Joseph The Actor Series

The old joke is the question, who was the greatest actor in

the Bible? The answer is Samson, because he brought down

the house. The surprising thing is that there really are actors

in the Bible and Joseph is the first. He put on a performance

that would have won him an Academy Award. He portrayed

himself as a tough guy when his heart was so tender that he

was fighting back tears constantly. In verse 24 we see Joseph

overcome by his emotions, and he had to turn away and let

some tears flow to release the pressure. But then he turns

back and acts like a cruel tyrant by having his brother

Simeon thrown in the slammer.

Joseph not only has to fool his brothers by this act, he has

to fool his own emotions, for they are ready to explode in

compassion. He cannot let his identity be known until he

knows his brother Benjamin is alive and well. So he not only

has to deceive his brothers, but his own heart as well, which

longs to rip off the mask and embrace these ten brothers of

his. Joseph is wearing a mask and playing a role that is not

his real self, and that is what an actor does. It is interesting

that the first acting we see in the Bible takes place in Egypt.

Scholars who study the history of theatre tell us that the art of

drama was first developed in Egypt.

In the thousand page book A History Of The Theatre by

George Freedley and John Reeves, the first chapter is on

dramas for trade on the pyramids of Egypt going back to

3200 B. C. The priests were the first actors. It is interesting

to note that Joseph married Asenath the daughter of one of

these priests. Joseph, no doubt, saw the portrayal of the

many religious dramas of that time. He knew about acting,

for it was a part of his culture just as it is a part of ours.

Joseph is so convincing in this drama of the Stranger And

His Brothers that go back to Jacob thoroughly persuaded that

this harsh and ruthless taskmaster means business. They had

no intention of crossing him, and so Joseph was really quite

good as an amateur actor. Ordinarily the rulers of nations

brought in actors to entertain them, but here we have the

ruler himself putting on the show for his own benefit to

achieve a goal he could not achieve in any other way. It was a

controversial choice, and not all commentators are pleased

with his deception. John Calvin found the deception

offensive, and some Jewish scholars feel Joseph should have

avoided this whole scene by contacting Jacob and letting him

know that he was alive before this event even happened.

It is easy for modern men to try and second guess Joseph

and pretend they have a better plan. But let's face reality.

God had led Joseph to this point where he could be the savior

of his people. The plan of God is working perfect, and what

Joseph does accomplishes the goal. I agree with Robert

Candlish who says in his classic commentary on Genesis,

"...we must regard him as all along acting by inspiration."

This conclusion not only fits the context here with Joseph, but

a study of acting in the Bible confirms it. Acting is a

legitimate means of conveying truth, or for dealing with

situations where the truth needs to be hidden from those who

can use it for harm. David was quite a dramatic actor, and it

saved his life on one occasion. David was afraid of the king of

Gath, for he could have easily had him killed.

We read in I Sam. 21:13-15,

"So he feigned insanity in their presence; and while he was in

their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the

doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard." It

was so real that the king said to his servants, "Look at the

man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of

madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on

like this in front of me?" David's act got him out of that

mess, and they were glad to let him escape. Here was a

mini-comedy that David, no doubt, repeated around many a

fire for a good laugh. His acting career saved his life.

Acting also played a major role in moving David to

actions that others wanted him to take. Nathan the prophet

came to him putting on an act about a rich man who stole a

poor man's only lamb. This made David very angry, and then

Nathan let him know that the story was really about him with