A Garden in the City

A Devotion on Genesis 45: 1 – 15

Imagine a royal garden full of weeds: Joseph’s garden. A leader in a time of drought and climatic change, Joseph considered a very uncertain future and economic downturn. Fear was injected into society. Joseph endured each crisis without a loving, supportive family. No one sent flowers to ease his pain.

Hollywood might cast Joseph as a man who finally had a chance to even the score. Or he could be scripted to provide relief only to his father. He could write a check to provide food for all the brothers, and remain detached and alone in Pharaoh’s garden. Yet the Joseph of Genesis says: “Come, be with me.” He extends full forgiveness by offering first tears, then words, a plan for reunion, provision of basic necessities and finally an avenue of a relationship. Joseph and his family live out a famine in a newly tilled garden.

Joseph’s relationship with God was strong, seeing that the Lord was in charge, in spite of tumultuous events. Joseph had a vision that God was working out good for himself, society, and his estranged family, irregardless of what circumstances dictated. Even though he had suffered from brothers who had wrongly mistreated him, only to cover up misdeeds with lies, Joseph had the spiritual maturity to see the hand of God moving goodness into their lives. A person of vision, Joseph looked to see God and saw evidence of His work. Joseph was balanced in acting with forgiveness and speaking to give God the glory as he reached out to his brothers. He was bold to declare his understanding of God.

I compare the transgressions which Joseph compared to offenses received in my life. I am convicted, for my experiences trifle the pain Joseph felt. As a teen I wondered if I could forgive the same offenses Joseph did. As an adult I struggle to forgive small matters. To whom should I say these words: “Come, be with me?” Who do I need to listen to as they repeat these words to me? Joseph’s example is worthy of my reading and meditation.