“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23 NIV)
Jesus’ reprimand smarts a bit and I can’t help but wonder how many times He could say these same words to me. I don’t know about you, but my flesh is always fighting for priority in my story. My agenda and desires are bossy, ever attempting to dethrone the concerns of God in my snippet of His story.
Yesterday I was thinking of Simeon. I’ve been reading the Joseph saga and it’s quite an adventure detailed in the last twenty-three chapters of Genesis. One might read this chronicle and come to wrong conclusions: it is far more a story about God than Joseph. I’ve loved the Joseph legend for as long as I can remember; Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of my favorite Broadway spectacles. But in this read-through, the lesser brother, Simeon, stood out. Simeon got stuck in Egypt in between family grocery runs.
“He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.”
(Genesis 43:24 NIV)
Though this is a beloved Bible story, I had missed the sacrifice of Simeon. It’s kind of appalling. The brothers had gone to Egypt to appeal to Zaphenath-Paneah (Joseph’s alias, he’d been renamed by Pharaoh). The large family had run low on food. Upon arrival, they were accused as spies. After a very strange and lengthy encounter with this foreign leader, they were sent home without one brother. Simeon was left behind as a pledge ensuring their return.
The brothers were buried in guilt (Genesis 42:21-22) but could see no way past it. They leave Simeon in Zaphenath-Paneah’s custody and returned home. Jacob was infuriated by their spinelessness.
“You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” (Genesis 42:36 NIV)
So Simeon stayed behind. What condition did Joseph keep him in? How was he treated? What was he told? How much time passed between supply runs? How could his brothers leave him for dead?
The biblical silence on this subject is deafening. The reader is left to wonder as the story traipses forward. Eventually the rations ran out and the famine forced the brothers to face their fear again. They brought measly peace offerings: a little balm and honey, some pistachios and almonds. Certainly not enough to appease an offended prince. Yet strangely, at initial reception, Simeon was returned to his family without fanfare or even notable reaction.
“Then he brought Simeon out to them.” (Genesis 43:23 NIV)
As I pondered Simeon’s experience I realized he’s not all that important. He is a secondary character at most; a small supporting role in the story at large. And I realized, that’s me, too.
See, American culture has crafter this mindset that we are always the main character this adventure called life. We value individualism over community. Unique experience over collective welfare. Our own experience above the experience of others. We feel the need to be noticed, to scratch and claw our way to the top, to seize success at all costs. But we forget, we are Simeon. This is God’s story and His plot is the primary focus. We can be stumbling blocks to His concerns or we can submit to His plans and share in His heart for all of mankind.
When I was a kid, I loved theater. I loved being a part of a production. And one of the things they teach the supporting cast is that there are no insignificant parts. For a play to be truly believable, every character; from principle to chorus to stage production, needs to bring their very best to the performance and stay in their lane.
This life is not about me or you or Peter or Simeon. It’s about the God of Creation accomplishing His purpose. His saga is complicated and thrilling. And we are privileged cast members; invited to play a supporting role in the most amazing story ever told. Let’s decide to be delighted with that, grateful to be included but never demanding center stage for ourselves.
“For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be the glory and honor forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36 AMP)
Lord, please help us remember this story is about You, not us. Give us the courage to be the lesser character. Let us step back as You step forward. May Your purposes shine out from our narrative. We trust Your good plan unfolding. Amen.