Righteous Joseph

Commemorated on Sunday of the Holy Fathers and Holy Monday

Biography

The life of Righteous Joseph is chronicled in the Genesis 37 – 50.  Joseph was the favorite son of the patriarch Jacob who had in total 12 sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Shiloh, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin.  Jacob had Joseph in his old age and because he was loved the most Joseph was given a cloak of many colors.  This obvious preferential treatment towards Joseph created division, jealousy, and hatred between him and his brothers. 

Around the age of seventeen, Joseph had a dream in which he and his brothers were binding sheaves in the field.  Then his sheave stood aright, and his brothers’ sheaves bowed to his.  Joseph had a second dream where the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed to him.  He told his brothers both dreams, which only furthered their hatred and jealousy towards him.

One day, Joseph’s brothers were to be tending to their flock in Shechem about 50 miles away from where Jacob and Joseph were staying in the Valley of Hebron.  Joseph went to check on them as it was possible they were seeking revenge to what happened to their sister Dinah in this region.  Instead, Joseph found his bothers in the rocky region of Dothan, another day’s journey from Hebron.  When his brothers saw him, they plotted to kill Joseph.  Initially they tossed Joseph into a pit, but then decided to sell him into slavery.  To deceive their father, their brothers put goat’s blood on Joseph’s cloak leading Jacob to believe that Joseph had been killed in the wilderness.

Joseph was taken to Egypt to work for Potiphar, Pharaoh’s eunuch and captain of the guard.  The Lord blessed Joseph and all that he did was successful such that Potiphar made Joseph overseer of his house and all of his possessions.  Potiphar’s wife longed for Joseph and tried to get him to sleep with her.  Joseph refused and fled, leaving behind his garment as she had gotten hold of it.  The wife turned against Joseph and falsely accused him causing Joseph to be imprisoned.

While in prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of two of Pharaoh’s servants (the cupbearer and chief baker) who had angered him.  Joseph told the cupbearer that in three days he was to be restored to his position and to ask the Pharaoh to get him out of prison.  Unfortunately, the cupbearer had forgotten about Joseph until two years had passed and the Pharaoh had a dream he could not understand.  In his dream, he saw seven fine-looking fat cows who were eating in a meadow.  These cows were then eaten by seven ugly and gaunt cows.  He had a second dream, that depicted seven plump ears of corn being devoured by seven thin and blighted ears of corn.  Joseph told the Pharaoh that his dreams revealed that God will allow there to be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine in Egypt.  Therefore, Joseph recommended that they should store food during the plentiful season as a reserve during the time of famine.  The Pharaoh approved of Joseph recommendation, released him from prison, and made him ruler of Egypt.

During the time of famine, Jacob learned that Egypt had grain to sell and sent his ten sons to purchase some grain, leaving behind Benjamin in case something terrible were to happen during the journey.  When Joseph’s brothers arrived, he recognized them but did not reveal his identity to him.  So that they would not be afraid of him and so that Joseph could see Benjamin and his father, he spoke to them roughly and imprisoned them for three days.  He released all of them except for Simeon who he kept in prison to encourage his brothers to move with haste.

When his brothers returned with Benjamin, Joseph revealed himself.  Immediately he forgave his brothers and told them to bring his father and their households to live in Egypt.  Jacob and his sons lived in the best part of Egypt and multiplied.  When Jacob died, he was returned to the land of Canaan to rest with his wife Leah.  Joseph remained in Egypt and was placed in a coffin after living for 110 years.

Reflection

In preparation for Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, the Righteous Joseph is commemorated on Holy Monday.  Joseph is a prototype or icon of Christ, and his life exemplifies the mystery of God’s providence, promise, redemption, and forgiveness.  There are several symbols in Joseph’s life that point to Christ. 

First, both Joseph and Christ were beloved to their fathers, “[Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his sons” (Gen. 37:3) and “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17).  Out of Jacob’s love he gave Joseph a multi-colored robe, which represents the Church as it is made out of many threads or nations.  As the garment would lose its strength and beauty if a thread were removed so too would the Church be if one of her members left.  Isaiah 61:10 says, “My soul shall be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with the garment of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness; as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments.”  When Joseph was sold, his cloak was dipped in blood prefiguring the blood of Christ’s sacrifice and the birth of the Church.

Like Christ, out of obedience to his father and love for his brothers Joseph left his home to find and visit his brothers.  When Joseph met his brothers, he was treated as like Christ was treated in the days leading up to His Crucifixion.  The death of both Joseph and Christ were discussed by his brothers and Jews.  Joseph being tossed into the pit and being lifted out of it is an image to Christ going into Hades and then rising from the dead.  Lastly both were sold.  Judah sold Joseph to become a slave in Egypt for 20 pieces of silver.  Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces.

To preserve his purity Joseph fled his master’s wife leaving his garment behind.  Unlike Adam who was ashamed of his nakedness, Joseph kept his honor by following Christ and forsaking things of this world.  Like Potiphar’s wife, the tomb could not contain Christ and when Christ rose, He left His linen clothes in the tomb.

When Joseph’s brother sought grain in Egypt, he knew them even though they did not recognize him.  This is also true for Christ, as He knows us all by name.  In Joseph’s love for his brothers, he spoke to them roughly not because he was angry with them, but to keep his identity hidden and to not cause them to be afraid.  This approach can also be found in God as there are times when out of His abundant love for us He seems rough so that we can restore our relationship with Him and fulfill His plans for us.

Troparion

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Kontakion – Tone 8

Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, / but the noble one was seated in a chariot and honored as a king; / for when he refused to be enslaved by the desires of the Egyptian woman, / he was glorified by Him who beholds the hearts of men, / and bestows an incorruptible crown.

Bibliography

Malaty, Fr Tadros. “The Book of Genesis.” Accessed February 28, 2022. http://www.orthodoxebooks.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/Genesis%20-%20Father%20Tadros%20Yacoub%20Malaty.pdf