So do not fear;I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 7. What does the Bible say about Josephs character? Joseph exemplifies this perfectly, and we would do well today to learn from him. But God does not want us to miss the largely silent, desperate years Joseph endured. Patience is hard, but its great to hear that you can see God at work over time! Relying On Gods Direction Will Help You get Ready For The Future: God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation throughout his life. Obstacles In The Life Of Moses And Joshua Despite our best efforts to explain the benefits of the medicine, he did not want it. And that leader would But never once does it say anything about Joseph having to lose pride before he could be a proper leader. I just couldnt understand why He was doing some of the things He was doing. Joseph was prepared to forget their transgressions and welcome them back into his life, but first, he had to decide whether they merited another chance. (Gen 39:2, 39:21) God had delivered them. When the seven years of good harvests came, Joseph developed a stockpiling system to store the grain for use during the coming drought. Im only 21 years old and I dont want to waste my life by prolonging what God is doing behind the scenes. At the first signs of trials or tribulation, I say to God something like, alright God, if there is a lesson I need to learn lets do it as quickly as possible so we can move on. 0000001557 00000 n He worked to build the infrastructure to store the food. Joseph shows how to glorify God in the dark places, and how to credit Him for carrying His followers through those places. We may never understand the work He is doing in our heart or recognize what He is preparing us for. Thus, his personality has become more refined and wise. Joseph was scarcely more than a boy 17 or 18 years old yet he faced challenges that would daunt many grown men. 0000037802 00000 n Its the perfect example of how many of us think yes! Here are five lessons we can learn from the life of Joseph, son of Jacob, leader of Egypt. A shiver ran down his spine. In the Old Testament, Joseph is a favored son of Jacob and Rachel. 5. Darkness had swallowed the light again. 0000037599 00000 n At the age of 17, Josephs issues intensified. And yet, we are never promised this. The sad part of this episode in Josephs life is that Potiphars wife slandered him and accused him of He was proud and egoistic, ( Genesis 37:2; 37:5-7; 37:9-10 ). Again, thanks for sharing. In addition to at least one sister, Josephs family had ten elder brothers. Sometimes he wants to teach us something, and some lessons take time. He continued working with integrity, but he had to wait for Gods timing to receive freedom. As a young and handsome man, he drew the sinful attention of Potiphars wife, and she tried to seduce him. The real skill was in interpreting those dreams, and that was Josephs skill. It is a great model for believers today who may be struggling with forgiveness and dealing with someone with an unrepentant spirit. One of the household employees who witnessed Josephs act while he was imprisoned and later released and returned to serve the Pharaoh of Egypt was pardoned. Joseph willingly obeyed God, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. But that did not stop him from doing his duties. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zipah, his fathers wives. First, God is with us no matter our life situation. Joseph did everything right, and still spent thirteen years as a slave or prisoner. If you want to be a leader like Joseph, then it starts with one thing: stay close to God. Remembering these two themes, and learning from the Biblical example of Joseph, can bring believers closer to their Lord. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). In the biblical account it's tempting to only see Joseph's heroic character and achievements. My mom will tell you that, growing up, I would ask about dinner plans every day. 4 Weakness: Josephs Lack Of Foresight Has Placed Himself & Others In Danger. Perhaps I see pride in him because I see it in myself and Ive seen countless others deal with it. Nobody mandates that you must continue to be friendly with someone you have forgiven. How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers? Through his own values, self-control, compassion, and sense of purpose, he earned the trust of high officials, and even more importantly, he was found trustworthy by God, who was consistently blessed his leadership. All rights reserved, Lessons From The Story Of Joseph You Should Learn: Top 7. Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism. You just surrender. But today, some prosper spiritually, but in other departments of their life they face trouble. 0000000016 00000 n Fellowship is an irreplaceable means of grace in the Christian life and offers us two priceless joys: receiving Gods grace through the helping words of others and giving his grace to others through our own. What are the characteristics of Joseph in the Bible? In another early text, The History of Joseph the Carpenter, which was composed in Egypt between the 6th and 7th centuries, Christ himself tells the story of his step-father, claiming Joseph was 90 years old when he married Mary and died at 111. The cupbearer will soon be released and promises to try and help Joseph get out of prison. Somehow, Joseph tends to rise above them. Genesis 39:3-4 tells us, And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Were on a mission to change that. The book of Genesis has quite a few stories about important people, but no one gets more time than Joseph. