Ive heard people in the past say, I was going through some struggles and knew that God wanted to teach me something, but I was too stubborn to listen or learn., Not me. He did as the angel of God commanded him. Here are five lessons we can learn from the life of Joseph, son of Jacob, leader of Egypt. Would he ever again? You just surrender. Bring your word to pass as it seems best to you. What steps do I take to do that? Youre not getting me, Laura, Bill had said. Every single instance was an emotional fight. 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. Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. 7. 1. Despite her many attempts to lure Joseph into sin, Joseph would not sin, But he refused and said to his masters wife, Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? 0000021033 00000 n Doing what is right in Gods sight, rather than what is right in mans eyes, is always the proper thing to do, even if it has unpleasant consequences. There is coming a day when those who are faithful, even to death (Revelation 2:10) will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. The name is also found in the New Testament as the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them. There are several options for rapid pleasure available to us in todays environment. and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zipah, his fathers wives. Instead of keeping this to himself, Joseph lets everyone know. Instead of acting bitter and intentionally doing a bad job, Joseph leaned into his relationship with God and worked to do his best. 0000011114 00000 n 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. However, this was not his heart. The story of Joseph stands in stark opposition to this. They were praising God and singing songs to Himuntil there was a slight problem. Despite being a man who consistently honored God, Joseph spent 16 years as a slave and then as a prisoner in Egypt. As a person who loves to solve problems, this principle really drives me nuts sometimes. They are chapters in a much larger story that really does have a happily ever after. Justice stated that he could have her killed. Jacobs favorite son was Joseph, as most people are aware. And if you want to learn more about being a servant leader, make sure you check out our free ebook on Nehemiah: 15 Biblical Leadership Principles. Why was Joseph important in the Bible? - Catholicism from A to Z We need to demonstrate that we can lead well with small things before we can lead with big things. What problems did Saint Joseph face? - Answers In the narrative, just prior to this test, when Joseph had first met all of his brothers (but not identified himself to them), he had held a feast for them; the narrative heavily implies that Benjamin was Josephs favorite brother, since he is overcome with tears when he first meets Benjamin in particular, and he gives . Joseph could have used his power to bring vengeance. 0 God used time to create space for forgiveness among the sons of Jacob and also to open their father Jacobs own heart. Relying on the Lord for council and wisdom will always be the best place to start preparing for the future. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). WebGenesis 37. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. And yet, we are never promised this. Joseph 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. Joseph demonstrated his obedience to God in a number of ways: He determined that he was going to obey the Law by sending Mary away. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). Being a slave leader still means youre a slave, so it isnt the really the best position. Joseph 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. Pharaoh assigned Joseph the task of preparing his country for the years of famine as a result. Joseph teaches us the value of self control in the temptation of the youth. Joseph waited patiently for Gods promise since he was aware of this. Most American Christians believed in the doctrine of the Trinity as expressed in traditional confessions and creeds. I just couldnt understand why He was doing some of the things He was doing. The book of Genesis has quite a few stories about important people, but no one gets more time than Joseph. In the storms of life, in the darkest moments, cling to Gods promises, knowing His sovereign plan involves the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalm 23:4), but He is with His children. What challenges did I have much for which to be thankful! The story of Mary and Joseph is an incredible display of faith, trust, and what God can do through normal people. Most of the book of Genesis was taken up with the account of this young mans life. I need to wait on God. In her book, I Give Up, Laura Story shares this exchange with a Pastor named Bill. Moses Copyright 2023 Bscholarly LLC. Joseph He showed excellent management ability as governor. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? God will take care of those who love and obey him, just like he did with Joseph. "I trust you, my God he whispered." But that did not stop him from doing his duties. b. 