He had great dreams that made him feel good about himself. Most Inspiring Leadership Lessons from Bible Characters His brothers would love this if they knew. "I trust you, my God he whispered." Joseph could have used his power to bring vengeance. Who needs leadership experience when youre smart or have an MBA? His life was not fair and he was punished for sins he did not commit. The twelve sons of Jacob were the offspring of four mothers. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. challenges What does the Bible say about Josephs character? Lessons From the Life He has revealed this plan to us in His Word, and He expects us to take it as our guide in all things, great and small. 0000001694 00000 n Bible Study Guides - Gods Plan He obeyed his father, seeking out his brothers miles away, in order to honor his father. Relate the history concerning Jacob and Rachels first son. Kendall, R.T. God Meant It For Good. 11. While in jail, Joseph performed this act for servants in Pharaohs home, one of whom was pardoned and returned to serve the Egyptian leader. Here is how Joseph responds: But Joseph said to them, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? WebAnswer (1 of 16): Israel was a stubborn and rebellious people and there are a lot of examples of that but for time sake I would like to add this thought to the others: EXO 18:13 The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. Relying On Gods Direction Will Help You get Ready For The Future: God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation throughout his life. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Josephs charge, becausetheLordwas with him. There are humans with very sinful hearts that do things to people who are trying to do whats right. Divine guidance led Joseph to take his family up north, away from Jerusalem and all its intrigues, back to his hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. He shook out the mat. Fear of God and Faithfulness to God. 0000010258 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n Joseph was not special because he was prophetic but because he knew how to interpret the dreams. Joseph There was nothing Joseph could do to get himself out of slavery or prison. Especially considering that he told everyone about a second dream where his whole family bows to him. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. Web#1 Joseph wanted to do what was right but with a spirit of compassion. Surely God wouldnt push us to struggle for longer than that, right? 0000000959 00000 n 5. We could learn a lesson about the mysteries of how the world works. Notice that there is no mention of time in verses 1-6. Beitzel, Barry J. Biblica The Bible Atlas: A Social and Historical Journey through the Lands of the Bible. What is the theme of the story of Joseph? But even before that, when Joseph was a slave in charge of Potiphars house or a leader in the prison, he maintained a steady patience while doing a great job. Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. But that did not stop him from doing his duties. We can also say with confidence that God was patient with the journey. They likely were the reason he was now in Egypt. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? The other important theme and lesson is that The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2a), and of course He is with all His children, even today. It may have taken decades, but he was able to see why God put him through so many trials and tribulations. The prosperity gospel is an increasingly popular belief that those who love God, think positive, and work hard will receive material wealth and success. 3a. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? He did a great job and rose to the top position in each setting, but no one was going to let him out. 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. Perfecto Flores Petras partner, a much older man who, What is the myth behind magpies? Wait is wait. Being a slave leader still means youre a slave, so it isnt the really the best position. Josephs Difficulties and Me? (Gen 39) | Five Loaves and Two Proud member Some prosper materially and financially, but their spiritual life is in darkness. Ill share why the story has encouraged me, and why I think it can benefit any modern person going through a time of feast or famine. He did as the angel of God commanded him. How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers? Joseph, along with his younger brother Benjamin, were the only children of Rachel, Jacobs favored wife. *}L[V--C4j'A@K$j6_.st;49[y46sCePV?_)5yP3o%Bfilnw~_a\zr%CASb#S{Q^GT9-9X|3~:c';"s)ZqPv,+;3#LH)"Kmt0O !}n.$QcrfO%oY)TsIe~G\)/t3&+:A:7hmc2%#Hd y6F x)u_v(?Evnm\-r4FS^QZSEhZ\UwO(E}]Lq=_M2,}V{-$S{Q What God has planned for you will never be affected by the envy of others or their actual attempts to obstruct you. I think in this season of life you need to wait on the Lord. Yes! Victoria: Global Book Publishing, 2006. Im only 21 years old and I dont want to waste my life by prolonging what God is doing behind the scenes. I am the oldest of seven children, and if I had a dream and told it to my family, no one wouldve hated me or sold me into slavery because of it. Later, Pharaoh had a confusing dream, and his servant told him to summon Joseph. Dont give up on God. WebGod was with Joseph every step of the way. But instead, he patiently continued to do good work. How simple is it for us to compromise and simply succumb to temptation? I love this article! There are several options for rapid pleasure available to us in todays environment. In Greece, the female name Josephine is Iosifna and used mainly on the island of Crete. A major reason for this, is the truths I have found in the story of Joseph in the Bible. 