Family Spokesperson
I grew up in a relatively large family. My parents both had 7 other siblings in their immediate family. My immediate family had 3 boys and 2 girls. When I was younger, my family traveled around the area of our home and sang at churches. If we had a family spokesperson, it was my Dad. He consulted my Mom a lot, but he was the leader of our family and the spokesperson. There are times when a family is in such turmoil, they need an outside person to speak on behalf of the family. The spokesperson is a trusted, loyal friend or possibly even another family member.
Joseph, as second in command to Pharaoh, was holding all the cards in dealing with his brothers who came from Canaan to get food. He had recognized them when they came to Egypt, but they didn’t recognize him. He had kept Simeon, the next to the oldest, in Egypt while the brothers went home with their grain and Joseph explained that they must come back with their youngest brother, otherwise he will assume that they are spies. They finally return to Egypt with their younger brother and Joseph has a few tricks up his sleeve. He sends them back home along with Benjamin, but has his staff put his special cup in Benjamin’s sack. Then his staff catches up with the brothers and accuses them as thieves. They are back in front of Joseph and Judah steps forward to speak on behalf of his brothers. Check this out….
18 Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.
30 “And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. 31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. 32 My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’
33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!”(Genesis 44:18,30-34 NLT)
It appears that Judah made a fine family spokesperson. I suspect the others didn’t know what to say. I think there are some excellent traits that a family spokesman should possess.
- Honest
- Love for the family
- Inclusive of all
- Wisdom
- Well spoken
- Protector/Defender
Now that my parents are up in years, my Dad is still the spokesperson and he consults with Mom daily. I’m happy to serve as their spokesman when dealing with insurance issues, medical issues or anything that they need my help with. I’ve had some pretty “frank conversations” because I feel like there are people out there who prey on elderly people to sell them stuff they don’t need.
I want the Lord to be my family spokesperson. I want Him to defend me against those who seek to harm me.
You know before I do
Where my heart can seek to find Your truth
Your mercy is the shade I’m living in
You restore my faith and hope again
When I thought I lost me
You knew where I left me
You reintroduced me to Your love
You picked up all my pieces
Put me back together
You are the defender of my heart (Defenderwritten by Rita Springer performed by Upper Room)
Pressing On!
Dwayne