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. Joseph, therefore, approached this circumstance with caution and wisdom. He wisely feared Herods successor, Archelaus, who was likewise vicious and murderous. Nonetheless, forgiveness is a virtue. I plan to put it into practice. Day after monotonous day passed with no sign of change. God had promised Great-grandfather, Abraham, a child by his barren wife. 0000001694 00000 n What is the theme of the story of Joseph? Joseph hated spiders. Im going to start a company and turn it into a Fortune 500 in three years! Throughout his life, God blessed Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams. It teaches leadership as well as spirituality. 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. Hebrew. 0000022426 00000 n More than likely He will begin to start you off in The book of Proverb or maybe not.I actually prayed that GOD would give me Wisdom Knowledge and understanding now at 75yrs GOD is Not finished with me yet!! In the same way that God can give us the grace and strength to get through challenging times, He also gives us grace and strength to live with integrity like Joseph did. And I would argue that Joseph had a lot of growing to do. Josephs Difficulties and Me? (Gen 39) | Five Loaves and Two Perfecto Flores Petras partner, a much older man who, What is the myth behind magpies? of Bible Study Guides - Gods Plan Joseph Protected His Family They had been unusually powerful, unlike any others before or since. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. The qualities that afterward distinguished him in So do not fear;I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Lessons From the Life 0000037760 00000 n Even when personally Note: Pure, active, and joyous, the lad [Joseph] gave evidence also of moral earnestness and firmness. Great! What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? Joseph could have become complacent or selfish or a big complainer. Once again, despite being in prison, Joseph continues to honor God with his heart and actions. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. Principled- he had character and integrity. How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers? 156 0 obj<>stream He explains the meaning of the dream in Genesis 41 by saying: It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 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. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. !.However, He started with me in the Book of Proverb. We must not be tired or weary in the face of challenges. Instead, God put him in positions of leadership where he could grow in both humility and as a leader. Joseph did not run or cower or cave. And then there were those strange dreams. There was nothing Joseph could do to get himself out of slavery or prison. What challenges did Joseph face in Genesis 39? WebJoseph's story covers 20 chapters, and in that considerable space Joseph receives less criticism and more praise than any of the other patriarchs, and probably than any other non-divine being in the Bible. The Eleven Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Napthali, Isaacher, Asher, Dan Zebulun Gad, Benjamin, Judahalthough acting usually as a grouphave their own different personalities, talents, and flaw. 0000037599 00000 n You just surrender. Not discovered. Im always looking to finish something and move on to the next. Joseph was lucky. Read Matthew 2:19-23. He forgave them, embraced them, and fed them. Laying back down he remembered how Father Jacob had been caught in his Uncle Laban's manipulative web for 20 long years. Wait is wait. It was the remembering that kept his hope alive and bitterness at bay. Ive been struggling with having patience and often this has manifested in anger toward God. We learn that Joseph is his fathers favorite, and his many brothers are already jealous of him. Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. No one can interpret the dream for him, and the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph. Because of the false accusation by his masters wife, his master relegated him to the position of a prisoner. WebNature of God and Humankind. Now lets take a look at how Josephs patience enabled him to be a better leader. If you want to be a leader like Joseph, then it starts with one thing: stay close to God. 0000000959 00000 n Joseph was an amazing servant leader. He doesnt get it, doesnt trust my words, and cant understand why I would force him to take the medicine he hates. Leaping up, he brushed himself off. Each vignette holds pertinent lessons about conduct, righteousness, and what it means to live according to Gods Word. In the same way, I know that God also wants the best for me. Of the twelve, one child stood out, favored by their father, and blessed by God. Foreshadowing the undeserved grace that Jesus would bring centuries later, Joseph did not hold a grudge, ready and waiting with open arms, calling for those who needed forgiveness to accept it. Patience is hard, but its great to hear that you can see God at work over time! When he was reunited with his brothers, he could say sincerely, And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve lifeAnd God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. They worked together to get rid of Joseph. What challenges did Joseph face, and what do you learn about him? Self-preservation is preferable on occasion. Joseph recognizes them instantly, but unsurprisingly they do not recognize him. Joseph was a man of strong conviction who lived out his beliefs in his actions. At the same time, our three-year-old son was recovering from surgery. 