Joseph's Shalom

The well-known story of Joseph recorded in chapters 37-44 of the Book of Genesis contains several different usages of the Hebrew word shalom. The story of Joseph’s life begins with a description of the patriarch Jacob who had twelve sons by four women and who chose to live in the same place where his father Isaac had resided, the land of Canaan. We know very little about Joseph’s youth, except that he tended sheep with his older brothers and reported to his father about some of their wicked behavior.

Jacob definitely showed favoritism toward Joseph because Joseph “had been born to him in his old age.” This favoritism was so obvious that Joseph received an extravagant gift of a multi-colored coat that greatly angered his brothers. Verse 4 of chapter 37 reads that his brothers “hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Here’s the word shalom – his brothers could not speak “peaceably” to him.

This dramatic portrayal illustrates one aspect of the Hebrew word shalom. In this context, shalom involves interpersonal relationships. The relationship between Joseph and his brothers was exactly the opposite of what it should have been. There was no peace between them.

As the story of Joseph unfolds, it becomes apparent that his father did not notice the stress between his twelve sons that had resulted from his favoritism to Joseph. He instructs Joseph to travel to a distant grazing area where his older brothers are tending the family’s sheep herd. Verse 14 of chapter 34 contains Jacob’s request that Joseph find out about the shalom of his brothers and the shalom of the flock. In this context, the word shalom refers to the general well-being and safety of everyone and, unlike the previous use of the word, has little to do with personal relationships.

This is a very common usage of the Hebrew word shalom. The same usage appears later in the story when Joseph is sold as a slave by his brothers and winds up in prison in Egypt, until his God-given skill at interpreting dreams is reported to Pharoah. Chapter 41 records an incident in which Pharoah calls Joseph into his presence and inquiries about his gift of interpreting dreams. Joseph’s modest answer is “I can not do it, but God will give Pharoah the answer he desires.” Or, “God will answer the desire (shalom) of Pharoah.” In both of these stories, the word shalom meant the overall general welfare of everyone involved. This is a rich dimension of this Hebrew word because it incorporates a deep interest in the whole situation that people find themselves in.

There’s another dimension of this word that comes out after Joseph is appointed Prime Minister of Egypt and given responsibility for collecting and storing food in anticipation of a severe drought. Chapter 42 of Genesis records the journey of Joseph’s brothers to Egypt in search of food. When Joseph recognizes his brothers, he frightens them by accusing them of being spies and demands that they leave one of the brothers as ransom until they return to Egypt with their youngest brother Benjamin. When they return to Egypt, this time accompanied by Benjamin, they were afraid that the Prime Minister would make them into slaves. But, to their surprise, the Prime Minister’s steward said “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.” – or “Shalom to you.”

In this context, the word shalom is more specific than a reference to one’s general well-being. It is a guarantee of safety offered by a person who has the ability to do harm. This is another very common use of the word shalom.

The fourth and final usage of the Hebrew word shalom that appears in the story of Joseph refers to the physical health and soundness of Isaac. When Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph hosts them at a dinner in his house and, during the course of the meal, inquires about the health of their father. The brothers respond: “Your servant our father is still alive and well” (Genesis 43:28). In this context, shalom has a very down-to-earth meaning which incorporates all aspects of one’s bodily health. When Joseph asks about his father, he wants to know “Is he healthy? How’s his stamina, his alertness?” “Yes,” the brothers respond, “he is doing just fine.”

There is an additional meaning to the Hebrew word shalom that can be found earlier in the Book of Genesis, in the story about the end of Abraham’s life. In chapter 15, God makes a covenant with Abram and, as a part of this covenant, God promises that Abram “will go to [his] fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.” Here’s a fifth meaning of the word shalom -- it means completing one’s life in the fullness of time and dying at a good old age. To “die in peace” means to end your time on earth when it has been completed according to God’s gracious pleasure. It is now time to join God in heaven.

So What?

• One thing I learned from this study of Shalom as used in Joseph’s life was that God, who is a “God of peace,” has a big expansive view of how He wants us to live.  God is not concerned just about our private lives or just our spiritual lives, He cares deeply about all facets of our lives and the lives of others even including animals.

• Being a peacemaker (shalom-maker) is an exciting invitation to give your life meaning and a focus.  It is a broad invitation to use your gifts and abilities to bring healing to our broken world.

• It makes it clear that God does not see peace simply as a lull between periods of war, but as a positive, creative vision that restores people and creation and opposes violence and injustice.

• What we have to struggle with is how we can make a difference in a world so full of hatred and violence and broken relationships.