The Bible Courseනියැදිය

Joseph, the coat and the dreams – down to Egypt

Reflect:

There’s a beautiful, ancient Japanese art called ‘Kintsugi’ that involves piecing broken pottery back together using liquid gold or silver. What was broken is made more valuable and more beautiful because of its ‘scars’.

The book of Genesis has taken us from the cosmic view of the creation and the catastrophic fall of humanity, to a close-up view of one chosen family. Hand-picked by God, this family would bring blessing, restoration, and reconciliation to the world. But this family probably isn’t like what you would expect.

Observe the examples of dysfunction in the family of Joseph

The whole story of Abraham’s lineage is messy. And this is no ordinary family mess: this is deep, distorted, disgraceful mess. Jacob’s clear favouritism towards Joseph, fused with Joseph's arrogance and the jealousy of his brothers, leads to a plot to kill him. To save having blood on their hands, they decide to sell him into slavery ‘down to Egypt’ (verse 28) – and make a profit on the deal.

The golden boy turns slave boy. But God had a plan. In every twist, every disappointment, every long wait, God was working. Joseph’s story is a kintsugi story. God was putting back the pieces to create something of greater worth. He was writing a better story all along: Joseph ended up as prime minister, becoming a saviour figure during a huge crisis.

‘When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians ... Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain because the famine was severe’ (Genesis 41.56–57).

When Joseph’s brothers fear that Joseph will take revenge against them for selling him into slavery, Joseph says: ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives’ (Genesis 50.20). He’s able to forgive them because he’s seen that was God at work, even in the mess.

What does this mean for us today?

We may not be able to see it right now, but God is always at work in the mess. God is the master of kintsugi. He’s into recycling! He can take the rubbish in our lives and make something beautiful out of it again. TODAY, he is working all things for good (Romans 8.28).

Respond

These days, we don't often stop to reflect. Take a moment to look back and trace the careful hand of God in your life.