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. There were seven years of feast before there were seven years of famine. Joseph: Bible Character Study What challenges did Joseph face in Genesis 39? 1. 0000036829 00000 n He was handsome. Who needs leadership experience when youre smart or have an MBA? Imagine the pain of his brothers' betrayal, the separation from his father, the horror of slavery, the seduction and false accusation by Potiphar's wife, and the desperation he felt as his youth passed away in prison. There will be good times and there will be hard times, but God loves you and is working in you and through you, even when you cannot see it or understand it. It honored God and gave Joseph freedom from bitterness. He forgave them, embraced them, and fed them. If you believe that the posting of any material infringes your copyright, be sure to contact us through the contact form and your material will be removed! Self-preservation is preferable on occasion. SUNDAY SERVICE || 30TH APRIL 2023 | SUNDAY 3RD Joseph also recognized this when he said to his brothers, God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Gen. 45:7). When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. If there is a problem, I want to solve it as quickly as possible. Trusting the Lord was with him, Joseph stewarded the gifts, opportunities, and assets God gave him with excellence and faithfulness. To all teenage men and women GOD sayslove not the world neither the thgs that r in the world . Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? Gender: Joseph is most often used as a boy name. Ultimately, Potiphars wife lied about Joseph, claiming he assaulted her, and he was thrown in jail. Summary of the story of Joseph in the Bible, How Joseph shows patience through the bad times, Sometimes waiting means doing nothing but wait, How Joseph shows patience through the good times, Nehemiah: 15 Biblical Leadership Principles, 6 Benefits of Praying together for Married Couples, What My Home Taught me about Justification and Sanctification. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Bible Why Did Jacob Loved Joseph The Most? - Bliss Tulle Web#1 Joseph wanted to do what was right but with a spirit of compassion. The Importance of Avoiding Tempting Situations. He was indiscriminate. He wisely feared Herods successor, Archelaus, who was likewise vicious and murderous. But the truth is, He may not. 0000037023 00000 n Great leaders wash their peoples feet. Which god is the father of Jesus? Joseph Protected His Family How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? (Genesis 38:8-9). startxref His brothers enjoyed a nice payday, meanwhile Joseph became a slave in the house of a man named Potiphar. He doesnt respond with bitterness, but continues to work with integrity. Fast forward to being a man in his 30sbecause he was tested, his character had become chiseled and polished. Even when the Cupbearer promised to help Joseph escape, he completely forgot. Moral Lessons From The Story Of Joseph: The Bible contains several well-known stories, including Josephs tale. And whatever he did, theLordmade it succeed. Joseph was aware that it was terrible to sin against Potiphar, but the fact that it was a sin against God made it even worse. Patience is a quality of loyalty. And God had promised Grandmother Rebekah that her older twin, Uncle Esau, would serve the younger twin, Father Jacob. Joseph showed tremendous discipline as a leader. But God had mysteriously woven human deception and immorality into his plan to make that happen. Josephine is a female given name. Joseph waited patiently for Gods promise since he was aware of this. Being seventeen, Joseph was not yet sent to tend the sheep with his brothers, but Jacob did send his second-youngest son to go check on his ten older brothers in Shechem. God will take care of those who love and obey him, just like he did with Joseph. 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! He rehearsed the stories of God that had filled him with awe as a child. In fact, it is true of the whole of human history, what mankind intends for evil, the Lord intends for good, and for His plan. <<4FEF7C0E5C6E534BA660621B585E64F3>]>> WebJoseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Finally, things seem to be turning around. Joseph - Walking with God And he remembered. Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC, is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. 0 I need to wait on God. I may not get it, I may not trust Him at times, and I certainly cannot understand it, but God does actually want the best for me. challenges At Potiphars house, Joseph would have been terribly missing his family, his friends, his home and he would have been very hurt because of what his half-brothers did to him just recently. Nehemiah was an incredible leader, and this free study explored his story and 15 leadership principles from his life. One must be willing to accept the Love GOD with All your Heart mind soul and spirit. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Josephs charge, becausethe. Joseph hated spiders. Josephs charisma followed him to prison as well, and the warden soon appointed him as his right-hand man. How did Perfecto get his name under the feet of Jesus? Bethany Verrett is a free-lance writer and editor. First, he sent wrong signals to Joseph about his position in the family over his older brothers. They approach him to apologize again and seek his grace and mercy. ! WebGod was with him and prospered Joseph in everything he did. and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. Relate the history concerning Jacob and Rachels first son. "Like my forefathers, I will wait for you. