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. Patience and perseverance in the time of troubles. 5 Lessons for Hard Times from the Life of Joseph - The WebJoseph had a choice - he could either stay and attempt to justify himself that after all, it was her doings and he had no choice, or, flee. Joseph refused to stand in judgment of them and assured them that they were forgiven. Though eventually Joseph rose to power, wealth, and prominence, he experienced many dark days. He was the first son born to Jacob through Rachel, and therefore, he was his fathers favorite son. Joseph was thereafter sold into slavery in Egypt. 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. It can seem like living up to the life of Joseph is impossible, but God calls us all to different destinations. 0000002224 00000 n When the seven years of drought arrived, Joseph opened the storehouses and provided enough food to bring the nation through the famine. He felt ambivalent about them. 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. 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. Potiphar was an officer for the Pharaoh, the captain of his guard. His life was not fair and he was punished for sins he did not commit. He bragged to his brothers and parents about his prophetic dreams of power. Joseph teaches us the value of self control in the temptation of the youth. Again, thanks for sharing. Potiphars wife becomes attracted to Joseph and attempts to sleep with him multiple times. 0000000959 00000 n Not only do they survive the famine, but theyre able to provide for non-Egyptians who need help. The sad part of this episode in Josephs life is that Potiphars wife slandered him and accused him of Every single instance was an emotional fight. This is the lesson I keep learning over and over again. As a slave he tried to live his life well and he found favour with his master. Most people know that Joseph was well-loved by his father Jacob, as evidenced by the gift of the many colored-coat. How simple is it for us to compromise and simply succumb to temptation? 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). Despite being a man who consistently honored God, Joseph spent 16 years as a slave and then as a prisoner in Egypt. Second, 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. First, God is with us no matter our life situation. Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC, is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. But never once does it say anything about Joseph having to lose pride before he could be a proper leader. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Imagine the imprint this made on this young man! Obstacles In The Life Of Moses And Joshua WebJoseph Rejected Bitterness and Chose to Forgive. It took Joseph 13 chapters (Gen. 37-50) and approximately 24 years (best guess from Bible scholars) to come to this place of When trials and troubles come into your life, you may feel like you are getting beaten with rods and ground into powder, but as Isaiah 28 says, grain must be ground to make bread. He has a plan, well and wisely ordered. His brothers' envy of his father's favor turned homicidal when he inferred that he had God's favor as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Recommended: Most Fun Jobs In The World 2022. Through a number of tests, he got them to confess their past guilt and misdeeds or wrongdoing. God used time to create space for forgiveness among the sons of Jacob and also to open their father Jacobs own heart. OUR PART: I will do what I can to not fret and to find strength in the Lord, to move forward and not give up. I would argue that the Bible does show it, but that can certainly be challenged. The warden paid no attention to anything under Josephs care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. God had delivered them. And while I am far from perfect, I dont believe that God allowed what happened because of pride. Joseph did know his brothers at first sight, and wept several times in private. Act 7:9-10 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. 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. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. His brothers would love this if they knew. Joseph can be trusted to the point that Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care. As far as the narrative is concerned, Joseph was neither arrogant nor naive in telling the dreams to his brothers; he was right. The story of Joseph also reminds me that, even if the trials arent over, we will be ok. Because here is the good news: Just as God was with Joseph during his time as a slave and a prisoner, God will be with you during your hard times. Yet God was faithful to his word and eventually delivered Jacob and brought him back to the Promised Land a wealthy man. Relying on the Lord for council and wisdom will always be the best place to start preparing for the future. ButtheLord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. The book of Genesis has quite a few stories about important people, but no one gets more time than Joseph. When was the Bible put together as one book? Josephs brothers were not thoughtful in how they kept the animals, carelessly moving from one region to another, without informing their father. Nonetheless, forgiveness is a virtue. 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. He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. %%EOF The last year has been pretty tough for a lot of different reasons, and Im ready to move out of this season. It teaches leadership as well as spirituality. His life became a powerful example of how a godly person can overcome adversities. 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. