What leaps into your mind when you hear the name "Joseph"? Is it favoritism… bitterness…suffering…false accusations…diligence…triumph… or glory? What was so unique about Joseph? What character qualities did God build into Joseph’s life through his many trials? How did Joseph respond to the Lord’s character training? Let’s take a deeper look into the life of Joseph.

God blessed Jacob and his wife Rachel by answering her prayers and giving her a son. Encompassed in much strife with her maids and sister over their number of children, Rachel named her son Joseph, which means, "May the Lord add" (Ryrie: 55). However, even with this answer to prayer, she was not content with the son God had given her, but longed for another child.

God’s desire for His children is that they be content in Him. Paul exhorted the churches to be content: "And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content," I Timothy 6:8. "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am," Philippians 4:11. As Jeremiah Burrough states, "Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition," (Borroughs 19) Rachel longed for another child even though God answered her prayer for a son. Although we should be grateful when God allows us to expand our family, bank account, employment status, or whatever He may deem, we need to be content with what the Lord has provided us and not expect more.

As Joseph grew up, he became the favorite son of his father, Jacob, because his mother, Rachel, was Jacob’s favorite wife. This favoritism made Joseph the recipient of much bitterness from his ten older brothers (Genesis 37:4). However, God worked through his brothers’ bitterness, and began conforming Joseph to the image of Christ. Joseph had to learn how to respond to the hatred of his brothers, just as the Lord responded to the Pharisees and Jewish hypocrites.

However, Joseph did make mistakes…he wasn’t perfect (Romans 2:23). When God gave him dreams that his parents and brothers would bow down to him, Joseph proclaimed it to his father and brothers. This action brought him even more intense hatred from his brothers, but his father kept these dreams in his heart (Genesis 37:4-11). Thus, I believe it would have been better if Joseph had only told Jacob the dream, and withheld this knowledge from his brothers, for the sake of peace.

Have you ever been invited to do something really fun or to receive an honor, and then run and told your siblings, friends, or neighbors? If so, you might have had a few encouraging words from some kind people, but because of man’s sinfulness, most of your listeners probably responded in either jealousy or bitterness…if not outwardly, then in their hearts. In contrast to Joseph, people need to be considerate of other people and their feelings; and be careful of how they share things with them.

One day, Joseph was sent to check on his ten brothers who where shepherding the flocks out in the pasture. As Joseph was walking toward them, his brothers conceived a plan in which they would murder Joseph. But instead of getting their hands bloody, his brothers decided just to throw him into a dry well or pit. This is what they did…until they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites passing on a journey. Greedy for money, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery where he was then hauled to Egypt and resold again (Genesis 37).

Purchased by the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard, Potiphar, Joseph was put into forced labor. Instead of allowing a root of bitterness towards his brothers to seize his heart, Joseph made the best of the situation, and worked wholeheartedly both for his earthly and heavenly master (Col. 3:23). Potiphar took note of Joseph’s diligence and promoted him to the position of chief taskmaster and overseer of his entire household (Genesis 39:6).

Joseph’s plight into slavery did not slow down his service to the Lord. Instead, it spurred him on. In the same way, when we are faced with a seemingly overwhelming trial or circumstance, God wants His people to triumph over their problems and wholeheartedly serve Him. He does not want Christians to be overcome and stunted by a life-changing problem, but instead, be focused on the Lord as we serve and grow in Him (Isaiah 26:3,4).

Joseph truly demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit in his humiliating bondage of slavery. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you," Ephesians 4:31-32. He did not vent anger and bitterness towards his master as Onesimus did by running away (Philemon). Instead, Joseph served as the ideal model of a slave. We should imitate Joseph’s heart by serving those who are in authority over us with all diligence, no matter what situation God places in our lives.

As Joseph served Potiphar by diligently overseeing all of his possessions, he was enticed daily by his master’s wife to commit adultery with her. Instead of giving in to the desire of the flesh, Joseph stood strong and fled from her. Finally, one day as Joseph was serving in Potiphar’s house, his wife grabbed his cloak and enticed him again. Once again, Joseph fled…this time leaving his cloak behind in her hands.

Joseph’s name has become synonymous with moral purity because of his self-control. Although having the opportunity to dive into sensual pleasure with seemingly no consequences, Joseph took the higher ground and refused to give in to the desire of the flesh. He did not look to women for pleasure, but rather, Joseph kept his mind focused upon serving the Lord with all his might…and in this he found pleasure. Where do we look for pleasure? In the things of this world, or in the heavenly realm?