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. Our lives have become so much more convenient thanks to technology that we now feel entitled to the pleasant things in life. He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. I think in this season of life you need to wait on the Lord. Yes! He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. Actually, the story of Joseph begins before Genesis 37. Joseph will lead the way on preparing for the 7 years of famine, and he does an amazing job. I think in this season of life you need to wait on the Lord. Yes! These spoke of God as three personsFather, Son, and Holy Spiritexisting together in a single being. Joseph as a Slave and Prisoner They likely were the reason he was now in Egypt. 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. Many lessons can be learned from the story of Joseph and Potiphar. When the seven years of good harvests came, Joseph developed a stockpiling system to store the grain for use during the coming drought. Joseph received a fabulously colored coat and rose to become the second most powerful man in the Egyptian empire. Josephs second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. (Gen 39:2, 39:21) God does not want the issues of life to weigh us down as believers. At the moment, the largest Catholic center is the Vatican a city-state located in Rome. Joseph, along with his younger brother Benjamin, were the only children of Rachel, Jacobs favored wife. We may never understand the work He is doing in our heart or recognize what He is preparing us for. Why was Joseph successful in everything he did? WebJoseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness. Since his purpose was to prevent hunger in the known world at the time, God permitted Josephs suffering. He thought back to the dream where God had told him he would become powerful. Dont give up on God. Required fields are marked *. The angel known as the Satan (Hebrew for the adversary), as told in the What are the characteristics of Joseph in the Bible? But God was with him (10) and rescued him from all his troubles. 2. Genesis 50 ends the story with Josephs most famous quote. His preparations are described in Genesis 40:47-48. 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! What can we learn from Joseph in the Bible? xref Hello. How did Joseph demonstrate his faith in Matthew? 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). 1 LOVED AND HATED. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC, is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. They sent a message to Joseph saying that Jacob wanted him to forgive his brothers. Egyptians intentionally mummified their dead early in their When Joseph arrived, they were not there. WebWhen I say physically from sickness, from disease, from lack and want it means, it is the will of God for us to prosper in all areas of our lives. It would have been a disaster. 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. As far as the narrative is concerned, Joseph was neither arrogant nor naive in telling the dreams to his brothers; he was right. He had great dreams that made him feel good about himself. Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. His brothers would love this if they knew. 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. Origin. 0000036829 00000 n And God had promised Grandmother Rebekah that her older twin, Uncle Esau, would serve the younger twin, Father Jacob. He smiled at the irony of this "favor." The sad part of this episode in Josephs life is that Potiphars wife slandered him and accused him of We ended last week with a high point in the lives of the sons of Israel and Moses. challenges He put them through painful tests, but those plans and schemes had a goal. but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. Remember, he demonstrated a good dose of pride at the beginning of the story. He rehearsed the stories of God that had filled him with awe as a child. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? Joseph told Pharaoh the dream meant Egypt would have seven years of bounty, followed by seven years of drought and famine. Meaning. Because of this, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing his nation for the years of want. 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. Wow! Joseph wanted to scream. The cupbearer will soon be released and promises to try and help Joseph get out of prison. He was a compassionate man. Josephs brothers were not thoughtful in how they kept the animals, carelessly moving from one region to another, without informing their father. Despite all these trials, he kept his faith. I have no idea what my being in an Egyptian prison has to do with your purposes. He was indiscriminate. Nobody mandates that you must continue to be friendly with someone you have forgiven. WebGod also had a purpose in Josephs sufferings for Josephs brothers and family. Our current circumstances, however dismal or successful, are not our story's end. The last year has been pretty tough for a lot of different reasons, and Im ready to move out of this season. 0000002381 00000 n Joseph and Potiphars Wife (Genesis 39) | Imitate Their Faith I am yours. Joseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Doing what is right in Gods eyes, rather than mans ways, is always the right thing, even if there are negative ramifications. The dryness of the arid climate preserved bodies buried in shallow sandy pits, as in the image below. I have gone through an extremely horrific work situation in the last three years. 