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. Distant screams let Joseph know another fight had broken out in the barracks. You miss the chance to grow in godly character and to demonstrate to God that you are expanding your understanding of and relying on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the instant you succumb to temptation based on lame reasons. May God rise you up as God rose up Joseph. Joseph is my Bible hero. Why was Joseph successful in everything he did? After being sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaohs guard, and quickly earned the highest position in the household. He put them through painful tests, but those plans and schemes had a goal. That being said, he certainly lived life with integrity and God worked through him in incredible ways. Origin: The name Joseph comes from the Hebrew verb yasaf (to increase). Then Joseph has a dream where his brothers bow down to him. Joseph faced many of the same problems faced by all fathers, even today - trying to make a good living to support his family. On the other hand, I have a feeling it has more to do with the injustice of parental favoritism as to why the brothers hated him so much! They had traveled another twelve miles away to Dothan. Joseph: Father of Jesus on Earth - Learn Religions WebJosephs own brothers sold him into slavery. Because of this, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing his nation for the years of want. This sentiment is also true of Potiphars wife, and for times in the life of the modern believer. It can be hard for any leader to truly be patient. He shook out the mat. There are no steps. Abraham trusted God's word. His timeline is different than mine. In the same way, I know that God also wants the best for me. Honesty, strong work ethics, even when they are not always rewarded. But God was with him (10) and rescued him from all his troubles. He also needed time in a powerless position so he could learn humility and dependance on God. Many lessons can be learned from the story of Joseph and Potiphar. Jacobs favorite son was Joseph, as most people are aware. Though eventually Joseph rose to power, wealth, and prominence, he experienced many dark days. Joseph understood the lesson fleshed out in his own fathers experienceGod is real! So do not fear;I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Partner a study of Joseph with prayer during times of difficulty, and seek Gods will, and see what other lessons can be gleaned from this remarkable man from history. Day after monotonous day passed with no sign of change. Joseph Purpose In Your Pain: Lessons From Joseph The Egyptians believed that everybody had prophetic dreams. The second half of the book of Genesis tells the history of one family, beginning with Abraham, and following down to his great-grandchildren - the sons of Jacob. I know in my head that I need God, but my heart sure doesnt feel that most of the time. How many people graduate college with aspirations to become Senior VP or CEO by the age of 25 or 30? I love this article! Exchange worldly thgs, drugs alcohol etc etc for The Love of GOD at an early age And GOD Almighty will give you The Desire (s) of your HEART. His devotion to the God of his fathers and to his family, as well as the fascinating twists and turns in his life, make him a Biblical figure whose life is both interesting and instructive. Josephs second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. He has a plan, well and wisely ordered. We tried every trick in the books: bribery, hiding it in food or drinks, and we even had to force it down his mouth sometimes. And then you sit tight.. Rather than return to his father and tell Jacob his brothers were derelict in their duties, Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan (Genesis 37:17b). All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. This was a genuinely great read. As a slave he tried to live his life well and he found favour with his master. When was the Bible put together as one book? Religious Beliefs in Joseph Smith 0000002079 00000 n Instead of acting bitter and intentionally doing a bad job, Joseph leaned into his relationship with God and worked to do his best. He obeyed his father, seeking out his brothers miles away, in order to honor his father. The story of Joseph stands in stark opposition to this. Whether you are looking for a lesson for a youth, a young adult, or someone well over middle age, part of what makes Josephs life useful for learning virtue is that it follows him from a young age until his death, and even beyond. As a person who loves to solve problems, this principle really drives me nuts sometimes. Even though Josephs life took many unexpected turns, he eventually ascended to the position of second-in-command inside the Egyptian kingdom. Genesis 39:1-12 - Lessons from Joseph in Potiphar's House - Bible I am not, in general, a very patient person. Almighty GOD wants us to learn of Him ASAP When we have an earnest desire to Love GOD at an early age, as I did, He will begin to work on your future and the sky is the limit. While in jail, Joseph performed this act for servants in Pharaohs home, one of whom was pardoned and returned to serve the Egyptian leader. It is the ecology of these motifs that enunciates the theme: Gods providential work with and through Jacobs dysfunctional family, preserving it and blessing others. With the quality of his work, Im sure Joseph had hoped to escape slavery soon, but going to prison was probably not the path forward he would have chosen. We have no idea how long Joseph labored for Potiphar as these events began to unfold. And of course, we can look forward to the day when all the bad things will be forgotten, and we can spend an eternity closer to God than ever before. God Prepared Joseph for Leadership The Story of Joseph in the Bible: 5 Strategies for Laying back down he remembered how Father Jacob had been caught in his Uncle Laban's manipulative web for 20 long years. God does not want the issues of life to weigh us down as believers. Instead, God put him in positions of leadership where he could grow in both humility and as a leader. How do you see Gods work, and what do you learn about Him? The Story of Joseph in the Bible - From Prisoner to Prince No Matter the Repercussions, Do What Pleases God: After being bought and sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph served at the home of Potiphar, the commander of the pharaohs security, and swiftly rose to the rank of chief. