Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler

Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler is a biblical drama film released in 2015, which tells the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold as a slave by his own brothers but eventually rose to become an influential ruler of Egypt. Directed by Dallas Jenkins and written by Andrea Gyertson Nasfell, the movie features Chris Jung as Joseph, Robert Magruder as Jacob, and Mike McFarland as Pharaoh.

The film opens with Jacob, a wealthy herdsman with twelve sons, showing favoritism towards Joseph, his eleventh son, by gifting him with a multicolored coat. This makes his brothers, who are envious of Joseph's special treatment, resent him even more. Joseph has prophetic dreams that foretell his future greatness, which he shares with his family, further fueling their jealousy.

The brothers plot to sell Joseph as a slave to Ishmaelite traders, who take him to Egypt and sell him to Potiphar, an officer in Pharaoh's court. Though Joseph is wrongly accused of rape by Potiphar's wife, he maintains his integrity and gains the respect of his master.

Joseph's gift of interpreting dreams comes in handy when he meets two of Pharaoh's servants who were imprisoned alongside him. One servant dreams of returning to work for Pharaoh, while the other dreams of being executed, and Joseph interprets both dreams accurately.

After being forgotten by the servant who dreamed of being released, Joseph languishes in prison for years. But Pharaoh's own prophetic dream, which none of his advisors are able to interpret, opens a door for Joseph to demonstrate his divinely-granted gift.

Pharaoh's dream involves seven fat cows being devoured by seven thin cows, and seven healthy ears of grain being devoured by seven withered ears. Joseph tells Pharaoh that the dream signifies seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine, and advises him on how to prepare for the hard times ahead.

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appoints him as his second-in-command, responsible for storing grain for the coming famine. Joseph's position of power leads him to be reunited with his brothers when they come to Egypt seeking food during the famine. They do not recognize him, but Joseph recognizes them and tests their hearts before revealing his true identity.

The film concludes with a moving scene of Joseph forgiving his brothers for their betrayal and inviting his whole family to live with him in Egypt, where they are safe from the famine and can prosper. The movie ends with a quote from Joseph, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," emphasizing the theme of God's sovereign plan working through Joseph's ordeal.

Overall, Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler is a skillfully crafted retelling of the biblical story of Joseph. The movie's strengths lie in its beautiful cinematography and emotional performances, particularly Chris Jung's portrayal of Joseph as a man of great faith and character. The portrayal of Pharaoh as a sympathetic and wise ruler is also noteworthy, as is the film's thematic emphasis on forgiveness and redemption.

While some may find the movie's pacing slow at times, the attention to detail in the film's portrayal of ancient Egyptian culture adds to its authenticity and helps draw viewers into the story. Additionally, the film's avoidance of sensationalism or an over-reliance on special effects makes it all the more impactful.

I recommend Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler to anyone looking for an inspiring and thought-provoking depiction of biblical history. The film offers a compelling portrayal of how God's plan can be at work even in the darkest moments of our lives, and challenges us to consider what actions we can take to forgive those who have wronged us.