All in the Family

January 30, 2012

As we have seen in previous posts, biblical shalom involves wholeness, delight, and a sense of meaning and purpose for all of God’s creation. Shalom is the way things are supposed to be.

To help us understand the full meaning of shalom, we have been reflecting on its four-faceted character — peace with nature, peace in society, peace with ourselves, and peace with God. This is the first in the series on peace in society.
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The Bunker Family*

One of the first posts in this blog used a series of biblical passages from the life of Joseph to help us fill out our understanding of this magnificent word shalom? In chapters 43-45 of Genesis, the narrative about Joseph and his brothers comes to a climax.

You may remember that Joseph, Prime Minister of Egypt, orders his staff to hide one of his special cups in the grain sack of his young brother Benjamin. Joseph then orders his imperial guard to pursue the caravan of his brothers loaded with grain and to confront them with Benjamin’s “crime.” Fearful of being condemned to a life of slavery, Joseph’s brothers are brought back into his presence.

It is during this confrontation with his brothers over the “crime” of Benjamin that Joseph’s love for his family overwhelmed him and he wept so loudly that members of his court who were outside his chambers heard his cries. Despite having been sold as a slave by his brothers, Joseph told them that it was all part of God’s plan to save their lives. Rather than seeking revenge, Joseph said: “It is not you who sent me here, but God” (45:8).

Joseph repeated the same message to his brothers following the death of their father, as recorded in the last chapter of Genesis: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives [from the famine]. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (50-20-21a).
Archie & Meathead in Battle *
These kind words were accompanied by generous deeds as Joseph protected all of the families of his brothers from the devastating drought by providing food and land for them in Egypt. Joseph was a peacemaker in his own family. He forgave his brothers for what they had done to him and paid back their evil with good.

For many of us, a good place to exercise our calling as peacemakers is in our own families. Healing brokenness, renewing relationships that have gone cold, reaching out to brothers or sisters who have little contact with us – these are good places to start. Jesus has commanded us to put shalom into practice and Joseph’s remarkable response to the injustices he endured is a model for us.

So What?

  • Trusting God and not carrying around pain from past grievances — or a desire for revenge — takes faith. It is also a practical first step in our journey as peacemakers. It reminds me of the slogan “Think globally, act locally.”
  • So many of our families are torn apart by things that happened years ago that have never been addressed. Sometimes we carry these old grudges for years and the pain continues to spread through our family. Being a peacemaker like Joseph requires us to learn how to forgive, to take the first steps toward rebuilding a relationship. Do you know of a situation like this in your family? What can you do begin healing the divisions?

*NOTE: “All in the Family” was a popular television series featuring the Bunker family that was broadcast in the U.S. from 1971-1979.