WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST

Today’s readings affirm that God is with us in the midst of challenging times. The continuing story of Jacob’s family is one of strained relationships. Paul continues to wrestle with tensions between Jews and Gentiles. Jesus and the disciples face death in a fierce storm. When all seems lost, God acts to protect what God has promised.

Scripture Readings

(Click on he links to read on Bible Gateway)

  • Genesis 37:1-28 (Joseph dreams; his brothers scheme)
  • Psalm 105:1-6,16-22,45b (Joseph in Egypt)
  • Romans 10:1-15 (Moses and Christ)
  • Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus walks on water)

Focus Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4,12-28

The saga of Jacob continues with the story of Jacob’s sons, the longest narrative in Genesis. In today’s focus, the account begins with the entire family in Canaan and ends with son Joseph in Egypt.

In Genesis 37:1-4 we are introduced to Joseph, the oldest son of Jacob’s beloved wife, Rachel. (A synopsis of Joseph's story is included below.) Recalling that Israel is Jacob’s new name, we learn “Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children” (v. 3). One sign of this favouritism was the gift of a “long robe with sleeves” (v. 3), a style that suggested royalty. Jacob, himself a younger son who usurped the privileges of the elder son, sets up Joseph to do the same.

In these first verses of the story, Joseph’s actions are the focus. When the older brothers are described in verse 4, we learn they “hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.”

Verses 5-11 recount how Joseph has dreams in which his brothers, and even his father, bow down to him. When Joseph details these dreams to his brothers, the stage is set for the tense rivalry that fuels the events in this saga.

Joseph’s brothers work as shepherds. One day Jacob sends Joseph to check on them. He catches up with them at Dotham, and the brothers seize the opportunity to be rid of “this dreamer” (v. 19). As Joseph approaches, they plan to kill him and tell their father he was killed by animals.

Reuben argues against murder, preferring that Joseph be left in “a pit,” a hole dug by shepherds to capture rainwater. Verse 22 reports that Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later. This plan prevails, and the brothers strip off Joseph’s coat before tossing him into an empty pit.

Before Reuben can enact the rest of his plan, Joseph is sold to Ishmaelites,– descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael (Genesis 21:8-21),– and taken to Egypt as a slave. The brothers tear Joseph’s robe, smear it with animal blood, and take it home to Jacob, who goes into deep mourning for his beloved son. The brothers may be rid of their favoured brother, but Joseph still gets most of their father’s attention (Genesis 37:29-35).

Early on, Joseph’s dreams alerted him to God’s plans. As Joseph enters life as a slave in Egypt, God remains active in his life, and dreams will again guide his path.

While Genesis 37 does not speak directly of God’s involvement in the events of Joseph’s life, the psalmist in Psalm 105:16-22 proclaims it was God who sent Joseph into Egypt and gave him the gift of interpreting dreams. These things happened in order to create a people obedient to God’s ways.

As Joseph is rescued, so are the disciples. In Matthew 14:22-33, we read that they are in a boat, terrified by a raging storm. Jesus comes across the water and saves them. Jesus is amazingly comfortable with the churning water, which the Hebrew people feared as chaos. The disciples grow in their certainty of Jesus’ identity God’s anointed one.

In Romans 10:5-15 Paul reminds readers of the importance of proclaiming the message of God’s saving love, a word of hope for everyone. Paul echoes Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Wherever we are, God is with us. When all seems lost, we can trust that God will come to us, to strengthen us to carry on. Who or what helps you to claim God’s gifts of strength and hope in the midst of struggles, and move forward? Who might appreciate a word or gesture of such hope? How might you be a sign of God’s presence to them?

REFLECTION

Stay with us, O God, when we face challenges that elude our understanding. Strengthen us with your Spirit when all seems lost, so we might grow in trust that you are working in and through our lives. Amen.

 

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