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. He was a compassionate man. Despite being betrayed by his brothers and ending up a slave in a foreign country, things seem to finally be turning positive for Joseph. Egyptians intentionally mummified their dead early in their The Story of Joseph in the Bible - From Prisoner to Prince And he remembered. Once weve learned our lesson, we can move on to a season of blessing and easy living! Now lets take a look at how Josephs patience enabled him to be a better leader. There are no short cuts strong leaders take time to grow. He endured great hardship. But that did not stop him from doing his duties. "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord" (Psalm 31:24)! And while it is remarkably frustrating to not get the answers, God still deserves our trust. God will add, taken away or praise, fame taken away. "Like my forefathers, I will wait for you. Thanks for the comment and Im praying for you now! 8. Joseph: The Man with a Divine Purpose | Bible.org Being a slave leader still means youre a slave, so it isnt the really the best position. He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. Instead, God put him in positions of leadership where he could grow in both humility and as a leader. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). And so Joseph continues to wait in prison. He could have just had fun for a few years. God tested Jobs faith and refined his character. Humility is often a painful lesson to learn, but it is a requirement for any good servant leader. There are two great themes in Josephs life which summarizes all five points well. But God does not want us to miss the largely silent, desperate years Joseph endured. Remembering these two themes, and learning from the Biblical example of Joseph, can bring believers closer to their Lord. He was insensitivehe didnt consider the impact of his actions on family members. Joseph and His Brothers: The Stories of Jacob, Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt, Joseph the Provider. When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. 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. Gender: Joseph is most often used as a boy name. 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. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, theLordblessed the Egyptians housefor Josephs sake; the blessing of theLordwas on all that he had, in house and field. She was aggressive, with the Bible asserting in Genesis 39:10, she spoke to Joseph day after day.. As a person who loves to solve problems, this principle really drives me nuts sometimes. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. Moral Lessons From The Story Of Joseph: The Bible contains several well-known stories, including Josephs tale. 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. He sent His son to die for us because His love for us is so extravagant. Thus, his personality has become more refined and wise. What are two principles of leadership you can take from the story of Joseph and apply to effective leadership? And we should, because Joseph's life is a foreshadowing of a heavenly reality. Then Joseph has a dream where his brothers bow down to him. Joseph understood the lesson fleshed out in his own fathers experienceGod is real! But instead, he patiently continued to do good work. Josephs father had been touched the Lord Himself, and was changed for the remainder of his life. As a group they sell Joseph into slavery, but as individuals they deal with the following years and how they can make amends. 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. Josephs godliness did not rescue him from false accusation and imprisonment. What is the theme of the story of Joseph? All these problems disappear when we start with the reliable history and chronology of the Bible. The pharaoh calls for Joseph, who once again interprets the dream with wisdom. If you want to show the kind of patience Joseph did during difficult times, then stay as close to God as possible. Jacob trusted God's word. Clearly I can do better than whoever is in charge now, right? Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. Benjamin was born just as Josephs mother passed away. The story of Mary and Joseph is an incredible display of faith, trust, and what God can do through normal people. This challenge focuses on; identity, favour, integrity, jealousy and forgiveness. Image: Alinari/Art Resource, NY. Im only 21 years old and I dont want to waste my life by prolonging what God is doing behind the scenes. He doesnt respond with bitterness, but continues to work with integrity. Joseph as a Slave and Prisoner All of them ultimately saw God's faithfulness to his promises, despite circumstances and their own failings. 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. 1. 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!! Glad you found encouragement from the article and thanks again for your feedback! And that leader would Perhaps this noble quality made him Gods choice for the Messiahs earthly father. Not discovered. Kendall, R.T. God Meant It For Good. But the truth is, He may not. But through it all, Joseph maintained a patient and steady reliance on the Lord. Trusting the Lord was with him, Joseph stewarded the gifts, opportunities, and assets God gave him with excellence and faithfulness. He was the first son born to Jacob through Rachel, and therefore, he was his fathers favorite 0000037802 00000 n His siblings misled their father into thinking that Joseph had been attacked and eaten by a wild animal. These spoke of God as three personsFather, Son, and Holy Spiritexisting together in a single being. The Story of Joseph in the Bible: 5 Strategies for Joseph was actually a spoiled brat, ( Genesis 37:3 ). Examples of Servant Leadership, Workplace. 0000021595 00000 n Web14 Joseph was cautious. 