Thursday, February 16, 2006

Worth Its Wait In Gold

The Joseph story in Exodus has come up a lot in my life lately, so of course my thoughts turn to it often. I’m particularly struck by something pointed out recently by writer Bob Lee.

Joseph, as you will remember, was stuck in jail under a false accusation. While in the pokey, he interpreted – correctly – the dream of the Pharaoh’s cupbearer. The butler promised to remember Joseph upon release from jail; a promise that he promptly forgot. In fact, Joseph was forgotten for years, until Pharaoh had his nasty dream about some anorexic supermodel cows eating other heifers.

Several extra years in jail. Unfair? Absolutely. The best thing that could have happened to him – and us for that matter? Yep.

You see, if Joseph wasn’t stuck in his lousy, unfair position, he would have been long gone by the time the Pharaoh needed dream therapy. Which would have meant that Joe wouldn’t have been there to save Egypt from the famine. Or his family. Which means no descendants of Jacob. Which means no Moses. Or King David. Or, dare I say, Jesus.

Gotta remind myself while waiting for the oh-so-many things I seem to be waiting on these days.

The waiting isn’t about fair. It’s like comedy.

It’s all about the timing.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sean, thanks for this blog. I needed to hear that as well. It's a great way to put things into persective.

Will

Jeffrey Overstreet said...

Sean, you're provoking me to voice my periodic rant once again...

WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO MAKE THE BIG SCREEN MOVIE THAT THE JOSEPH STORY DESERVES?

This has more potential than any Old Testament story I can think of to make for a great epic film, and the role would give a young actor extraordinary opportunities. The Ten Commandments are an opportunity for special effects, but the Joseph story is an opportunity for complex storytelling and wide-ranging performances. It's amazing to me that this story holds prominence in the world's best-selling book, and no one has thought to throw some money into making it an Oscar-contending feature.

What screenwriter will take it on?

Ya hear me, Act One students?
Ya hear me, Act One instructors?

Gaffney said...

Jeff,

Robert G. Lee took it on for with a Cucumber restauranteer in "Ballad of Little Joe" for VeggieTales. But I am somehow suspecting that isn't the level of treatment you meant.

Okay, let's find out who reads this blog: Any screenwriters out there ready to throw some creative energy at Jeff's challenge?

-Sean

aliceb said...

Hey Sean,
I hate/thank you for reminding me of this great truth 'it's not about fair. it's about timing.' I'm in a waiting mode too & so, so tired.

I hate to be tacky, but the TNT movies they made -- of Abraham with Richard Harris & Barabra Hershey and the Joseph with Leslie Ann Warren & Ben Kingsley are really, really wonderful. I know Jeff wants a big movie. But if you want to see some great acting and wonderful portrayal of the Biblical stories, I love these. Ben Kingsley has a moment as Potiphar, when he is talking to his wife about her accusations of Joseph, that is truly brilliant.

Gaffney said...

Alice - I've heard good things about the TNT version as well. The clips that I've seen look marvelous.

But even Ben Kingsley has trouble distracting me from the definitive Cucumber version...

-Sean