I think in order to understand some of the dysfunction that affected Joseph as perpetuated by his 10 older brothers, as well as by his father and even by himself, we should look back at when the dysfunction began…in the beginning.
Principle 1. Dysfunction = Sin:
‘Dysfunction’ is really just another word for ‘sin.’ But ‘sin’ is a word used more in religious contexts and it’s meaning is not always clear outside of those contexts. Using ‘dysfunction’ to describe the ‘sinful’ actions of the players in Genesis has been helpful to me to see these actions in a new light.
The dictionary defines ‘dysfunction’ as “abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group.”
I’ve more often heard the term as part of ‘dysfunctional family.’ I grew up in one of those. The focus was on making it look like everything was normal to our neighbors and the outside world, but in the secret privacy of our home, things were very, very far from okay.
Principle 2. Sin = Entropy:
The second part of the Law of Entropy, the Second Law of Thermodynamics from physics, stated simply says:
• Things naturally move from a more highly ordered state toward disorder (entropy) over time without an intervention of energy specifically applied according to an intelligent plan.
In the above example, if you toss a bunch of bricks into the air, you will most likely end up with the pile of randomly ordered–i.e., disordered– bricks on the right.
If instead you want a highly ordered brick structure, such as a barbecue, you will have to apply focused effort in assembling the bricks according to a specific plan.
Put into social experiential terms:
3. Things that are at their worst can be improved by the application of specific efforts according to an intelligent plan, but only by God’s grace and with His specific help. He is the source of “anti-entropy.”
In other words, intentionality and diligence are constantly needed or things will naturally go from good to bad, then from bad to worse, until they are at their worst.
Principle 3. Sin = God’s Curse
Dysfunction and entropy are the effect of SIN in the world. As Paul stated it from a Biblical standpoint in Romans:
But exactly how far back does it go? Essentially, dysfunctional people and families go all the way back to the Fall–it started with Adam and Eve…
🍎 APPLICATIONS: The lessons we can learn from Adam and Eve’s mistakes seem kind of obvious–
Not so much directly at this time in history, because we’re in the Age of Grace–when God is withholding His judgment in order to give everyone an opportunity to come to Him via the Savior, Jesus Christ.
However, there are still natural judgments built into Creation–natural cause-and-effect consequences:
-built into the physical world,
-built into the social world, and even
-built into the psychological world within ourselves–
Remember, if we break the laws of God…
NEXT BLOG:
From paradise to poverty, from blessed to cursed, from naivete’ to shame, how did this traumatic tragedy affect the first children born into the world?
My look at the development of dysfunctional families in Genesis leading up to the story of Joseph continues in the next blog: Cain and Abel.
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