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. Perhaps I see pride in him because I see it in myself and Ive seen countless others deal with it. Im always looking to finish something and move on to the next. Required fields are marked *. In regards to Joseph, here are some leadership qualities I admire in him: Joseph first demonstrated his other gifts of organization and management as a young man of seventeen, when he was tending his fathers flocks. In the same way, I know that God also wants the best for me. 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. He felt ambivalent about them. Bible Benjamin was born just as Josephs mother passed away. But Joseph did leave an instructive testimony to Potiphars wife and possibly others in the household. In ancient Rome, the magpie was associated with magic and fortune telling. The Story of Joseph in the Bible - From Prisoner to Prince I need to wait on God. Joseph: Staying Faithful When Things Just Get Worse As Joseph responded to suffering with faith, meekness, and humility, God molded and shaped a leader. Joseph Patience and perseverance in the time of troubles. How did Joseph reveals himself to his brother? When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. What challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? With this in mind, it shouldnt come as a surprise to acquire several lessons and guidelines from Josephs life. Joseph: Father of Jesus on Earth - Learn Religions WebA bible challenge to read the chapters in the book of Genesis concerning the account of Joseph. The warden paid no attention to anything under Josephs care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. In Genesis 45, Joseph was able to lavish forgiveness and mercy and the best of the land of Egypt (verse 18) to the same brothers who had betrayed him. It can seem like living up to the life of Joseph is impossible, but God calls us all to different destinations. It would have been a disaster. Great! Origin. He blesses those who realize their own brokenness and guilt and long for God more than anything else. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. Joseph is a perfect example whatever age he was at the time he refused the advance (s) of Pharaohs wife saying how can I do this ungodly thing before GOD, paraphrasing and fled.m. Because of the famine, Joseph's family in the Valley of Hebron needed food. sin is sin. He smiled at the irony of this "favor." Knowing this made the other brothers hate Joseph. All of them ultimately saw God's faithfulness to his promises, despite circumstances and their own failings. Nobody mandates that you must continue to be friendly with someone you have forgiven. Joseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness, by Dr. Gene Getz, celebrates on the I take great comfort knowing that in my situation, God will help me in my new job, and that he will give me grace and strength to deal with the things of the past. Thanks Laurie for the kind words and thoughtful response! Genesis 39:1-12 - Lessons from Joseph in Potiphar's House - Bible Faith-fueled peace doused the anxious fire in Joseph's chest. Joseph saw value in his life for others and he made himself a chance to stand up for Gods word when he was faced with temptation. All these problems disappear when we start with the reliable history and chronology of the Bible. In the Old Testament, Joseph is a favored son of Jacob and Rachel. It took Joseph 13 chapters (Gen. 37-50) and approximately 24 years (best guess from Bible scholars) to come to this place of Potiphar was an officer for the Pharaoh, the captain of his guard. And so Joseph continues to wait in prison. And as he sought to trust and obey God during that terribly lonely, desolate time, things went from bad to worse. ! This was a genuinely great read. I just couldnt understand why He was doing some of the things He was doing. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). And then God moved. and Joseph Go to Bethlehem A cupbearer and a baker who work for Pharaoh also find themselves in prison. But the truth is, He may not. 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. You and I are not likely to have gone through what Joseph did at this time. But they also appeared genuinely sorry. God had promised Great-grandfather, Abraham, a child by his barren wife. !.However, He started with me in the Book of Proverb. 156 0 obj<>stream Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. He was the first son born to Jacob through Rachel, and therefore, he was his fathers favorite The rivalry between Jacobs two wives and two concubines caused much dissention within the family. He put them through painful tests, but those plans and schemes had a goal. He listened to his fathers instructions, and loved to obey God. Joseph is my Bible hero. What challenges did Joseph face, and what do you learn about him? 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. That being said, he certainly lived life with integrity and God worked through him in incredible ways. He was handsome. Egyptians intentionally mummified their dead early in their He brought his whole family to be closer to him, and was finally reunited with his father once again. %PDF-1.5 % There he and Mary raised their family. Joseph was rejected, betrayed and abandoned by his own family. 