The reading from Genesis in the lectionary is accompanied by Luke 6:27-38, which I will read: 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Now, let us go back to the first reading of the Book of Genesis. No character in the Old Testament illustrates the fundamentals of God’s Kingdom better that Joseph. And no chapter, -I believe- in the Old Testament more clearly defines and describes these fundamentals than Genesis 45. Imagine being in Joseph’s place, sold by your brothers as a slave and imprisoned for a crime you did not commit, and unexpectedly you gain power and with God’s help became the second in the most powerful country of your time. And not only that…those who caused your suffering, pain and humiliation are in front of you asking you for help. What would you do?
The years Joseph spent in slavery and prison could easily have led to an explosion of anger upon seeing his brothers who had taken away his dignity, freedom, and humanity by selling him as an object. And what about his relationship with God? could Joseph have been angry with God for allowing such a situation? From a human perspective, the answer to those questions might be yes to both. However, Joseph neither acted against his brothers nor complained against God. He understood and recognized that God was with him in his sufferings and God was also with his brothers, who now needed food. He understood that God loved both parties.
In Egypt, while in prison and witnessing God’s favor and guidance in his life, Joseph had a lot of time to reflect. God led Joseph to understand how to rightly use the power given to him. His words when revealing himself to his brothers show what I mean: “Do not be distressed; don’t be angry with yourselves because you sold me here. For God sent me here to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Later in Genesis 50:20, he reiterates, “Do not be afraid. You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, so that many people should be kept alive.”
Joseph learned two key lessons while in Egypt. First, everything we receive from God is to fulfill His will and help others. For God sent me here to preserve life, Joseph knew that behind his power was the hand of God providing not only for him but for others including his brothers, and second key lesson he learned was to forgive and to see others with God’s eyes. And these two lessons took him to understand that God has a greater purpose. A purpose that includes others, not only him.
Joseph serves as a prototype of Jesus in the Old Testament. His life foreshadows the One who would come to save the world. Joseph’s life has several similarities to Jesus’ life: He was sold for silver. Like Judas, his brothers valued money over loyalty to him. Joseph was stripped of his robe, delivered to gentiles and falsely accused. Joseph, like Jesus was tempted; he forgave and saved his rebellious brothers like Jesus did with us; he was exalted after humiliation, and he was used by God to bless His people.
When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, he was in a position of great power. He could have taken revenge or punished his brothers for their actions, however, led by God, Joseph forgave them. Not only did he forgive, but he also brought them to Egypt and provided for them.
In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus is describing Joseph’s actions. Joseph did good to those who hated him, blessed those who cursed him, and prayed for those who mistreated him. Why did he do this? Because he understood that what God had done in his life was greater than what his brothers had done. He did it because he knew, he was only a steward of everything God had placed in his hands.
Joseph’s example as well as Jesus’ teachings invite us to reflect on how we use what God has given us. Are we thinking of the bigger picture and God’s plans, rather than our personal interests? Just as Joseph used his power and resources to help others and to fulfill God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacon, we too are called to do good with what we have, because everything we have comes from the hand of our God.
We, the modern-day disciples of Jesus, like Joseph have received power and authority. Listen to Luke 9: 1 and 2, “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” To drive out demons, cure diseases, and proclaim the kingdom of God. Our mission is to use our gifts and everything God has given us to fulfill God’s plans and strengthen His kingdom. How did the disciples do what Jesus asked them to do? How did Joseph do it? By surrendering all to God. You see, from chapter 42 to 44, it seems to me that Joseph was playing with his brothers. I think he was planning his revenge. In chapter 45 everything changed. Joseph surrendered all to God.
“Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, ‘Have everyone leave my presence!” (Genesis 45:1). Joseph’s surrender to God’s control is key: When Joseph gave up his control, God took over, leading to forgiveness, unity, prosperity, and the foundation of a new nation.
We must give God control of our lives, possessions, plans and decisions, remembering that everything belongs to Him. According to God’s Word, the power given to us from above is meant to help others, not to control or destroy them. As we strive to be faithful disciples, let us do good and let us be led by the Spirit. And remember that only God can create goodness from harm. Only God can transform evil into good. However, he will do it through us; He does it help others using what He has given us to and fulfill His will. God saved Jacob’s family using Joseph, God delivered the Hebrews out of Egypt using Moses, God used Joshua to conquer the promised land, he used prophets to speak to his people. God wants to fill this earth with forgiveness, love and unity. He wants to help those who are in need and danger like he helped Jacob’s family not to be destroyed by the famine. However, he needs believers like Joseph ready and willing to let go of their own suffering, desires for revenge, and need for control. God needs men and women ready to surrender everything to do God’s will. Are you one of them?”
