Recently I have been listening to a handful of Tim Keller sermons on all sorts of pertinent topics, but for this post I wanted to focus on one small point in one of his messages. The point he made was that Joseph is not so much an example for us to follow in the footsteps of, but what he really does is point us to Christ. That's a theme throughout all of Scripture.
If we go back to Genesis 37 Joseph has dreams that suggest that his brother and father are to bow down to him, and when it's all said and done he seems like a brat in some sense. His angered brothers sell him into slavery and he's sent off to Egypt. It's a story full of familial turmoil and, in reality, sin. But if we look at the end of the story, Joseph dreams actually do come to fruition, just not in the way he was expecting. God humbled him, molded him, and ultimately used him for his own glory. He does end up being the savior to his family and his story is yet another precursor to Christ. But the key point is it was all according to God's purpose, for His glory.
All that to say that Joseph's story points (not to Joseph) but to Jesus and I think that's a simple conclusion that I do not always acknowledge. Humanism, individualism, and self-actualization are part of the framework of our society after all. Athletes, rock stars, actors, actresses, politicians, humanitarians are all looked up to by someone. I'm no different, I would name John Wooden, Mr. Rogers (yes), and Jackie Robinson as a few figures I've always held in high esteem. That's not inherently a bad thing certainly. But as a culture, we are so infatuated with role models and people we can put up on a pedestal, because of what they have done. We could even go out on a slight limb and call them idols. That's not often far from the truth. We want them to be perfect. We want someone who is free from the bondage of all the sin and suffering in our world. That's an impossible expectation and so why do you think we have so many fallen idols? All people, even the "superstars," are human. Take a name out of the tabloids and you get the idea.
Even if we look at a place like Hebrews 11 it is easy to be in awe of all these Christian and Biblical heroes in the text, but really who are they? Why did they even do what they did? They were God's handiwork created to do good works which God prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2). Thus, we shouldn't necessarily get caught up in emulating role models, because everyone falls. Everyone is besmirched and sinful except for Christ. And everything and everyone else points to Him and is for His glory.
To take a recent example, the "rediscovered" book by Harper Lee "Go Set a Watchman" supposedly paints a picture of an older Atticus Finch as a narrow-minded racist, who seems like a far cry from the man played by Gregory Peck in the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird. For over 50 years he stood majestically as one of the perfect role models put before humanity. I certainly thought so and now this new wrinkle puts his character in a different light, suggesting that even a literary character is not safe. I will admit that even this turn of events troubled me and made me a little angry. Why Atticus? He was so good! He was so moral! He was my idol! Exactly... It hammers home that absolutely no one is a perfect role model, even in fiction. We need someone else.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2
All the glory be His.
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