With the Lord’s help, Joseph resisted the deceitful temptations of Satan. He had on the whole armor of God, and dealt with temptation wisely. Joseph did not sit around and think, "Resist! Resist! Resist!". But he immediately fled from the would-be adulteress. He did not even consider the options, but under the guidance of the Lord and his conscience, Joseph impulsively made a bee-line for safety. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." (I Corinthians 10:13).

When we are faced with a temptation, do we first consider all the "options"? Do we consider the effects of what each specific sin might do to us if we give in? Instead of pondering sin, I believe that we should be so "in-tune" with the Holy Spirit via a clear conscience that the Lord will directly guide and show us what we should do in each and every situation. There is a definite line between what is good and evil, and God will give us the grace and desire to do His will if we are living in Him.

Now, with Joseph’s cloak in her hands and jealousy in her heart, Potiphar’s wife screamed for so-called "help" from the "attacker". This help was unnecessary, for Joseph was nowhere in sight. In indignation, Potiphar’s wife brought allegations against Joseph to her husband. Potiphar started to fume with revenge as she informed him of the so-called scene which occurred. Unaware of this deceit, however, Potiphar acted on his wife’s words, and threw Joseph into the king’s jail.

How did Joseph respond to this? Did he demand a fair trial before a judge? Did he shout his side of the story? Did he let bitterness towards his master consume him? The Bible does not say. But from his past example, Joseph probably accepted the unfair treatment with unimaginable grace. He knew that God wanted him right where he was…in jail. It was the best place for him to be…in God’s will. If he had sinned with Potiphar’s wife, it might have seemed good for a season, but ultimately, in the spiritual sense, he would have been in a horrible snake pit of moral impurity. "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of Sheol." (Proverbs 5:3-5)

So, God placed Joseph in jail. Although a jail scenario might not seem to be a dynamic place for any follower of God to be, jail did have its benefits. For one, Joseph was protected from evil women, such as Potiphar’s wife. Also, Joseph could devote more time to growing in the Lord and learning His ways. Finally, just as in Potiphar’s house, Joseph proved himself to be a man of character, and was promoted to the position of head-overseer of the jail under the warden. "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness," (Psalm 37:3) Joseph did not let the jail sentence put a damper on his diligence, but as before, Joseph made the most of his situation.

While serving the Lord in jail, God gave Joseph the interpretation of two of his fellow inmate’s dreams. As Joseph predicted, both of the dreams came to pass. Sometime later, Pharaoh also had a weird dream, and he called upon Joseph to interpret it. Once again, the Lord revealed the meaning of the dream to Joseph, and he communicated it to Pharaoh. Pharaoh then gave Joseph the honor of being second in command over all of Egypt, with the responsibility of preparing for the upcoming famine.

One commendable quality that Joseph displayed while interpreting the dreams was humility. He truly had compassion on the other prisoners, and while interpreting their dreams, Joseph informed them that the interpretations belonged to the Lord. Also, while prophesying to Pharaoh, Joseph gave credit to the Lord for everything, and said that nothing was in and of himself. Thus, Joseph did not claim the glory and honor, but rather, deflected it to the Lord, so that He might be glorified. Joseph realized and related to people that it was God who was working through his life.

Also, just as in Potiphar’s house and in prison, Joseph was elevated to the position of the second highest ruler in the land of Egypt because of his character and performance. Not taking this responsibility lightly, Joseph wisely led the Egyptians in preparation for the coming famine. He did not disappoint the Pharaoh, but carried out his task of storing grain with all diligence. Of his own initiative, Joseph created a food-savings system whereby the citizens of Egypt would have enough food for the following years.

When seven years had passed, grain was overflowing from the storehouses of Joseph (Genesis 41:49). In contrast to this abundance, a famine "spread over the entire face of the earth" (Genesis 41:56). When foreigners discovered that grain could be found in Egypt, they would journey there to buy food for their families. Upon hearing of grain in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers trekked there from Canaan to purchase some for their families.

