A Protective Intervention

What do you think about when you think of Joseph? If you've been around church for more than a minute, you probably remember how his "coat of many colors" got him nearly killed and sold into slavery. Even as a child, I was confused about how his brothers could hate him so much. And, why his father didn't know that his sons would hurt Joseph in such a way. I even subconsciously blamed Jacob for giving Joseph the coat and drawing attention to him!

But as I began my exploration of the details of the story, my perspective began to shift. Bear with me as I unpack this. Remember how Leah was not loved by Jacob? In today's culture, there are lots of "unloved" humans. That is, there are lots of children who's parents do not love them well. Last Sunday, my pastor quoted statistics of 1 out of 3 children are fatherless. That means, 24 million children were likely products of a casual sexual experience that did not come from a place of a committed, loving relationship (I recognize there are exceptions in this number...but our culture is permeated with careless, sexual, so-called relationships, even in the church! No judgment, just reality!) I think that describes Joseph's brothers too! All of Joseph's brothers (except Benjamin) were the result of sex, not intimacy! They were the products of a tricked relationship, which left them vulnerable to displaying the same resentment of their parents' lives. Neither Jacob nor Leah chose to be in a marital relationship; both were forced. I have not found any clues that Jacob ever grew to truly love Leah.

As a counselor, I look for the patterns. One of my tools is to look for generational patterns, such as addiction or abuse. If one generation does not take the time and be intentional to stop such patterns, then the next generation gets an opportunity. Forgiveness, healing, growth and change do not occur without intention. So, Joseph's brothers were just continuing the pattern. Since Jacob did not love Leah, I submit his love for her children was lacking. 

I have three nieces. They are loved. Well! They are joyful, vibrant, giggling, sweet little girls. Their parents love each other and have fostered an atmosphere of love in their homes. It does not take research to see that children who grow up in such homes, thrive. Those who grow up questioning their safety, support, and trust, struggle. The problem is rarely the child, it's their environment! That's why I work with adults as a counselor. Parents change...children change, both positively and negatively!

One piece of favor that I found in Joseph's life was Reuben's actions. Reuben stopped resentment from taking it's full course of murder. While it appears that he ultimately failed to protect Joseph by not getting him back to his father's protection, God gave Reuben courage to stand against his brothers, a likely mob mentality. Reuben's actions allowed God to provide another avenue of protection and favor: slavery...to an officer of Pharaoh! To me, it's obvious that Joseph being sold into slavery was God's protection. It would have been only a matter of time before Joseph's brothers would have had another opportunity to kill him and Reuben or Jacob may not have been present to stop it. 

Slavery is traumatic. Being seventeen and torn from everything you know, would be traumatic for anyone. Worse, knowing it was your own siblings who sent you away from everything you know, how would you respond?! I would be profoundly hurt and probably resentful. What if God's intervention is traumatic? What if the steps you and I have to take to accomplish the greater picture are painful, traumatic, despairing small steps? (Please note!!! I am in no way promoting abuse here! I'm merely stating that some of the lowest times in our lives are often emotionally traumatic...maybe even spiritually, physically, financially, etc.) I want us to focus on our response to such events. I want to challenge us to trust God anyways, during such events. I want to encourage us to dive, grasp after, desperately seek the Truth of God's character (who he ACTUALLY IS, not who we perceive Him to be)...during such events. This is a daily, moment-by-moment fight.

All the jobs I have applied for over the last year have not turned into an opportunity...yet! Sometimes I got an interview. Most times, I got nothing...no call, no response whatsoever. I was doing everything I knew to do...EVERYTHING! But, I was striving. I was not resting in God's hands. There is a fine line between doing and being, striving and resting. I submit it is a matter of the heart. As a dear friend recently encouraged me, "Do your due diligence" and let God take care of the rest of it. Trust that the circumstances you're in are not outside of God's plan...because, His plan for you is GOOD AND COMPLETE! Stand firm on that! Even if it means..."slavery"!

Questions for further thought: 

1. If you are a child that has not been loved well, who are the Reubens in your life? 
2. What events have removed you from traumatic situations, but ultimately protected you? 
3. Do you strive (Dictionary.com: to exert oneself vigorously) to change your circumstances? What if you put that same energy into striving for the Truth of who God is and trust that He's got in you these circumstances on purpose? What if your perspective shifted from your circumstances to focusing on His face? If you can't see His face, find out why!