The big reveal: a standard element in reality TV. The garden makeover is displayed to the homeowners, the mouth-watering dish is plated up and the singer’s true visual appearance is seen by the judges (because apparently that’s a thing). It’s a stock standard element of so many shows we consume.

It’s also a very big element of the life of the first suffering servant archetype found in The Bible: Joseph.

It feels like I’ve been reading Genesis all year, but apparently it’s only been since April. The last few weeks I’ve been reading about Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Here’s some of what I’ve been journaling:

The account of Jacob tells the story of Joseph. He gives an account of his brothers’ poor behaviour. His father also favours him and this causes his brothers to hate him. He shares his dreams of their bowing down to him which leads to more hate. He is also rebuked by Jacob. It shows they believe in dreams but are not convinced by Joseph.

Their very attempt to stop the dreams coming to pass is what brings them into reality, ultimately… Joseph is sold for 20 shekels of silver… He would be young, healthy and strong.

Interesting that Judah is the one who says to sell Joseph and then we get a story of his folly.

Joseph, it is said, had ‘God with him’ and for this reason he prospered. Then when Potiphar put Joseph in charge he received the blessing and prospered also as a result.

Joseph refuses her advances [Potiphar’s wife] and maintains integrity. He uses the phrase ‘sin against God’ which is interesting. Has it been used before?

Even in prison Joseph has a leadership role and appears to have a degree of movement. He obviously still holds some degree of confidence in his dreams.

The chief baker’s dream is really chilling. Joseph describes where he is as a dungeon. The selfish forgetfulness of the chief cupbearer and Joseph remains in prison.

So Pharaoh has a dream which God obviously gives him. What does that mean spiritually? Anything other than that God can do whatever he wants? Also God communicates in a culturally relevant manner.

Joseph says exactly what he should. [“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”] I don’t know that I could. Again, the dreams are culturally relevant.

Joseph is #propelled. In a matter of hours he goes from in prison to 2nd in the land.

Joseph was 30. When he arrived in Egypt he was 17. He appears to have spent a considerable amount of time in prison.

Joseph names his children in order to reflect on God’s goodness – that he has forgotten his suffering and has been made fruitful. Joseph is basically in charge of food for all the ancient world, during the famine that he prophesied.

Joseph’s brothers arrive to get grain.

At this point, Joseph’s brothers, driven by the famine across the entire ancient world, are played into their brother’s hands. The brother who they sold as a slave, years earlier.

They think he’s dead. But he’s not. And he’s about to punk them.

If you’ve never read the account of Joseph’s life you can find it in Genesis, Chapters 37 to 50.

Or, you can wait until next week’s post – the big reveal.

Yours in the middle of a prank,

Alison