A Farmer Explains a Hymn

Brian Petersen, wrote this hymn during a Worship class in February, 2013

From the Story of Joseph

I didn't set out to use this story for my class assignment, I wanted to do Lyrics about how Israel moved from slavery in Egypt to a free and generous people in the wilderness. However I got stuck on the story of Joseph. I had often thought there were many parallels between the life of Christ and the things God did through Joseph. That is what my hymn is about, the foreshadowing of a savior. There is so much going on here, that I decided to also add a commentary to explain line by line, so the richness of the story and the parallels to Christ are understood. See the second page for this. I have no idea how you would put music to this, but it does sound poetical. I might have switched forms for the last paragraph, but those were the words in my mind. What does it mean when the poem is 16 short lines and the explanation is three pages? I guess there is more going on here than meets the eye. Check it out. Here is the poem again.

A diadem of colors, white, Israel's favorite son

Foresees majestic future, bright, from the Holy One.

Wicked jealous brothers, bent, no vision only cost

Betray the young redeemer, sent, a son of Israel lost

A sojourn in a country, far, of stripes and victories won

A faithful broken servant's, star, keeps listening as a son

Two men in dungeon dreary, three, have messages divine

For one the bread is broken, tree, one partakes the wine.

A holy humble servant, best, suffering but meek

A vision during kingly, rest, interpretations seek

A whisper from creator, of mystery, earthly kings

Lifts up a slave, of history, a world salvation brings

Israel's King triumphant, fight, His wisdom bless and save

Narrow path for lasting life, of light, from birth to grave

Brothers restored, Israel unite, to the Son of favor

The Father saved, The Spirit's might, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Okay, so here goes on the explanation. I did not intend this when they were written, but I found out later that many of the stanzas have multiple meanings, so I thought it might be helpful to explain as some are not obvious, unless you contemplate a bit.

A diadem of colors, white, Israel's favorite son

A diadem is royal apparel.  Joseph's coat of many colors, all colors reflect from white.  Jesus wears a white robe in Revelation. Joseph's father was Israel and he was clearly his fathers favorite. Jesus, as messiah, would ultimately grow in favor of God and man. But not in a sense of favoritism but in a whole, pure, good and sinless way.

Foresees majestic future, bright, from the Holy One.

Joseph had a dream where his father and brothers would bow down to him, even the sun and moon (his father and mother) would someday follow his leadership. Joseph always acknowledge God as the source of his dreams. Jesus also acknowledged God as the source of all that he was. Jesus said he was obedient to his father at all times during his journey on earth.

Wicked jealous brothers, bent, no vision only cost

Ten brothers in sin and jealousy set out to destroy Joseph. This was very short sighted and resulted in nothing but grief for them until this grave mistake was restored. But in the end Jesus restored even these wicked brothers to use them to build a nation that would tell his story through out the ages.

Betray the young redeemer, sent, a son of Israel lost

Like Judas betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders, so Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. For a time both were lost to those that loved them.

A sojourn in a country, far, of stripes and victories won

 Joseph was sent to Eygpt as a slave, he was at a severe disadvantage but through God's blessing displayed great skill, wisdom and leadership. Jesus came to earth, which was not his home., he was the wisest man that ever lived, but put himself in the position of a slave to win the greatest victory of all history, over sin and death.

A faithful broken servant's, star, keeps listening as a son

 Joseph was a slave and in prison, it doesn't get much more broken than this. Yet he could remember that original dream when the moon and stars bowed down to him. This was no longer a source of pride but no doubt God used this memory to keep hope alive. Joseph was always obedient to his father, to Potiphar, to the jailer, to Pharoah and most importantly God, he listened as a son. Jesus too listened to both is earthly and heavenly father. The star of Bethlehem for told his greatness and kept hope alive with Joseph and Mary.

Two men in dungeon dreary, three, have messages divine.

The baker and the cup bearer both have dreams. Which Joseph is able to interpret by Gods revelation. Three days is an important time period in scripture.

For one the bread is broken, tree, and one partakes the wine.

I did not realize the thematic elements of Communion in this part of the story, but it is so obvious that it must be right. Also, the two thieves on the cross were similar to what happened with these two guys. Today you will be with me in paradise. Also note the three day period in this part of the story. God uses three days a lot, including the resurrection. I was tempted to use the word three instead of tree. But tree foreshadows the cross.

A holy humble servant, best, suffering but meek

Joseph conducted himself in purity, he was one of the best examples in scripture, he suffered unjustly. Meekness is great wisdom or power under discipline and control. That was Joseph and Jesus was just like this as well.

A vision during kingly, rest, interpretations seek

Pharaoh had a dream and so did royalty at the time of Christ like Herod's wife. Dreams seem to happen at the turning points of history.

A whisper from creator, of mystery, and kings

Jesus is the source of dreams and mysteries. He lifts up and brings down the mighty. You can see his finger prints all over this story.

Lifts up a slave, of history, a world salvation brings

A slave blessed by God becomes second in command of the most powerful nation in the area, which is about to become many more times more powerful due to the God given wisdom of this slave. Joesph's plan to mitigate the famine saves countless lives in nations well beyond Eygpt (including his father, brothers and their families).

Joseph's plan also results in a massive transfer of wealth to Eygpt, similar to the transfer of wealth to the oil rich nations of the middle east. We think that Pharaoh was very generous to give Joseph's family the rich region of Goshen. Joseph transforms Eygpt from a regional influence to a world wide super power with no armies and no human coercion. Pharoah owned it all due to Joseph. Giving Joseph the equivalent of the San Joaquin Valley one of the richest regions of the world. Was a very small token of his appreciation.

In the same way Jesus owns the cattle on a thousand hills including the cattle. His work in history brings salvation to the nations.

Israel's King triumphant, fight, His wisdom bless and save

The lyrics now switch to the true focus of our song. It is all about Jesus, the triumphant King, who wins the fight, the world is redeemed through his plan, promise and the world is restored from sin.

Narrow path for lasting life, of light, from birth to grave

Joseph's example is one of following the narrow path of true devotion to God, all the way all the time. No wonder Jesus would whisper in his ear through his dreams, HE WAS LISTENING and HE OBEYED.

Brothers restored, Israel unite, to the Son of favor

This has dual meaning, all apply to Joseph and all apply to Christ.

Father saved, Spirit's might, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

It is all about Jesus, with the Trinity ever present.