Joseph the Weeper

This year, I have been reading through the Life Journal plan that helps you read through the entire bible in a year.  I would recommend it for everyone. (Today is a great day to join in, since we start Exodus today.)

Over the last week, we have been finishing the book of Genesis, where the focus of the book shifts to the character of Joseph.  Here is a recap of the story of Joseph.  Jacob(or Israel) loves Joseph. Joseph dreams. His brothers are jealous, so they sell him. Joseph gets sold into slavery, pursued by his master's wife, and thrown in prison.  Despite his series of unfortunate events, God makes him successful in all he does.  Eventually,  he is give a position of authority after he finds favor in Pharaoh's eyes.  He saves the lives of many people because he predicts and prepares for a severe famine in the land.

But Joseph is also weeper. He is not your occasional cryer; Joseph cries ALOT.  Aside from David, Joseph weeps more than any other character in the bible.  (I did not fact check this.) Why does Joseph weep so much? Well, frankly he has plenty of reason to weep every night. He was betrayed and forgotten by all of his family for many years.  And yet, I think it is misleading to assume Joseph weeps due to the accumulated bitterness from his family's actions.  Joseph weeps for days, weeks, and moments missed.  Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion when he sees his family because despite their lack of care for him, Joseph deeply cares that they are alive and well. Compassion and a heart full of forgiveness drive Joseph's emotions and interactions with a family who betrayed him. There is something beautifully redemptive in each circumstance where Joseph weeps. Here are the times when Joseph weeps:

Joseph weeps the first time he sees his brothers after his brothers had sold him to Midianite Merchants.
Genesis 42:24: He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again.

Joseph sees Benjamin for the first time in a long time.
Genesis 43:30: Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep.  He went into his private room and wept there.

In Genesis 45, Joseph finally lets the cat out of the bag and reveals to his brothers his true identity.
Genesis 45:2: And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

Genesis 45:14-15: Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Joseph sees his Father for the first time since he went missing.
Genesis 46:29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel.  As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

Joseph weeps over the loss of his Father.
Genesis 50:1: Joseph through himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him.

And finally, Joseph weeps as reconciliation continues with his brothers.
Genesis 50:17: (Joseph's brothers) "This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father."  When their message came to him, Joseph wept.


Here is what can we learn from Joseph the weeper:

Allow yourself to feel. Joseph wept both publicly and privately.  Joseph did not suppress his emotion, but rather he was self-aware.  We must be first self-aware of our own emotions, shortcomings, pains, and sins, so that  they will be brought into the light of God's love, grace, and truth. By allowing himself to feel, he was able to show and express his love and care for others.

Forgiveness. Reconciliation. And Restoration. Would you be able to forgive the people that royally screwed you over? Joseph does, and forgives and provides for the people that betrayed him.  Joseph extends grace to people who didn't deserve grace.  The story of Joseph is a beautiful depiction of the fullness of the gospel. God extends his love and grace to people, like me, who do not deserve it.

The mission of God is bigger than our current circumstances. Joseph says it best as he reassures his brothers that he has indeed forgiven them. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."