Listen to today’s devo!

Israel loved Joseph more . . . because he had been born to him in his old age. (Gen 37:3)

One of the most quotable movies of the last forty years is The Princess Bride, a movie that chronicles the adventures of Westley as he seeks to rescue his love, the Princess Bride. In the midst of his adventure, he encounters many villains such as Inigo Montoya and Vizzini. Vizzini has a habit of describing events he sees with the word “inconceivable.” At which point Inigo Montoya responds, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Today’s Scripture uses the phrase “old age” to describe why Joseph was Israel’s favorite son. It is possible that phrase does not mean what we think it means. It is possible that phrase says more about Joseph than it does Israel. Why? The phrase literally translated could describe a “wise son.” In the twenty-first century this phrase could be rendered as someone who is “wise beyond their years.” This truth changes the way we perceive Joseph. We see him less as an immature teen and more as a Christ figure. In Luke 2:47, Jesus is described as wise beyond his years. “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” So, even in the two words “old age,” we are able to see God pointing toward our salvation in and through Jesus Christ.

Look beyond the temporal to the eternal.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for seventeen years, the last fifteen as interchurch service. He is a doctoral student at Wesley Seminary and loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.