AT THE CROSSROADS 17

Today, we focus on the Patriarchal Cycle Concerning Joseph in the continuing saga of God’s gradual Self-revelation. From a historical perspective, the story of Joseph and his brothers may be set in Egypt sometime around the 17th-15th century BCE (Before the Common Era=BC, Before Christ). This was the period when foreigners called the Hyksos ruled Egypt. But there is no direct historical or archaeological evidence that links a Joseph, son of Jacob, an Israelite from Canaan to Hyksos in Egypt at this time.

The story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt is an elegant story of sibling relationships and of social and international relations within the parenthood of God. It reveals the natural tendencies of being human, while pointing to the constant higher call of the divine.

Jacob’s predilection for Joseph provokes the jealousy of the siblings. The brothers’ jealous plot against Joseph is actually a plot against their father’s love and their brother’s innocence. So the question arises: why should I be jealous of my parents’ love for my brother/sister? Should I not be happy for my parents to have found a beloved, and for my brother/sister to have been so loved? The denoument of the story shows a reversal: the brothers are innocent about the identity of Joseph; Joseph compassionately deceives his brothers to bring in the whole family. The resolution of jealousy and plots lies in truth and reconciliation, brought about by the victim’s (Joseph’s) consistent act of forgiveness!

There is also the motif of truth and deception symbolized by a piece of cloth. The brothers give the cloth of Joseph to their father to tell him of what befell to Joseph. A piece of cloth is used by Potiphar’s wife to tell on Joseph. In all these, the integrity and consistency of Joseph prevailed. (In the gospels, cloths would be used to identify Jesus!).

The Joseph story also reveals how peoples welcome one another to share in times of need and plenty. In fact, it shows how migrants and immigrants can interpret the dreams and aspirations of a host nation, of a host people, and, indeed, lead them to the fulfillment of their dreams for the sake of all. Later, in Moses’ time, the reverse will happen: a leader’s oppression of migrants and immigrants means oppression of one’s own people too.

The Patriarchal Cycle Concerning Joseph reveals God’s free and unbounded generosity. Because He knows our truths and untruths from above, so He showers us with truth, forgiveness and reconciliation. Because we are one family unbounded by territory, and linked by human need, so God is our God of solidarity and justice. While history has its reversals, God is eternally calling us to grow, as One Family, in His Design of Truth, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, (Social) Justice and International Solidarity. – Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC