will be blessed by the life she has chosen. And it is deeply satisfying to know I played a part in it.

Now Joseph accomplished many great things in his lifetime. He saved the lives of countless people from starvation and he saved the country of Egypt from financial ruin. However, the greatest, most significant thing Joseph accomplished in his life was saving his family. Because of that, Judah lived; and because of that, Jesus was born; and because of that, the world was saved. 

- Barry Thomas