When they arrived, Joseph’s brothers came before the food administrator to petition the purchase of grain for their families. When his brothers entered the room where Joseph was, they bowed low with their faces to the ground. This was in harmony with Joseph’s prophecy through his childhood dreams. God withheld Joseph’s identity from his brother, but caused Joseph to recognize them. Joseph then approached them with the intent of making peace in the family and repentance towards past actions.

It was in Joseph’s power to do much harm to whoever he wished, under Pharaoh’s authority. Instead of administering wrath upon his brothers, Joseph demonstrated forgiveness by giving his brothers food vital for them and their families. Joseph had compassion on his brothers, who were going through much hardship because of the famine. In the same way, Jesus had compassion on those who were weak and distressed and sought to relieve them of their earthly distresses. "And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like a sheep without a shepherd," (Matthew 9:36).

Joseph, being in authority, did not lord his authority over his brothers. Rather, he wanted to use this authority to prove the genuineness of his brothers’ seemingly good character and to produce ultimate peace and harmony in the family of Jacob. Joseph realized that God placed him in a position of authority. He thus sought to use this position as tool to glorify the Lord and not for his own selfish ambitions.

Oftentimes, those who are in authority delight in lording their power over their subordinates. Kings and rulers impose exorbitant taxes on citizens. Masters work their slaves mercilessly. Employers suck as much energy as possible from their workers for the smallest amount of compensation. And in trying to enforce the law, the police occasionally overstep the bounds of their jurisdiction. This is the sin nature. When we are given authority for completing a task with a group of people, how do we treat our fellow man? Do we demonstrate true greatness and leadership by humbly serving those which God has placed under our authority? Joseph did.

Jesus expounded on this principle in Luke 22:24-27, "And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called "Benefactors." But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leaders as the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.’" (See also Matthew 23:11-12.)

Finally, after much time, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were stunned. They could not believe that their brother, whom they had sold into slavery, was now the second-highest ruler in all of Egypt! Upon recovering their senses, Joseph invited them to move with their families and father, Jacob, into the land of Egypt. Instead of forcing his brothers into slave labor, Joseph demonstrated true love by petitioning Pharaoh for a place for them to live. Joseph did not dwell on what they had done to him, instead, forgave the past, and sought peace and harmony.

When Joseph’s extended family arrived, Pharaoh granted Joseph’s request and gave the land of Goshen to them. This area had rich, fertile soil because it was located almost at the delta of the Nile, before the river emptied into the Mediterranean Sea. It was profitable for herds and flocks; sovereignly given to the shepherding sons of Jacob. Thus, Joseph and the Egyptians did all they could to accommodate the family of Israel.

Finally, near the conclusion of the story, Jacob came and gave Joseph’s sons his blessing. A blessing is sort of like a special benediction upon one’s life and which carried distinguished meaning to the person. Jacob said, "…Bless the lads; and may my name live on in them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Issac; and may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth," (Genesis 48:16). One interesting note is that the Messiah did not come from Joseph’s descendants, but rather, from Judah’s kin.

After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were fearful that he would kill them. Instead, Joseph said to them, "`Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them," (Genesis 50:17-21). He truly loved his brothers and came to know what this verse really means, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose," (Romans 8:28).

Now, Joseph can be considered to be a "type" of Christ. Many circumstances in Joseph’s life symbolize Jesus Christ’s life here on earth. Jesus came here to die on the cross and give life to all who believe on Him. Joseph had to go through much persecution including slavery and imprisonment before he was exalted in saving Egypt from destruction. Also, Joseph married an Egyptian woman while living in Egypt. In the same way, Christ considered the Gentile church to be His bride. Thus, there are many similarities in both of their lives.

In summary, what can we learn from the life of Joseph? He was a man of dedication, faithfulness, forgiveness, diligence, love, and perseverance. He did not give up when the "going got tough". Instead, he kept to the task set before him, and worked with all of his might. As Jesus said, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God," (Matthew 9:62). He set his focus straight ahead on his purpose: to serve the Lord God with all his heart, mind, and strength. He stuck to his work, shunned slothfulness, and became a mighty man of God.

No matter what the result would be, Joseph did what he knew was right in the sight of the Lord, and He blessed him. There is one verse in Micah which sums up the obedience in Joseph’s life, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8; emphasis added).

Bibliography:

Borroughs, Jeremiah. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1995.

Ryrie, Charles. The Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, 1978.

Search - JeremyTiss.com - Feedback

Copyright 1996-2007

This page was last updated on: October 1, 2007