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. He once dreamed eleven bundles of grain, each representing one of his brothers, bowed to his bundle. Step 1: Seek Gods Will in All Things. I am yours. Joseph Challenge | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible Simply stated, the 8th commandment teaches us that obtaining gain by ungodly means is evil. The pharaoh calls for Joseph, who once again interprets the dream with wisdom. God used all of it for good, to save countless lives. The story of Joseph reminds me that the trials may not be finished. 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. In this one, the sun, the moon and the stars were bowing down to him. 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. All rights reserved. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. God sent his Son to die and be raised in order to set his children "free indeed" (John 8:36). and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. Day 1: The Grumbling Begins. He could have sent every one of his brothers to death or slavery. Why wait when you can create a to-do list and start taking action? Joseph Web18 On the babys eighth day, Mary and Joseph had him circumcised as the Mosaic Law required, naming him Jesus, as directed. 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. 0000021595 00000 n 0000037023 00000 n Meaning. How can you put others first when you think so highly of yourself? 0000022780 00000 n ! 7. (Gen 39:2, 39:21) Your email address will not be published. Learn about good storytelling and the over-arching narrative in the Bible with this free course. We ended last week with a high point in the lives of the sons of Israel and Moses. Bethany Verrett is a free-lance writer and editor. Josephs second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. Job Challenges God by Suing: God Responds After spending thirteen years as a slave or in prison, Joseph could have delayed responsibilities. There are definitely times to take action and work for change, but there are also times when God simply calls us to wait. But instead, he began leading like a servant right away. 125 0 obj <> endobj There are several denominations in Catholicism: Catholics, Uniates, Armenian Gregorians, Greek Catholics, Roman Catholic Churches, adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as other Protestant communities that are not part of the church. What problems did Saint Joseph face? - Answers Why Did Jacob Loved Joseph The Most? - Bliss Tulle Just as Joseph trusted God, we too can trust God this Christmas season and follow his Either way, God calls us to continue worshipping Him and doing the best work we can to bless others. Patience and grace are important, as Joseph illustrated. Despite all these trials, he kept his faith. Once again, despite being in prison, Joseph continues to honor God with his heart and actions. Enjoyed this post? 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. Actually, the story of Joseph begins before Genesis 37. Mann, Thomas. Image: Alinari/Art Resource, NY. As a slave he tried to live his life well and he found favour with his master. And he remembered. Despite this, he trusted that God would fulfill his promise in due time. Joseph rose to power as second-in-command to Pharaoh. 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. First, he sent wrong signals to Joseph about his position in the family over his older brothers. 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. Thanks for the comment and Im praying for you now! Joseph has an unnerving lack of foresight, with most of his plans being conceived moments before theyre implemented. He sent His son to die for us because His love for us is so extravagant. Obstacles In The Life Of Moses And Joshua Jacobs favorite son was Joseph, as most people are aware. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. Use me!". Salem Media Group. Your email address will not be published. Joseph did know his brothers at first sight, and wept several times in private. How did Perfecto get his name under the feet of Jesus? 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. 5 Lessons for Hard Times from the Life of Joseph - The Because in the end, servant leadership isnt about receiving rewards for ourselves, it is about providing for others and their needs. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. Of the twelve, one child stood out, favored by their father, and blessed by God. To all teenage men and women GOD sayslove not the world neither the thgs that r in the world . We learn that Joseph is his fathers favorite, and his many brothers are already jealous of him. He rehearsed the stories of God that had filled him with awe as a child. They decided to dump him into a hole and leave him there to perish. But through it all, Joseph maintained a patient and steady reliance on the Lord. Fast forward to being a man in his 30sbecause he was tested, his character had become chiseled and polished. One day when they were tending their flocks away from home, Jacob sent Joseph to see if all was well with them. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 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. Red Church | Hope in Darkness - Facebook 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. God used time to create space for forgiveness among the sons of Jacob and also to open their father Jacobs own heart. