The cost of doing right

At my church, we have a weekly Men's Breakfast where we have breakfast and a Bible study. We are currently studying the life of Joseph in Genesis. I am leading this week and covering the portion when Joseph interprets Joseph's dreams.


Beginning the lesson, Joseph is in prison. I wanted to explore more of why Joseph is in prison.


Some commentators offer the explanation that Joseph is in prison to learn humility. That Joseph was too cocky when he told his family of the dream he had where the sheaves of grain and the stars bowed down before him. I don't think this is the reason. First, his telling others of the dream was telling others of a dream God gave him. They didn't like it, but he didn't make anyone begin worshiping him, he only told them of his dream. Second, two to thirteen years in prison seems a little harsh if all he is to learn is to use some tact when telling people of his dreams.


I certainly think the timing of his imprisonment is important. Had the cup-bearer remembered Joseph two years prior to the dreams of Pharaoh, Joseph would have probably left prison and gone back to Canaan, end of story. But instead he was in prison when Pharaoh needed to hear the message from God and the family of Joseph is saved, indeed all of Egypt is saved. But there seems to be more.


Many good people have gone to prison for unjust reasons. I think of two good examples, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, Junior.


Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran clergyman who helped lead the Confessing Church against Nazi rule and participated in a conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.


When agreeing to participate in the plot, Bonhoeffer said "Of course, Christ's words that those who draw the sword will die by the sword also apply to us (co-conspirators). But right now, reason dictates that we must do this, and then of course we still have to turn to God for forgiveness in Christ.” He also said "For the first time I understand what Luther meant when he wrote 'Sin boldly but even more boldly believe and rejoice in Christ.'"


Not surprisingly, coming from a Lutheran quoting Luther, this is a very Lutheran idea, the Two Kingdoms of God. Now I do not fully understand it, but I understand Bonhoeffer to be saying he may be violating the law established by a government established by God, but in doing so, he is upholding the commandments of God and Christ’s grace will see him through his sinful act of murder


I read Martin Luther King, Junior's Letter from Birmingham Jail. This letter is written from the Birmingham jail where he was arrested for marching without a permit. His letter is a response to 8 local white clergymen who wrote “A Call For Unity” which urged using the courts and negotiations instead of marches and protests. Following is a portion of the letter.

Sometimes a law is just on its face and unjust in its application. For instance, I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest.


I hope you are able to ace the distinction I am trying to point out. In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

Of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire.

I understand King to be saying that he is willing to go to prison because it is the cost of obeying his Lord and doing the right thing.


Joseph is in prison because it was the cost of obeying the command of God. When asked by Potiphar's wife to lie with her, he responds "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Now you know the rest of the story. Potiphar's wife grabs his garment as he runs away and accuses him of rape. Joseph is sent to prison.


The timing of Joseph in prison worked well for fulfilling God's desire of saving his people through saving Egypt. Joseph probably matured while in prison. But I believe the primary reason Joseph is in prison is because that was the cost of obeying God and resisting sexual sin.


Are you willing to pay the cost of prison for doing the right thing?