Joseph and Lazarus and Injustice

Joseph and Lazarus and Injustice

From Translating the Tradition by Fr. Justin (Edward) Hewlett

April 4, 2026 · 13 min

About this episode

The episode explores the story of Joseph from Genesis, focusing on themes of forgiveness and divine purpose amidst injustice.

So tonight, as we approach the end of Great Lent and move toward Lazarus Saturday, the story given to us from Genesis to meditate upon is the end of the story of Joseph. It’s an amazing story — it takes up a big chunk of Genesis, actually. And nothing in it is more amazing than this concluding statement which Joseph makes to his brothers as he reveals himself to them and realizes just how scared they are at the moment of the revelation of he is. He says to them: “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” In other words: what you intended for evil, God used for good. If we look at the story of Joseph from this perspective, well, it’s quite a perspective. Joseph was, of course, the son of Rachel, and therefore beloved of his father Jacob. His mother had one more son, Benjamin, and then she died. And out of his love for Rachel, Jacob foolishly showed favoritism towards Joseph — made him the coat of many colors, honored him above all his other brothers. And Joseph, righteous child that he was, suffered because of his father’s foolishness…

People in this episode

Host: Fr. Justin (Edward) Hewlett

Topics covered

  • Great Lent
  • Joseph's story
  • forgiveness
  • family dynamics
  • faith
  • spiritual reflection

Keywords

  • Joseph
  • Lazarus
  • Great Lent
  • forgiveness
  • Genesis
  • spirituality
  • family
  • faith

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