Choosing the Right Narrative
Prince Harry has just finished a book about his life. There’s not a release date, but it may be coming out in time for the 2022 Christmas season. Here’s a portion of the press release.
“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” the 35-year-old said in the statement
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”
But what kind of book will it be?
Speculation
Because of the Oprah interview, and the hurt it caused, the palace is said to be understandably nervous. Prince Harry and Meghan accused a royal family member of racism. When Meghan was pregnant the 1st time, a member of Harry’s family made a comment about the baby’s possible skin color.
Harry wouldn’t name the person who made the remark.
It was initially seen as an act of mercy on the prince’s part. But the outcome had devastating results for the British royal family.
Social media exploded with speculation, about who had made the offending comment. Everyone but the Queen and her husband Prince Phillip ended up being slimed as racist. Many royals were certainly innocent of the charge, but had no way of proving it.
When Prince Harry declares his book will be “a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful,” it’s from his point of view. So it depends on how he perceives the past events of his life.
Most of all, this autobiography will reveal the state of Prince Harry’s heart toward his family.
Has he become a more compassionate man, willing to forgive? Or will he bring the hammer down?
We’ll soon find out.
Another Truth-Teller
Let me tell you about another wronged “prince.” You’ll find Joseph’s story starting in Genesis 37.
Jacob favored Joseph above all his other sons, even giving him an ornate, colorful robe. Joseph certainly didn’t help the situation; he acted like an annoying little squirt, boasting about his dreams and telling tales about his brothers to their father. Soon his 10 older brothers’ dislike turned into murderous hatred.
- Seizing Joseph, they stripped off his princely robe and dropped him into a dry cistern. His loving relatives’ plan? Let their little brother die slowly of thirst.
- Changing their minds, 9 of his brothers sold him to some traders, traveling to a foreign land; Egypt.
- There Joseph became a slave in Potiphar’s household.
- Just as life began to get better, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape.
- In retaliation, his master cast him into an Egyptian prison.
- Becoming the jailer’s chief servant, Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker. The dreams came true.
Then Joseph asked a favor for himself.
Joseph’s Request
Knowing the cupbearer would be restored to Pharaoh’s service, Joseph asked him to put in a good word with the ruler of Egypt. But listen to how he tells this man his story.
13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” (Genesis 40:13-15 NIV)
Betrayed, abandoned, sold as a slave, and falsely accused of a crime, Joseph could have named names and exposed all the evil done to him, verbally attacking his brothers and his master’s lying, treacherous wife.
But he doesn’t.
Instead, it sounds like he was kidnapped by strangers and ended up in prison because of a weak lawyer.
Joseph’s words are the surest sign that he had forgiven those who wronged him.
The Favorite Son’s Heart Revealed.
In Genesis 41, Joseph not only correctly interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, he becomes the prime minister of Egypt and saves the country from 7 years of famine. During that time, he reunites with his brothers who are desperate to buy food. Like everyone else, Jacob’s family is in danger of starvation.
When he revealed his true identity to his brothers, Joseph re-assured them with these words:
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:3-7 NIV)
Both Prince Harry and Joseph refused to “name names.” But the results were 180 degrees different.
Joseph saw the hand of God working. Even during his slavery and imprisonment, the harsh conditions molded Jacob’s 11th son into the man with the skill, faith and knowledge to save Egypt and many other people from certain starvation.
It’s clear that Joseph’s forgiveness flowed from his trust in God’s sovereignty.
Only God alone can bring good out of evil.
And in Joseph’s case, He certainly did.
These images came from Pixabay.com.
Editor’s Note: Two days after I released this post, the longest reigning British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died and King Charles III ascended to the throne. She had been queen for 70 years.
