Hollywood: A Strange Place to Find Good Theology

Last updated May 8, 2012 by Matt

The story of Joseph is one of the more compelling accounts in the Bible of God’s sovereignty over events of history and the sinful choices of men. It has become an encouragement to me and my family in recent weeks and has renewed our faith in God’s goodness to work all things for his glory and our good. Recently, I found an animated film on Netflix that retells the story of Joseph. It has become a favorite for the girls. Strangely, it contains some good theology.

Summary of the Biblical Joseph

The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37. Joseph is the favored eleventh son of Jacob, which causes bitterness and envy in Joseph’s older brothers. Because of this envy, Joseph’s brothers plot to sell Joseph into slavery and lie to Jacob about Joseph’s fate, hoping to be rid of Joseph forever.

But instead of being rid of Joseph, the brothers contribute to God’s redemptive history. You see, in God’s providence, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, a high official in Egypt. After being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, God preserves Joseph’s life with time in prison, which leads to Joseph interpreting dreams for two of the prisoners. The cup bearer, whose dream meant that he would be freed to serve Pharaoh again, tells Pharaoh of Joseph when Pharaoh is vexed by his own dreams. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream and is catapulted into second-in-command over the most powerful nation in the world.

The climax of the story comes when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers who came to Egypt to buy food. In the Bible the reunion is followed by Jacob’s family coming to Egypt. The point of the story, the teaching that God is sovereign, even over the sinful choices of men, does not come until Jacob dies. Joseph’s brothers fear that he will take revenge on them now that their father is dead. But Joseph understood God’s intention

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. — Genesis 50:15-21, ESV

Hollywood’s interpretation

Similar to the account in the Bible, Hollywood—specifically Dreamworks—released Joseph: King of Dreams in 2000. The story is as compelling as the Bible account. And, with the exception of some pop interpretations, biblical theology is accurately portrayed in the film. One particular scene stands out to me, and it reminds me of the truth that God knows what’s going on in my circumstances and he is working them for his glory. The scene is a song, the lyrics to which are posted below. These are decent lyrics.

The dangers of both the movie and the Bible account is to think that God wants everyone to be in command of countries. The dangers are the propagation of a prosperity gospel. God doesn’t promise to make us rich and prosperous in the end. So even though Joseph ended up very successful, we cannot expect the same. Rather, the story of Joseph teaches us that God is in control and that his purposes are for his glory and our ultimate good, though it may not seem like it at the present time.

Better Than I

I thought I did what’s right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don’t know
Is part of getting through

I try to do what’s best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in you

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was you who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me will you teach me

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
I’ll take what answers you supply
You know better than I