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Sometimes we need to learn a little
self-control for what we say.
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We can see the arrogance of youth on full display. How many of you can think of things you said as a person with less experience that make you cringe today? Sometimes humility is something that we learn as we continue in relationships in life.
Joseph is not only the perceived favorite of Jacob, he is the favorite! In this position among siblings, some tact is important in family politics. We're not sure if Joseph is just brash or simply ignorant of how his dreams might be received by his family members. Jacob does rebuke him but is considering if there might be something of substance to these dreams.
As the brothers conspire against Joseph, Reuben seems to redeem himself from previously in that he keeps bloodshed from occurring. This is not enough to keep Joseph from being sold though. The twenty pieces of silver may recall to the Christian reader of the thirty pieces of silver delivered to Judas for the betrayal of Jesus. It is a reminder of the shallowness of greed over relationships.
As we think of how Jesus may have incorporated this story into his teachings, I'm reminded of what he says about humility in Luke 14:7-11:
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Joseph doesn't move himself down but rather has been moved to the lowest place in disgrace. One must wonder about the sense of betrayal Joseph would have felt by his own kin. They undoubtedly told him their rationale for selling him off as a slave. It would have been a sobering lesson indeed as he made his way to Egypt.
As we consider our own lives, are we able to incorporate lessons in humility or do we allow circumstance to move us to bitterness?
O Father, give us the humility which
Realizes its ignorance,
Admits its mistakes,
Recognizes its need,
Welcomes advice,
Accepts rebuke.
Help us always
To praise rather than to criticize,
To sympathize rather than to condemn.
To encourage rather than to discourage,
To build rather than to destroy,
And to think of people at their best rather than at their worst.
This we ask for thy name's sake.
Amen.
Prayer by William Barclay, Church of Scotland minister, 20th Century
Photo by pixlfarmer via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
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