0000021595 00000 n While in jail, Joseph performed this act for servants in Pharaohs home, one of whom was pardoned and returned to serve the Egyptian leader. He obeyed his father, seeking out his brothers miles away, in order to honor his father. A shiver ran down his spine. When the seven years of drought arrived, Joseph opened the storehouses and provided enough food to bring the nation through the famine. They were afraid to approach him, but he said, Come near to me please (Genesis 45:4b). 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! 0000022496 00000 n Either way, I think Joseph is still an excellent Biblical hero. Joseph was scarcely more than a boy 17 or 18 years old yet he faced challenges that would daunt many grown men. Every story contains instructive lessons about behavior, righteousness, and what it means to live by Gods Word, whether you are seeking a lesson for a kid, a young adult, or someone who is well past middle age. Glad you found encouragement from the article and thanks again for your feedback! They decided to dump him into a hole and leave him there to perish. One day when they were tending their flocks away from home, Jacob sent Joseph to see if all was well with them. I also 100% agree on this telling his brothers about the dream did not justify their actions at all. This was a genuinely great read. Yes, God does put him in different positions to help him learn leadership. 0000001899 00000 n Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This was the main purpose that God had for Josephs life. I can wait. Humble- the power and prestige of his position working for Pharaoh never changed him. 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. When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. We can say with confidence that this is what God wanted for Joseph. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. He did the right thing, even when he could not see the purpose or the light at the end of the tunnel. 0000010258 00000 n ! Was Father still alive? All these problems disappear when we start with the reliable history and chronology of the Bible. Face 8. Joseph: The Man with a Divine Purpose | Bible.org God used all of it for good, to save countless lives. But he made them wait an agonizing 25 years before giving them Grandfather Isaac. Peter: Leaders recover from failure. Jacob knew that his sons did not like Joseph but had no idea just how much they detested him. In other words, Joseph landed in a pretty important house. Knowing this made the other brothers hate Joseph. 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. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. 0000021994 00000 n Joseph Web5.5K views, 279 likes, 250 loves, 655 comments, 255 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Joseph Z: A TERRIFYING END FOR THE WICKEDAnd YOUR GLORIOUS FUTURE! His life became a powerful example of how a godly person can overcome adversities. He bragged to his brothers and parents about his prophetic dreams of power. Joseph has an unnerving lack of foresight, with most of his plans being conceived moments before theyre implemented. This challenge focuses on; identity, favour, integrity, jealousy and forgiveness. "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord" (Psalm 31:24)! This coat angers his brothers, and they sell him into slavery. 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. 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. Surely God wouldnt push us to struggle for longer than that, right? Learn about good storytelling and the over-arching narrative in the Bible with this free course. Joseph had a lot of things going his way in life at first. The warden paid no attention to anything under Josephs care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. He covered his mouth to choke back his sobs. WebGod was with Joseph every step of the way. Mindfulness to Gods presence and activity in our lives is marker of Gods people. He felt something crawl across his leg. Bethany Verrett is a free-lance writer and editor. He brought his whole family to be closer to him, and was finally reunited with his father once again. The Egyptians believed that everybody had prophetic dreams. We do know for sure that he was not perfect he was a sinner like me and you and everyone else. And this is where Josephs brothers finally return to the story. But through it all, Joseph maintained a patient and steady reliance on the Lord. He had great success because of his faith. His status changed in an instant from favored son in Canaan to anonymous slave in the house of an Egyptian. Yet even in jail, the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison (Genesis 39:21). What does the Bible tell us about Joseph? - About the Catholic Faith Honest, good-hearted people who hear Gods word, cling to it (Luke 8:15, NLT). He continued working with integrity, but he had to wait for Gods timing to receive freedom. At the age of 17, Josephs issues intensified. Bible Jacob gave him a coat with long sleeves because of a mistranslation in the King James Version of the Bible: coat with long sleeves was translated incorrectly as coat of many colors. Long-sleeved or many-colored, the significance was the same. Genesis 30:2224. His wise strategy and effective implementation of the plan
Iridium Magical Properties, Prayer To Saint Marina Of Antioch, Thompson Submachine Gun Clones, Articles W