So, here we are again, reading all about the tragedies in Joseph’s life…the rejection, the intense sibling rivalry. There is nothing new under the sun! Today, families are just as dysfunctional as Joseph’s, if not more so!
The latter years of his life were far better than the beginning years full of trials and tragedies. He was favored in the end by the Pharoh. He had his own family and lived in comfort.
What I want to focus on this week is this very important fact: Joseph tested his brothers before revealing to them who he really was. That was wise.
Many folks know the pain of sibling rivalry, (abuse, lets call it what it is) sexual molestation from brothers, and even sisters. Beatings, rejections, abandonment by parents. The early tragic death of a care provider can leave one vulnerable to much of the aforementioned. Growing up with an active addict, whether that addiction is to alcohol, illegal substances or prescribed substance, or even process additions, the damage is the same.
(Please, do not leave out workaholics, gambling, or even food addiction…a drug is a drug…)
All of these types of family systems rob a child of the ability to find their authentic identity…
You see, growing up trying to just survive, one develops a false self, to protect their true selves. Joseph was being his authentic self, sharing his dreams and visions that God was sharing with him while he slept…his brothers hated him for it. Already hated because of the favoritism from the father this was fuel to the fire! Coping skills, defense mechanisms, all intelligent ways to survive one’s chaotic home life. But, one’s false self along with those coping skills/defense mechanisms that empowered them to survive is not truly who they are, not, that is not who the Father knit them together in their mother’s womb to be…
Identity…that is our focus this week…
Who are you? Who did Creator knit you together in your momma’s womb to be? What gifts, talents, and abilities did He place in you? We all have something so beautiful to be discovered under the rubble…under the broken places.
Joseph set his brothers up to see how they would react…using his precious younger brother, Benjamin, as the “bait”. He needed to see if they were still the vicious brutes of long ago that threw him into a pit.
They passed the test. They had a heart change, they finally learned to love, to take care of one another, and to esteem each other.
For far too many of us, we have had to set some pretty strong boundaries with family members to stay safe from more harm. Some have had to walk away and never look back. Some do not dare leave their children with family members for various reasons.
Wise…hard choices, but wise…
Identities…
Knowing who one is and who He is…
imperative to the times we live in…
We are still in the midst of celebrating Hanukkah. Many of us are reading the stories of the Maccabees. They were wise, they were strong and they knew who they were, and more importantly, who He was…
You see, brothers and sisters, unless we know who is who…and what is what, we cannot fight the good fight…we will not be able to stand against the tyranny that is enveloping us on every side…
It begins with knowing who we are…
I want to share with you