A Surprise Guest at HGS Live
Plus: informative Egyptian laws and a red-headed priest
Hello! Hope you’re well. Here’s the latest.
Are You Sitting Down?
I have news! If you’re coming to the HGS Live show in Northwest Arkansas next month, here’s an extra reason to look forward to the evening: I’ll be joined on stage by none other than Kendall Ramseur.
That’s right—the unbelievably talented composer of Season 4’s score (who also happens to be an acclaimed cellist) will be providing live accompaniment as I share moments from the incredible story of the Exodus with you.
After collaborating for so long (often across continents) on Season' 4’s telling of the Exodus, Kendall and I cannot wait to get into the same room and usher you into a moment of encounter with our sea-splitting God.
I’m telling you, this night will be special.
So far we have people coming from 9 different states to join us, and we have room for just a few more. What a beautiful thing it will be to gather, to be transported, and to lose ourselves in worship.
If you don’t have tickets yet, get them here:
Joseph Returns
This week’s episode of Holy Ghost Stories picks up the story of Joseph where we left him in Season 2 Episode 9. Joseph’s story has taken on new significance for me of late, especially with regard to the themes of God’s promise and faithfulness, and I pray that it resonates with you as well.
If you haven’t listened yet, you might go back and listen to the prequel episode (and maybe check out the corresponding issue of The Latest) and then hit play on this one.
BITS AND BOBS
Sounds Familiar - Astute listeners may notice that the first scene’s score is a rare HGS repeat. It first appeared in the opening scene of Season 1 Episode 7 (“The Maestro, the Orphan Queen, and the Guardian (Part 1)” — the story of Esther). I chose to bring it back here in order to draw a line between the parallel narratives: a young Hebrew exile ushered into shadowy halls of power and used by Yahweh to shine light and bless others. The piece is the appropriately titled “Outsider” by Alistair Sung.
What’s in a Name - Throughout this episode, I use the name “Yahweh” in reference to God, though I admit this name does not seem to have been known or used by those who lived before Moses. The text of Genesis 39 (where we find this narrative), though, uses the name Yahweh—so I’ve followed that example.
Potiphar was furious—but why? - When writing about the moments after his wife’s accusation, commentators will often argue that it seems Potiphar’s fury wasn’t actually Joseph, but at the situation he’d been forced into by what he knew to be false accusations by his wife. A version of the following: “Potiphar believed Joseph and was actually furious with his wife and the circumstances, and put Joseph into prison instead of giving him the death penalty because of his innocence.”
That’s an interesting take, and I don’t think it’s entirely outlandish. However, I’d disagree and argue that Potiphar is, in fact, furious at Joseph’s apparent crime. One of the reasons: This article from the Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient (“The Treatment of Criminals in Ancient Egypt: Through the New Kingdom” pp 14-15; accessible via a free JSTOR account) cites Hyksos writings indicating that treason was the only crime worthy of death penalty. If this were the case in Potiphar’s day, he would not have been at liberty to inflict such a severe penalty on Joseph, no matter his personal anger or position of influence. This means that the “Potiphar clearly went easy on Joseph because he put him into prison instead of having him killed” argument loses most of its weight.
In the end, I’m not betting the life of my firstborn on either option, but there’s my opinion for what it’s worth. I tried to leave room in the episode for either take.
Gifts to are meant to be gifts through - Yahweh’s desire to be ‘sloppy’ with his kindness is, to me, unmissable in this story. As I point out in the episode, it would have been easy enough to bless Joseph and only Joseph—to insulate the pagan Potiphar and his household from the good things He wanted to to give Joseph. And yet, Potiphar becomes a beneficiary of Yahweh’s kindness as Joseph excels. This pattern will be repeated for the prison warden, and then again for Pharaoh, for all of Egypt, and for the entire world (as nations come to the well-prepared Egyptians for food during the famine).
This is very Yahweh, no? Even now, when He gives a gift to you, He often actually intends to give it through you.
Anyway, all of this through-Joseph blessing reminds me of the Abrahamic promise: “…and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Of course, through Christ the promise will find its grandest expression.
CHECK IT OUT
Without further ado, here’s “The Companion and the Right-Hand Man”:
Leave a quick review if you’re game, would you? I’d be so grateful. I hope this episode blesses you!
A Different Kind of Study Guide
I loved this recent feedback on Bonfire: A Guide to Encountering God in the Exodus:
SO TRANSFORMATIVE. 10/10
I really needed something to guide me through study in a more artful, sensory way like this.
I'm not sure if it's because I grew up in a more extreme legalistic congregation and Bible reading was framed with certain glasses, but I struggle to want to spend time with the text. Looking at it so differently with this book has lifted a lot of of that and made me excited to dig in! I love poetry/ prose/music so I think this is an element that changes things for me as well.
-Sarah D.
If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, it’s the perfect way to use HGS to go deeper in your interaction with Scripture. You’ll likely find that this is different than other studies you’ve done.
To Tell You the Ruth
It was an honor to bring Holy Ghost Stories Live to Houston, TX recently for the Intimate Covenant Conference. We got to immerse ourselves in the story of Ruth and Boaz—man I love that story.
Matt and Jenn Schmidt were consummate hosts and everyone who came was so kind and encouraging. What a joy it is to share these stories this way.
4 Cool Things
3 Acts - If you’d like to level up your storytelling, here’s a great breakdown of the classic 3 Act Structure. No rules are hard and fast, of course, but if you throw this down next time you’re telling your kids a bedtime story, they might not fall asleep before you’re done.
The Red Priest - Did you know Antonio Vivaldi was a priest? (His contemporaries called him il prieto rosso—“the red priest”—because of his flaming hair.) Or that he worked at an girls’ orphanage? Or that he wrote much of his incredible music to be played by those young women? Fascinating. I (like everyone?) have always loved The Four Seasons, but learned some cool stuff about Tony at a recent performance of that concerto. Here’s a nice look at that piece if you’re in the mood.
The Healing Power of Music - I loved this interview with Kendall Ramseur, set to music he composed for the occasion.
Storied Family Camp - SFC begins in less than 10 days! It’s going to be such an epic time. If you’d be willing to pray that the families coming would find inspiration and transformation, I’d be so grateful.
That’s the latest! Do join Kendall and me in November, won’t you?
Gratefully,
Justin
Vivaldi! This is where beautiful things are made—at the intersection of darkness of light.