The Story - Chapter 3
I don’t like the older brothers being the foils of the Joseph story. And before you ask: no, it’s not becauseI’m the oldest of three brothers…! Of course I’m not jealous when I look at my two younger brothers and they now both tower over me (“Tower” in this case is 1-2 inches taller than me!) Growing up, I was the older, supposedly bigger sibling, and now they’re the ones looking down at me—literally!
The six Garrett boys: dad, three brothers, and middle bro's two sons, at a Chicago Cubs game a few years ago
Okay, okay, there's a bit of jealousy on my part that comes with that because they like to remind me of it every chance they get - even if it's in good fun (I think?) But it reminds me a lot of the story of Joseph and his brothers in Chapter 3 of The Story—how roles and fortunes can completely reverse, often in ways we don't expect.
In Chapter three from The Story - which coincides with Genesis 37-50 - we see a lot of role reversals, especially in families. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob (also known as Israel), was the *last* person you’d expect to be favored (The Story, p. 30; Genesis 37:2-3). Culturally, the firstborn son was supposed to receive the family’s blessing, but that’s not how things went. It’s like how I sometimes feel when I see my younger brothers surpassing me in height—it wasn’t supposed to be this way! I’m the oldest, I should be taller, right? But God’s plans often flip our expectations.
Joseph was his father’s favorite son, even though he wasn’t the firstborn. His father gave him a special coat, and this favor made his brothers jealous—so jealous that they sold him into slavery (p. 32; Genesis 37:23-28). What’s amazing is how God used that jealousy and betrayal to bring about an unexpected redemption for Joseph and his entire family. Despite everything, Joseph became second in command in Egypt and saved his family from famine (p. 38; Genesis 41:39-40). His brothers, who once looked down on him, now had to rely on him for survival.
In Chapter three from The Story - which coincides with Genesis 37-50 - we see a lot of role reversals, especially in families. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob (also known as Israel), was the *last* person you’d expect to be favored (The Story, p. 30; Genesis 37:2-3). Culturally, the firstborn son was supposed to receive the family’s blessing, but that’s not how things went. It’s like how I sometimes feel when I see my younger brothers surpassing me in height—it wasn’t supposed to be this way! I’m the oldest, I should be taller, right? But God’s plans often flip our expectations.
Joseph was his father’s favorite son, even though he wasn’t the firstborn. His father gave him a special coat, and this favor made his brothers jealous—so jealous that they sold him into slavery (p. 32; Genesis 37:23-28). What’s amazing is how God used that jealousy and betrayal to bring about an unexpected redemption for Joseph and his entire family. Despite everything, Joseph became second in command in Egypt and saved his family from famine (p. 38; Genesis 41:39-40). His brothers, who once looked down on him, now had to rely on him for survival.
Anyone remember "the Bible Story"? You saw them in doctors/dentist offices when I was growing up. Not sure if this is from "the Bible Story" but it reminded me of it!
But the story doesn’t stop there—another reversal happens when Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin, comes into the picture. Once Joseph is gone, Benjamin becomes Jacob’s favorite (p. 35; Genesis 42:36, 43:3-14). And even when Joseph is in power, he shows special favor to Benjamin, giving him five times more gifts than his other brothers! It’s almost like Joseph sees himself in Benjamin, but the reversal of roles is clear: the youngest is getting the most attention (p. 39; Genesis 43:34, 45:22).
This idea of role reversals comes full circle when Jacob, at the end of his life, blesses Joseph’s sons. Instead of giving the greater blessing to the oldest, Manasseh, he crosses his hands and blesses the younger, Ephraim (p. 41; Genesis 48:13-19). Even Joseph tries to correct his father, but Jacob knows what he’s doing. God had different plans, just like how He always seems to flip our expectations in life.
When I think about my own life, and yes, even my brothers’ heights, I realize how often we get caught up in where we *think* we should be. We’re always measuring ourselves against each other, just like Joseph and his brothers did. But the story reminds me that God works in unexpected ways. The last can become first, the youngest can be lifted up, and even in our jealousy or frustration, God is writing a bigger story.
So next time I find myself a little envious of my brothers, I’ll remember that God has His own way of blessing each of us, even when it doesn’t make sense to me right now. And maybe I’ll even stand a little taller, spiritually, sadly not physically!
This idea of role reversals comes full circle when Jacob, at the end of his life, blesses Joseph’s sons. Instead of giving the greater blessing to the oldest, Manasseh, he crosses his hands and blesses the younger, Ephraim (p. 41; Genesis 48:13-19). Even Joseph tries to correct his father, but Jacob knows what he’s doing. God had different plans, just like how He always seems to flip our expectations in life.
When I think about my own life, and yes, even my brothers’ heights, I realize how often we get caught up in where we *think* we should be. We’re always measuring ourselves against each other, just like Joseph and his brothers did. But the story reminds me that God works in unexpected ways. The last can become first, the youngest can be lifted up, and even in our jealousy or frustration, God is writing a bigger story.
So next time I find myself a little envious of my brothers, I’ll remember that God has His own way of blessing each of us, even when it doesn’t make sense to me right now. And maybe I’ll even stand a little taller, spiritually, sadly not physically!
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