G-d’s Chosen and What That Means

In spiritual conversations today, people often discuss being anointed or chosen by G-d. We are told that if we are one of his chosen he will fight our battles and make our enemies bow at our feet. Indeed, this is true. However, Torah teaches us what it means to be G-d’s chosen, and that often looks like walking in humility. With great power comes great responsibility.

G-d’s Chosen

The story of Joseph teaches us that Joseph was the favored son of his father. His father gave him an ornate robe. Joseph brought his father a bad report on his brothers who already hated him, because the father loved him more than them. Finally, Joseph has a dream in which his Sheaf stands upright while those of his brothers must bow to it. His brothers become enraged. This probably sounds familiar to anyone who considers themselves chosen by G-d. G-d blesses you with knowledge and prestige, but when you tell your loved ones they become jealous and angry rather than happy for you.

G-d’s Chosen Means Facing Enemies

Joseph then had another dream. He told his brothers he dreamed that even the stars sun and moon bowed down to him.  This was the final insult for the brothers. They began to plot his murder. One of the brothers, however, convinces the others not to kill him themselves but rather to throw him into a cistern and let nature take over. In this way, they could avoid taking responsibility for his death. So they stripped him of his ornate robe and threw him into an empty cistern. G-d’s chosen have often experienced this too. Those who are jealous of you want to bring about your despise, but they are too afraid to lay their own hands on you. Instead, they throw you into a cistern or exile you from the community.

Finally, the brothers see merchants approaching, and they decide to sell Joseph into slavery. This is another hard-learned lesson of those chosen by G_d. If the people who are jealous of you can’t destroy you, they try to profit from you.

The brothers then dipped his robe in animal blood and took it to their father. They told him that Joseph was dead. They knew Joseph was not dead but told others he was. The same happens to all who are chosen by G-d. People who are jealous tell others you have been destroyed, and have no power.

Humility

Throughout all of this, we never see Joseph fight back. That is what it means to be G-d’s chosen. Joseph took all his brother’s abuse without ever raising his hand to strike them. So, Joseph’s dreams came true. G-d blessed Joseph to be placed in power over all of Egypt.

Finally, there is a drought just as Joseph had interpreted from The Pharoh’s dreams. Because Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams Egypt was able to store enough grain to open the storehouses and feed the people. Joseph’s brothers then come to Egypt to buy grain and are sent to Joseph.  They bow before him many times.

Joseph eventually gives them grain and tells his brothers he forgives them for selling him, for G-d had a purpose for him in Egypt. Then because of Joseph, the Pharoh gives them the best of the land and many treasures. So, when we hear that G-d’s chosen will be protected and their enemies will bow before them, we must also remember that in order to be G-d’s chosen we must walk in humility and forgiveness. We must give abundantly to those who have wronged us and hold no grudges. We must remember that even the harm they did to us was used for our good and was part of G-d’s plan for our life. This is what it means to be G-d’s chosen.

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