ethoughts weekly- Issue 165

June 10, 2007

Forces at Work

Today as I was riding my bike, with Clicked-in Pam, it seemed like the wind was against us. It felt like we were cutting into it, as we traversed the lush farmland hills and valleys of southern Schuylkill County. As we rode and talked Pam said,

“It feels like the wind is against us, but it can’t be. We’re riding really fast.”

She was right. We were going more than three miles an hour faster than we normally ride, when we are trying to ride quickly. When we are pedaling like crazy, and we aren’t talking to each other. It wasn’t humanly possible for us to be doing what we were doing. We were definitely being pushed, but to me, it still felt like I was working at it.

I think this happens in life far more often than we know. Other forces are at work- Our efforts are being guided. Sometimes we think we’re in it alone, but if we really look at the gauges, it’ll tell a different story.

This week in school, I learned about a true gem of ancient literature, The Story of Joseph. Apt scholars and lovers of the written word agree that in all of the works of antiquity, this work stands out as the cream of the crop. Arguably it is the most masterful and touching work of its time. Though some scholars disagree about Bible, one is hard pressed to find any scholar who believes the story of Joseph was written by more than one author. Further study of the piece revels a highly sophisticated, multi-leveled literary structure, few stories of any sort can rival.

As we know, a story follows a straightforward linear scheme. It goes from the beginning to the end, so it can be understood in a chronological way. So does the story of Joseph. But the story of Joseph was written to be heard by an audience. Very thoughtfully it is full of patterns, and layered with interesting styles of parallels, and repetitions to illustrate points, and bring added emphasis, and meaning. Ancient people enjoyed hearing stories this way. It help to teach principles, and also aided in memory recall. This fascinating style of Chiastic structure is now being explored in many major works of antiquity, including The Iliad and The Odyssey.

In the Joseph story, amazingly all of the following patterns are contained:

1. Linear: Chronological from beginning to end.

2. Parallel: Episodes in appear pairs a-a1 / b-b1 / c-c1 etc.

3. Wholly Symmetrical: The entire story has fourteen parts; the middle has a double center. Each end matches, and the matches continue inward.

4. Half-part Symmetrical: Each half of the story in symmetrical in itself, with a single center.

This true account narrative of Joseph is breath-taking for the dramatic subject matter alone. It’s hard to read the story and not weep. Joseph, a favored son is sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned. His father is ready to die of a broken heart. Then Joseph, with his gift of interpreting, dreams rises to power as Prime Minister of the world’s most powerful nation. Finally comes his reunion with his brothers who betrayed him. But, they don’t recognize him, and he alone holds their fate in his hands. Will he help them? Will he punish them? Is his father still alive after all these years? It’s heady stuff.

I urge you to read Genesis 37-50 for yourself, and reacquaint yourself with this beautiful story. Keep in mind as you read it this time, that for the ancient hearers, the pinnacle would be that God had a plan of deliverance. Joseph saved the people of Israel, by saving his family from certain death from famine. From this salvation, those descendants would prosper, multiply, and eventually come back to the land God had promised their forefather Abraham.

At times when you think you’re pushing into the wind, remember that things aren’t what they seem. God has a greater plan, and he is providing a way. It may not look like a very good way. Languishing in prison, when your only crime was doing the right thing, probably didn’t feel like a very good way, but Joseph was virtuous and trusted in God. And God turned all that was meant for evil, into something good.

Bibliography

The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Comment on Genesis-Malachi by David A Dorsey, Baker Academic 2004.

Lisa DeLay

©2007