Pharaoh’s Vizier

“Look at him, would you? He’s sure got it made! Everything served up on a golden platter…”

Judah’s gaze followed the direction of the dusty arm next to him. Impressive! Their focus centred on a man exuding power, position, prestige. Clean shaven, chiselled featured, clad in court dress of the finest pristine linen. Pharaoh’s distinctive signet ring winked on the hand gripping an exquisitely ornate silver goblet. A heavy gold chain hung from his neck. ‘Absolute Power’ personified!

“Doesn’t seem fair… him sitting there with everything and us hard working lot grovelling for a bit of grain just to keep kith’n’ kin alive…”

Grumbling, the man shuffled a few steps closer to the platform where the life saving grain was being precisely measured before being doled out. Nearby grain storage units cast massive shadows across the paved area to the queued masses. Murmurs of “Hush” eddied around them. Surely he knew! Didn’t everyone know the tale?

If it wasn’t for the ‘Great One’ seated there, they’d all be long dead from famine and starvation these five years past… all of Egypt and indeed, the rest of the world. Yes, he’d come from nowhere, with nothing… but no longer was he a ‘Nobody’. Now, he was none other than Pharaoh’s Vizier. He’d been used by his God to save them all. Everyone, including Pharaoh knew it… except perhaps this ungrateful foreigner wandering in their midst. However, curiously, he showed no qualms about accepting their aid.

Judah’s gaze returned to their ‘Saviour’. The most powerful man in Egypt, barring, Pharaoh sat impassively overseeing the distribution of precious grain. How misleading looks can be, he mused. Surprisingly, beneath the finery and polished exterior, beat a compassionate heart. He of all people knew that was true. Not just because Joseph had saved the world. Joseph humbly acknowledged God’s help interpreting Pharaoh’s perplexing dreams. Dreams which issued a timely warning of impending famine.

No, it went far deeper than that… he'd refused to allow any root of bitterness to take root, despite the countless trials he’d endured. Refused, even when his big brothers took jealousy to horrifying new levels. They’d cast him into a dry well, abandoned him to perish from thirst. Later, squeamish at the prospect of having blood on their ‘innocent’ hands, they’d chosen a more ‘humane solution’ to their ‘problem’. Callously, they’d sold him to Midianite traders for a measly 30 shekels of silver… sold their own flesh and blood into slavery in a harsh, foreign land.

Incredibly, he’d thrived there. Who’d have thought! The pampered baby brother Joey — who had paraded around in a special robe, taunting them — his father’s favourite son! How the boys and I hated him back in the day. Lording over us with his dreams of father and the rest of us “bowing down to worship him”. Crazy! He’d been ‘asking for it’ and didn’t he get it?

Judah mentally gave himself a shake, before wandering back down the ‘memory lane’ of Joseph’s fraught past. In Egypt, his time as trusted slave and honoured servant had lasted but a moment. Before he knew it, he was unjustly tossed into jail after fleeing unwanted advances from his master Potiphar’s seductive wife. Some repayment for steadfastly remaining Potiphar’s honourable servant! Unbelievable… none of it had soured Joe.

What an astonishing change in character it was. Judah’s memory of the whinging ‘tattletale’ from the days of his youth hadn’t been a promising start. Still, it was no excuse for our heartless actions, he mused. We near killed our father, what with selling Joe and lying about it. Pretending a wild animal had devoured him. That’s the thing with jealousy and lies… like thorns and nettles, they choke all around them. We lived under its curse for twenty terrible years… until that unforgettable day, he regretfully recalled.

Judah caught another glimpse of Joseph, across the crowded cobblestones. Gratitude, relief and love swept through his heart. Memories swamped his mind: Joseph — five short years ago — ruler of Egypt… all powerful, cradling their very lives in his hands, merged with teary visions of Joseph. Weeping, embracing, freely forgiving them all our cruelty, twenty years past... Joseph. Shock and horror had threatened to engulf them, before wonder and joy softened their stony hearts. Forgiveness shattered their shackles of guilt… guilt which had imprisoned them for two interminable decades.

Judah’s thoughts returned to the present, reflecting there was far more to this Joseph than met the eye. This milling crowd saw Pharaoh’s Vizier, immune from troubles, exuding power and poise. Judah’s gaze delved deeper, revealing Joseph, their own brother, made good.

Easing around the never-ending queue, he unobtrusively approached the bustling platform. Joseph caught his eye and smiled. Judah bowed low before following his brother off to a private courtyard. Who’d have believed the day would come when he was actually glad Joseph’s ‘crazy’ dreams had come to fruition.

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Written for the challenge below and based on the Biblical account of Joseph’s story, found in the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50).