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. Since his purpose was to prevent hunger in the known world at the time, God permitted Josephs suffering. As far as the narrative is concerned, Joseph was neither arrogant nor naive in telling the dreams to his brothers; he was right. Just as with Mary and Joseph, troubles and trials in life are tools in the hand of God to mold us and shape us and make us into something beyond our imagination. 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. We appear to be able to instantaneously obtain our desired outcomes with simply the click of a button. %%EOF 0000001557 00000 n There are no steps. Joseph and His Brothers: The Stories of Jacob, Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt, Joseph the Provider. WebJosephs own brothers sold him into slavery. Rebekah trusted God's word. 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. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. The Importance of Avoiding Tempting Situations. And while many Western christians today would say they dont believe the prosperity gospel, few of us would stomach the idea of suffering for thirteen years. Joseph told Pharaoh the dream meant Egypt would have seven years of bounty, followed by seven years of drought and famine. The real skill was in interpreting those dreams, and that was Josephs skill. 0 Bible Theyre starving, and their father Jacob sends them to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph will lead the way on preparing for the 7 years of famine, and he does an amazing job. Joseph received a fabulously colored coat and rose to become the second most powerful man in the Egyptian empire. Joseph is now forty years old and practically a king, and its been twenty-three years since they sent him away as a slave. Of all his twelve sons, Jacob favored Joseph because he was the son of his old age (Gen. 37:3). Pharaoh assigned Joseph the task of preparing his country for the years of famine as a result. Trusting the Lord was with him, Joseph stewarded the gifts, opportunities, and assets God gave him with excellence and faithfulness. Examine Josephs rise from being purchased as a slave to working as Potiphars overseer (39:1-6). Thats it! What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. WebMoses and Joshua both prophets of God faced many obstacles in their lives. He is more discretionary and cautious in what he reveals; craftily practicing restraint with his brothers to get into their persona. 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. 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. The medicine was like a snake to him, and he fought it as hard as he could. Instead of keeping this to himself, Joseph lets everyone know. Leaping up, he brushed himself off. 0000022496 00000 n Genesis 3750 contains the biography of 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. WebNature of God and Humankind. One must be willing to accept the When the seven years of good harvests came, Joseph developed a stockpiling system to store the grain for use during the coming drought. I have much for which to be thankful! Joseph wept, and the brothers fell before him offering to be his slaves. Joseph The famine will consume the land,and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)"},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, The Story of Joseph in the Bible: 5 Strategies for enduring the hard times (and the good), 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. What challenges did It honored God and gave Joseph freedom from bitterness. No one can interpret the dream for him, and the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph. Dutripons Latin Bible concordance (Paris 1838) identified 16 people named Joseph in the Bible, 9 of whom featured in the New Testament: Joseph I. Joseph (Genesis). This is a very real issue today. Second, Every single instance was an emotional fight. The angel known as the Satan (Hebrew for the adversary), as told in the 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. Lessons From The Story Of Samson And Delilah, Best K-Pop Groups In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12 Most Popular, African Countries With the Most Beautiful Women (With Pictures): Top 13, 10 Important Skills That Will Be Relevant in The Future, Past Leaders Of Nigeria From 1914 Till Date (With Pictures), Oldest Cities In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12, Most Powerful People In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 10, Best Trained Armies/Soldiers In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12. Later, after Pharaoh had a puzzling dream, his servant instructed him to call for Joseph. What challenges did Joseph face, and what do you learn about him? In another dream, which Joseph faithfully recounted, the sun (representing his father), moon (his mother) and eleven stars (no guesses here), all bowed to him. Josephine is a female given name. His name was Joseph, and his story is one of the most popular in the Bible. $ 12.99 $ 10.00. Perhaps this noble quality made him Gods choice for the Messiahs earthly father. 0000037760 00000 n Leadership is developed. Why was Joseph successful in everything he did? He was given the responsibility to manage Potiphar household. While most people will not be the leaders of great countries or mighty empires, Joseph walked with the Lord, and his character - the virtues he lived by - are attainable for the believer who walks with the Lord.