Pharaoh gives away his power to a man that was locked in his dungeon. Seems like a stupid move. I’m no leadership guru, but that seems like a pretty bad idea.

In our weekly Bible study at St. Paul’s, we’ve been taking our time, as we walk through Genesis, one chapter per week. Last week, we read about Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams.

Pharaoh has these dreams that trouble him. One of his trusted leaders tells him about Joseph and his gift of interpretation. So Pharaoh sends for Joseph and Joseph proceeds to help him unlock what Joseph describes as a message from GOD, spoken to Pharaoh.

What is particularly shocking is that Pharaoh responds to these words of warning: that Egypt will have seven years of profound abundance, then seven years of severe famine: by giving Joseph the keys to the kingdom. All of them.

Pharaoh hands over his power to a man that was locked in his dungeon and he does it eagerly. He does it because he recognizes Joseph is wise. But more. That Joseph is wiser than he.

The list of gifts Pharaoh gives is profound, but most striking is that he hands the power over the kingdom to Joseph. Everything. It seems as if he maintains an escape clause in which he can take it back, but that is it.

Perhaps there is good reason that this story isn’t often used as a leadership mantra for anyone. There is no Pharaoh, CEO book to extol the virtue of ceding all of one’s power to a stranger. No surprise, there.

What if we decide not to take this as a crazy scenario, but a grace-filled one? And not one of extreme exception, but of present opportunity? What if we truly understood the humility necessary to let someone else make or break our community? What if we were so open to seeing the Spirit in another and trust that enough to give them everything?

We often spend far too much time in two camps with regards to leadership:

1. Is this person or group making a smart (practical) decision?
2. Is this a democratic and middle-of-the-road approach? Has everyone had the chance to weigh in?

What if the process that’s important has less to do with Robert’s Rules and more to do with the Spirit’s? What if the primary criteria is based on spirituality and wisdom? What if we worried less about motives and more about spiritual health?

Would we be willing to give our kingdom to Joseph? Have we already passed up a chance?