The Life of a Godly Man—Joseph
Joseph arrives on the scene in Genesis chapter 37, at the age of seventeen. Joseph was a son of Jacob and was loved more by his father than any of his other brothers. Jacob expressed his love for Joseph by making him a special varicolored tunic. Joseph’s brothers on the other hand hated him and would not speak to him on friendly terms. This hatred for Joseph grew more intense when he told them of his dreams and led the brothers to desire to kill Joseph. After some time, the brothers decided to fake Joseph’s death and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh. In Genesis chapter 39, the Bible tells us that the Lord was with Joseph, and his master not only recognized this, but also how the Lord caused everything he did to prosper. Joseph’s success looked like it was going to come to an end when he resisted the temptation of Potiphar’s wife, telling her that he could not “do this great evil and sin against God.” Although, Joseph did what was right in God’s eyes, he still was sent to jail. While in jail, Joseph’s success was revived because the Lord was with him causing all he did to prosper. Later during Joseph’s imprisonment, he correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and chief baker. This correct dream interpretation would lead to his release from jail to correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams of both years of prosperity and famine. Pharaoh recognized that God was with Joseph, and there was no one as wise and discerning as
him. Because of this, Pharaoh made Joseph the Ruler of all Egypt. Joseph was very successful in leading Egypt. Joseph led Egypt to stock pile food during the years of prosperity, so that during the years of famine, they would not be in any need. This strategy worked very well despite the severity of the famine. The famine eventually led Jacob to send his sons on a couple of trips to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph recognized his brothers and finally revealed himself to them. Joseph wept loudly in their presence and told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves for selling him to Egypt. He told them that “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.” Joseph sent the brothers back home only to return with Jacob, all of their families, and all of their possessions. After all of the family came to Egypt and settled down, Jacob blessed his family and then he died. Upon the death of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers became worried that Joseph might seek vengeance against them. Joseph responded by telling them “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 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.” What amazes me the most about Joseph is his godly prospective on the different circumstances in his life. When Potiphar’s wife sought after him, he recognized that it would be a “great evil and sin against God.” We need this godly prospective of sin. We need to understand that every lie, sinful thought, and disobedient action is against the holy and righteous God. When many of us would have been affected differently by being put in jail, Joseph worked hard understanding he was serving the Lord. He had such a good work ethic that the chief jailer put all of the prisoners in his charge and did not supervise anything in his control. Lastly, Joseph had a godly perspective on life when dealing with his brothers. Joseph’s response to his brothers showed that he truly understood the sovereignty of God. Joseph recognized that God is ultimately in control and can even use the evil intentions of people to bring about His purposes. This month, we need to commit ourselves to living a godly life regardless of the circumstances we face.
Joseph arrives on the scene in Genesis chapter 37, at the age of seventeen. Joseph was a son of Jacob and was loved more by his father than any of his other brothers. Jacob expressed his love for Joseph by making him a special varicolored tunic. Joseph’s brothers on the other hand hated him and would not speak to him on friendly terms. This hatred for Joseph grew more intense when he told them of his dreams and led the brothers to desire to kill Joseph. After some time, the brothers decided to fake Joseph’s death and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh. In Genesis chapter 39, the Bible tells us that the Lord was with Joseph, and his master not only recognized this, but also how the Lord caused everything he did to prosper. Joseph’s success looked like it was going to come to an end when he resisted the temptation of Potiphar’s wife, telling her that he could not “do this great evil and sin against God.” Although, Joseph did what was right in God’s eyes, he still was sent to jail. While in jail, Joseph’s success was revived because the Lord was with him causing all he did to prosper. Later during Joseph’s imprisonment, he correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and chief baker. This correct dream interpretation would lead to his release from jail to correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams of both years of prosperity and famine. Pharaoh recognized that God was with Joseph, and there was no one as wise and discerning as
him. Because of this, Pharaoh made Joseph the Ruler of all Egypt. Joseph was very successful in leading Egypt. Joseph led Egypt to stock pile food during the years of prosperity, so that during the years of famine, they would not be in any need. This strategy worked very well despite the severity of the famine. The famine eventually led Jacob to send his sons on a couple of trips to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph recognized his brothers and finally revealed himself to them. Joseph wept loudly in their presence and told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves for selling him to Egypt. He told them that “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.” Joseph sent the brothers back home only to return with Jacob, all of their families, and all of their possessions. After all of the family came to Egypt and settled down, Jacob blessed his family and then he died. Upon the death of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers became worried that Joseph might seek vengeance against them. Joseph responded by telling them “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 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.” What amazes me the most about Joseph is his godly prospective on the different circumstances in his life. When Potiphar’s wife sought after him, he recognized that it would be a “great evil and sin against God.” We need this godly prospective of sin. We need to understand that every lie, sinful thought, and disobedient action is against the holy and righteous God. When many of us would have been affected differently by being put in jail, Joseph worked hard understanding he was serving the Lord. He had such a good work ethic that the chief jailer put all of the prisoners in his charge and did not supervise anything in his control. Lastly, Joseph had a godly perspective on life when dealing with his brothers. Joseph’s response to his brothers showed that he truly understood the sovereignty of God. Joseph recognized that God is ultimately in control and can even use the evil intentions of people to bring about His purposes. This month, we need to commit ourselves to living a godly life regardless of the circumstances we face.
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