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Sometimes faithfulness to God and his word sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. We all love the fairytale ending of Joseph's story. How simple is it for us to compromise and simply succumb to temptation? How many businesses or churches have failed because they pursued rapid growth when steady growth would have been better? Joseph can be trusted to the point that Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care. Patience and perseverance in the time of troubles. Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. After all those years, Joseph forgave his brothers for their wrong-doing, even though they initially approached him in fear rather than repentance. O Father. Thanks for the comment and Im praying for you now! %%EOF 5 Lessons for Hard Times from the Life of Joseph. Your email address will not be published. Joseph refuses to betray Potiphar, and his wife gets jealous. Benjamin was born just as Josephs mother passed away. He was insensitivehe didnt consider the impact of his actions on family members. Though we may have our plans in place, it is important to keep our hearts open to where God may tell us to take a turn and do something different. There are two great themes in Josephs life which summarizes all five points well. Even though at times it feels impossible to believe, if I honestly think about it I know that God has been growing me tremendously. A major reason for this, is the truths I have found in the story of Joseph in the Bible. He once dreamed eleven bundles of grain, each representing one of his brothers, bowed to his bundle. Glad you found encouragement from the article and thanks again for your feedback! These things, in actuality, cannot prevent Gods plans; they can only postpone them. Im beginning to realize, however, that this is not how God usually works. This challenge focuses on; identity, favour, integrity, jealousy and forgiveness. Examine Josephs rise from being purchased as a slave to working as Potiphars overseer (39:1-6). Joseph is finally freed from prison at age thirty, or thirteen years after being sold as a slave. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? Life may get easier here for a while, and it may not. He could have just had fun for a few years. Key-verse for Life of Joseph: The Lord was with Joseph. Learn the Art Of Deferred Gratification: We may learn a lot about leadership from Josephs life, including the necessity to resist the lure of rapid fulfillment. WebGod was with Joseph every step of the way. Joseph needed the time as a manager of Potiphars household and a manager of the prison before he became a manager of all of Egypt. Joseph became the overseer of a vast amount of grain that would deliver Egypt and many other people from a future famine. This is not just a Bible story; Joseph was a real-life person like you and like me. They are chapters in a much larger story that really does have a happily ever after. All these problems disappear when we start with the reliable history and chronology of the Bible. He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. Recommended: Best books every man should read. Actually, the story of Joseph begins before Genesis 37. SUNDAY SERVICE || 30TH APRIL 2023 | SUNDAY 3RD What can we learn from Joseph in the Bible? Required fields are marked *. Web18 On the babys eighth day, Mary and Joseph had him circumcised as the Mosaic Law required, naming him Jesus, as directed. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. Once again, despite being in prison, Joseph continues to honor God with his heart and actions. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured (Genesis 41:47-49). His brothers were jealous of him as a result and despised him. Instead, he chose mercy and grace. What Was Joseph Weakness? - Bliss Tulle In verse 19 we see that Joseph was a good man and was going to break off the engagement quietly and not put Mary to shame. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. Copyright 2023 Bscholarly LLC. Joseph obeyed God and was thrown in jail for it. Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. Everyone Is Entitled To Second Chances: The way Joseph handled his brothers who had wronged him is yet another example of leadership that can be learned. There was nothing Joseph could do to get himself out of slavery or prison. We ended last week with a high point in the lives of the sons of Israel and Moses. God would be their God by His presence as well as by His word.(Clowney, 2013, p. 113) Mosesstory was presented in the Old Testament of the book of exodus begins with the obstacle of him escaping death as an infant. The next time you hear this story taught in church or read through during the Christmas season, resist the urge to hear it as commonplace. Once again, these dreams are concerned with food, sustenance, and the earth: By interpreting this dream correctly, Joseph averts a famine and saves the people. Im going to start a company and turn it into a Fortune 500 in three years!

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