Test of Faith
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 45:4-8)
The account of Israel's (formerly Jacob) family continues through the experiences of his beloved son, Joseph. Israel had, unfortunately, continued the tradition his father, Isaac, had started of having a favorite child. Israel's favoritism, along with Joseph's haughty attitude, unwillingness to work hard, and his seemingly self-promoting interpretation of dreams, created a perfect storm of envy and animosity between Joseph and his brothers. The apparent last straw came when Israel made an elaborate, colorful, coat for Joseph. Most of his brothers wanted to kill Joseph and be rid of him for good at that point, but Ruben stepped in to prevent Joseph's death and Judah suggested selling Joseph. Ruben had intended to save Joseph from his brothers' wrath, but the brothers acted hastily and sold Joseph to Egyptian slave traders before Ruben could intervene. Joseph spent many humbling years in captivity. There, he learned the appropriate use of his gift of dream interpretation. Eventually this put Joseph in the right place to interpret the pharaoh's dream about an impending famine - allowing Egypt to prepare ahead and offer sustenance to those who were in need, including Joseph's estranged family.
Having lost his prized son (believing Joseph to be dead) and his beloved wife, Rachel, Israel was extremely hesitant to send his sons to Egypt for food. But the situation became so dire that it couldn't be avoided. Israel sent all of his sons, with the exception of the youngest, Benjamin, to plead the family's case before the pharaoh. Joseph had so impressed Pharaoh that he'd been placed in charge of distribution of the reserves that Joseph had instructed the pharaoh to store. When Joseph saw his brothers, they did not recognize him. It's likely that all of the feelings of loss and betrayal came flooding back to Joseph. Yet rather than immediately reveal himself, Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests, while still supplying their need, to determine if their hearts had changed. Later, overhearing his brothers' conversation convinced Joseph of their penitent hearts. He then revealed himself, and offered forgiveness and continued provision to his astonished siblings.
Jesus' interaction with a Canaanite woman presents us with the human side of Jesus that may make us uncomfortable. Here, we are reminded that Jesus was as much a product of the culture and time period he lived in as he is the Son of God. This unnamed woman sought Jesus out in hopes that he would heal her daughter. Initially Jesus seemed to ignore her, and his disciples wanted to send her away. When Jesus did respond, his words seemed steeped in the common prejudices of his day. He said he was only sent to the lost of Israel, not beyond. When she continued to press, Jesus likened her to a dog. Undeterred, the woman shot back that even dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Jesus then commended her faith and immediately healed her daughter.
Just as Joseph tested his brothers and Jesus tested the Canaanite woman, we are sometimes tested in our faith - not to prove anything to God, but to provide touchstones of our faith to encourage and strengthen us in dark and difficult times. Like Joseph's repentant brothers, we approach God with humility. But also like the Canaanite woman, we can approach God full of faith - not in our worthiness, but in the abundance of God's provision. Surely, even crumbs of God's blessing are more than enough to satisfy our every need.
22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that moment. (Matthew 15:22-28)
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