August 25, 1999

FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Finding good in bad takes time,
Godly perception
___ Genesis 42-45
___By Susan Pigott
___Logsdon School of Theology, Abilene
___Joseph's dreams had come true. His brothers bowed before him just as he had predicted, and he was in the perfect position to heap revenge upon them. But instead of having them executed or punished, Joseph toyed with them, sending them back to Canaan with the command not to return unless their youngest brother (Benjamin) was with them. And when Benjamin came, Joseph framed him for "stealing" a silver cup, putting the brothers in the awkward position of having to explain to their father how they had "lost" his second beloved son.
___ Earnest plea (Genesis 44:18-20, 33-34). Joseph's "cat and mouse" game with his brothers may be troubling to some readers. Although the biblical text never explains his motivation, Joseph likely was concerned about the welfare of Benjamin. By manipulating the brothers into bringing Benjamin with them, Joseph was able to determine for himself that his full-brother had not been harmed, and by forcing Benjamin to remain with him, Joseph could ensure his brother's safety and future.
___But Judah's plea changed everything. Judah, the one who had conceived the idea to sell Joseph into slavery, now ironically offered himself as a slave in Benjamin's place. In this act, Judah demonstrated his character had changed. He would rather endure slavery himself than cause his father to grieve over a second beloved son.
___ Emotional response (Genesis 45:1-4). Judah's offer moved Joseph to reveal his identity. Perhaps Judah's compassion for Benjamin (a compassion Joseph himself never experienced) melted away some of Joseph's old resentments. Or perhaps Joseph had grown tired of his ruse. Regardless, Joseph's revelation was met with the stunned silence of "murderers" suddenly confronted by their victim long thought dead.
___ Emphatic affirmation (Genesis 45:5-7). Joseph attempted to assuage his brothers' concerns. He revealed a higher purpose behind his suffering and misfortune. God had used these events in order to place him in a position to save Israel. Joseph was able to see beyond his brothers' malicious act to its divinely-orchestrated denouement. But such a revelation did not come easily. Joseph realized this in retrospect after years of enduring circumstances that seemed utterly devoid of anything good.
___Many times when Christians face misfortune in life, they are confronted by well-meaning friends and family who quote the beloved verse: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). And while this promise is comforting and hopeful, it is not something most of us can easily appreciate in the midst of tragedy. How can good come from the death of a child, or the dissolution of a marriage, or the loss of a home? No one can answer such questions for us. The only person qualified to see the good in a tragedy is the person (like Joseph) who has endured it. And often only time, healing and retrospect can give such a person the courage to reflect on devastating events and conclude that God somehow brought good out of them.

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