Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. Genesis 37:31-34
U2 has this great song called Grace (See the video I Attached). In it there is this line, "Grace, she's Got the time to talk... she travels outside of karma." We live in a world that understands Hammurabi (Eye for and Eye) far better than Jesus (Turn the other Cheek). Its just human nature, we want revenge, we want to be right, we want it our way. Jesus talks about this in the Gospel of Matthew...
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
Matthew 5:38-40
If there was ever anyone who deserved what "comes around" it was Jacob. He spent much of his life swindling others and his children, especially the older ones, knew it. While God met Jacob, wrestled with him, and renamed him Israel, his family dynamics had already been set on their path. Much like sexuality in todays culture, Jacob had abandoned God's design for the family. God didn't destroy him for it, but the consequences of multiple wives and concubines (servants plus...) almost did. They jockeyed for position. Their children feuded and plotted. Joseph was the casualty. Sure, he was probably jumping the gun and a little arrogant with his dreams, but did that deserve slavery or attempted murder?
Jesus invites us to break the cycle, to invest in a power far greater than karma. God has this amazing way of taking circumstances created by our own selfish and sinful choices and using them for the good. This story, is the beginning of one of the greatest examples of Grace in the Old Testament.
Maybe there are some rough spots in our past that threaten us today... Maybe there are some wounds that urge us to seek "eye for an eye" justice. To this Jesus says, "the pain and insult stop with me." The rhythms of Grace keep us from becoming like Joseph's brothers and hold us firm when we feel like we've been thrown in the pit. May we people people of Grace and not karma.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
