Why Was Joseph Such a Hottie?

Just how good looking was Joseph? What sort of gorgeous could have inspired legends? Why did God, in His inspired Scripture and eternal Truth, record the infamous detail that Joseph was “well-built and handsome” (Gen. 39:7)? Weren’t other biblical heroes well-built and/or handsome?

Samson never had trouble finding a date. David was “healthy and handsome” (1 Sam. 16:12)–but he was sort of a pip-squeak when he tried on King Saul’s armor, right? I get the impression he was small in stature compared to his brothers and his best friend (Saul’s son), Prince Jonathan. We can assume David’s son, Solomon, was good-looking too since he had 700 wives and 300 porcupines–er, uh, concubines. Or did his wealth make him the most hottest hubby of ancient Israel?

Why Focus on Joseph’s Appearance?

Joseph was different somehow. From the beginning–actually, before his birth–we’re told Joseph was meant to be beautiful. His mother, Rachel, was so stunning in figure and appearance that she made Jacob weep (Gen. 29:9-17)!

What’s up with appearance, Lord? (…says the ugly-duckling author who still feels as insecure as a junior-high wallflower at public functions.)

Speaking of insecurity–let’s take a look at the other sister. Poor Leah . . .

“Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel . . . He finished the [wedding] week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife . . . Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.” Genesis 29:16–18; 28-30

God Sees the Uglies

I try not to hate Jacob for the way he treated Leah in those early days, but I love how the Lord loved her.

“When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” Genesis 29:31

BTW, we don’t know that Leah was ugly. Weak eyes could have simply meant light-colored or (as Jewish legend holds) red and swollen from crying all the time.

Not only did Leah bear Jacob six sons, she was also the only wife buried with him in the family tomb (Gen. 49:31). Lovely Rachel, sadly, was buried near Bethlehem after she died giving birth to her second son (Gen. 35:19).

God Also Sees the Pretties

Then there’s David–and Joseph! They were gorgeous. Tremendously favored by God with success. But they also endured incredible hardship–because of the favor they received from the Lord.

Have you ever watched the TV show, This Is Us? One of the characters, Kate, is morbidly obese and attends an eating-disorder support group. Everyone there is very heavy–except Madison, who is a skinny, beautiful blonde. Everyone immediately hates Madison for coming to the support group. Why would someone who appears so “put together” need an eating-disorder group?

Of course, you know the answer. She’s working to overcome anorexia, but her good looks make her a target of prejudice in that room as surely as the others experience cultural biases when they walk out the door.

God allowed hardship to visit even the “pretties” in Scripture, but He never abandoned them to face it alone.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” Psalm 23:4

Why Did God Allow Such Injustice?

Think about all the great Bible heroes you know of and consider their stories. How many suffered great injustices? A lot, right?

I think of Joseph and David, of course, but also Daniel. He was a good looking kid, too (Dan. 1:4). The other great injustice that comes to mind is poor Hosea. God commanded him to marry the prostitute, Gomer, and then take her back repeatedly after every time she committed adultery. Aaaaagh!

Why would God allow such good men to endure such great injustice–regardless of their appearance? My heart pondering has come across two reasons.

Reason #1: To Accurately Portray Christ’s Earthly Ministry in the OT

The main reason I write Old Testament biblical fiction is to reveal the Crimson Thread of the Cross that runs through the whole Bible. Jesus is on every page–from Genesis to Revelation.

The life stories of Moses, Elijah, David, and Joseph are recounted in vivid detail because they’re Christ-figures–men whose lives mirrored Christ’s coming ministry on earth in some way(s).

Here’s something you already know but we too often forget:

Jesus endured the greatest INJUSTICE the world has ever known! 

I get indignant if a retailer won’t fix an error on my credit card charge. It’s so UNFAIR!

Really?

Precursors to Christ

Then I look at David. He was anointed King of Israel, but he never tried to take the throne from Saul. Did that matter? No! Saul unjustly accused him of treason and hunted him like a dog in the wilderness. After Saul died, did David get the throne? No! He ruled only the tribe of Judah from Hebron for seven more years! Are you kidding me? Unjust. Unjust!

And Joseph? Gorgeous, handsome, bronzed and ripped Joseph? He’d taken lunch to his brothers, and they tossed him in a dry well and then sold him as a slave! In Egypt, he did nothing but good stuff and got thrown in prison on false rape charges–though his master HAD to know he was innocent, right? Unjust. Unjust!

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4–6

Yes, the epitome of injustice.

Reason #2: To Keep Us From Becoming Prideful.

Pride is a sneaky and deadly parasite. It sucks the life from us before we even realize it’s captured our hearts. I believe our all-knowing God saves both the pretties and the uglies from falling into pride–because it’s a snare to us both!

“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4

Tragedy is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve conquered a giant (David) or been promised future success (Joseph) or whether God’s goodness gives you victory over tormentors (Leah).

When tragedy strikes–as it does for us all–the only one who reaches BEYOND the pretty OR the ugly is the Creator who sees us through perfect eyes.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13–14

Today’s Questions to Ponder:

I’ve given my thoughts on the reasons Joseph might have been sooooooo good looking–and Scripture makes sure we know it.

• Are there other reasons you’ve considered?
• How has God kept you humble (as a Rachel or a Leah; a Joseph or a Hosea)?
• How has God shown you favor and encouraged you?