I finished the book Bono last night. It was a great read, featuring conversations between the singer and a friend named Mitshka (sp?).
In Genesis 47, we see Joseph bringing five of his brothers before Pharaoh. The first thing Pharaoh asks them is just what Joseph had trained them about: "What is your occupation?" They answered just as they were told: "Shepherds, just as our fathers were." Pharaoh granted their request to settle in Goshen. He did them one better, too. He told them to settle in the "best part of the land" and he also told them about his posting on Craig's List: "If you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock."
My pastor likes to do that, describe some biblical action in a modern day equivalent. Joseph (and now his family) had so much favor with Pharaoh. It was crazy. Here he was -- on top of the world -- when before he had been thrown in a ditch and left for dead.
This is a good story to give someone battling with depression or suicide some perspective. Joseph was thrown into prison, perhaps relegated to rotting for the rest of his soon-to-be-shortened life. Not too much time had passed when he was the second most powerful man in the earth. That's a huge rags to riches story. The problem with problems is we often can't see the future. We don't know that we won't have that amazing girlfriend or job or gig or circumstances in the next year or two or five. We don't know if or when the cloud will lift, but it just might be soon. Making it through tough times is rough, but things can drastically change for the better. You just never know.
Israel/Jacob was a good man. When Joseph brought him before Pharaoh, it must've been a proud moment, like when a college football player brings his parents before the coach. An interesting thing happened at the beginning and end of this meeting, however. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Later on, when he was 147 and knew he was close to dying, he made Joseph put his hand under his thigh and swear to him that he'd bury him in the land of his fathers. Joseph swore to him "and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." That is cool to see someone who is weak use all their strength to do something like worship God. What a great example.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 13, 2007 10:03 AM