““So now, don’t be grieved and don’t be angry in your own eyes that you sold me here—since it was for preserving life that God sent me here before you. But God sent me ahead of you to ensure a remnant in the land and to keep you alive for a great escape. So now, it wasn’t you, you didn’t send me here, but God!.”
Genesis 45:5, 7-8 TLV
Joseph’s brothers “took him and threw him into the pit.” (Genesis 37:24). The Hebrew word, shâlak, a primitive root word, means to throw out, to throw down or to throw away; to cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, or pluck; an adventure.
But over 20 years after being thrown away and cast aside like trash, Joseph didn’t see it that way.
Three times Joseph told his brothers G-d “shâlach” me. Could it be he was emphasizing each meaning of the word? G-d sent me away. G-d sent for me. G-d sent me out.
The two Hebrew words above are very similar – just one letter separates them. I don’t know Hebrew – I only study the etymology and look for deeper revelation as I feel English translations can be limited – but when I realized only one letter separated being cast away from being sent, I wanted to yell!! WOW!
Somewhere between being cast into a pit and being made second in command only to Pharaoh, Joseph’s perspective shifted. Being “cast off” became an adventure and the adventure led to fulfilling G-d’s plan to preserve his family’s lineage.
One letter. One choice. Being thrown aside or being sent. The space between being “tossed aside” and being “sent” is small. Perhaps what we feel and what looks impossible from our view in the pit is really the beginning of an adventure of G-d sending us and positioning us to accomplish His purposes – not ours. Your will be done, G-d, not mine. This is the great adventure.
Father – forgive me for complaining when You’ve been positioning me. It’s uncomfortable and scary. Help me to see it as an adventure and to receive all You are doing with gratitude. Help me to shift my perspective. It seems small but it feels so big. You are good. You can be trusted. Your leadership in my life is perfect. Amen.