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. He was insensitivehe didnt consider the impact of his actions on family members. Joseph obeyed God and was thrown in jail for it. 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. Sometimes faithfulness to God and his word sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. How did Perfecto get his name under the feet of Jesus? and Joseph Go to Bethlehem You and I are not likely to have gone through what Joseph did at this time. They did not recognize the second-in-command of the most powerful nation in the world at that time as the younger brother they had sold into slavery decades earlier. How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers? He was the favored son of his fathers favorite wife, Rachel. Why was Joseph important in the Bible? - Catholicism from A to Z Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. He worked to build the infrastructure to store the food. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. These things, in actuality, cannot prevent Gods plans; they can only postpone them. Recommended: Lessons From The Story Of Samson And Delilah. There are no steps. challenges Hello. Despite this, he trusted that God would fulfill his promise in due time. Joseph is finally freed from prison at age thirty, or thirteen years after being sold as a slave. 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. Recommended: Best books every man should read. Bible Study Guides - Gods Plan Purpose in the Sufferings of Joseph | Beacon Lights In time, his unique qualities expressed themselves in an additional area: when Our lives have become so much more convenient thanks to technology that we now feel entitled to the pleasant things in life. How did Joseph applied his talent as a leader? The first comes from a declaration made by Joseph to his brothers, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20a). You just surrender. Dont give up on God. Its the perfect example of how many of us think yes! In the same way, I know that God also wants the best for me. Joseph He constantly got thrown under the bus, and then responded by continuing to work with integrity for those around him. WebHow did the Holy Family deal with the challenges posed by the evils of the world? Joseph Protected His Family Rebekah trusted God's word. His brothers enjoyed a nice payday, meanwhile Joseph became a slave in the house of a man named Potiphar. Key-verse for Life of Joseph: The Lord was with Joseph. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? They likely were the reason he was now in Egypt. God will take care of those who love and obey him, just like he did with Joseph. It made him grateful for his private cell, the favor bestowed on the chief scribe to the warden. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? And then you sit tight.. Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier. Acknowledging our guilt; resting in His grace. Learn about good storytelling and the over-arching narrative in the Bible with this free course. But God had mysteriously woven human deception and immorality into his plan to make that happen. He constantly got thrown under the bus, and then responded by continuing to work with integrity for those around him. Ive been struggling with having patience and often this has manifested in anger toward God. Consequently, Josephs brothers plotted to kill him but instead they sold him to some Ishmaelites that were passing through to Egypt. Thank you for this article. and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. What can we learn from Joseph in the Bible? I think in this season of life you need to wait on the Lord. Yes! Despite our best efforts to explain the benefits of the medicine, he did not want it. And then God moved. To all teenage men and women GOD sayslove not the world neither the thgs that r in the world . Because of this, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing his nation for the years of want. Honesty, strong work ethics, even when they are not always rewarded. Most American Christians believed in the doctrine of the Trinity as expressed in traditional confessions and creeds. WebGenesis 37. Bible 0000022496 00000 n Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in So it was not you who sent me here, but God (Genesis 45:5&7-8a). And yet, we are never promised this. Jacobs favorite son was Joseph, as most people are aware. Simply stated, the 8th commandment teaches us that obtaining gain by ungodly means is evil. Which council established the canon of the Bible? Catholicism is the largest and most influential Christian church. The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt That may seem like a long summary, but Josephs story isnt short. This sentiment is also true of Potiphars wife, and for times in the life of the modern believer. We ended last week with a high point in the lives of the sons of Israel and Moses. Character Formation. Joseph was rejected, betrayed and abandoned by his own family. Darkness had swallowed the light again. Patience is hard, but its great to hear that you can see God at work over time! Joseph was the firstborn child of Rachel, who was Jacobs genuine love and one of his four wives. Pharaoh assigned Joseph the task of preparing his country for the years of famine as a result. His wise strategy and effective implementation of the plan WebJoseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness. Even when the Cupbearer promised to help Joseph escape, he completely forgot. Joseph Most Inspiring Leadership Lessons from Bible Characters Joseph: Father of Jesus on Earth - Learn Religions Use me!". ATTENTION TO RIGHT HOLDERS! How often do we spend money on something we dont need because we have a little extra cash (but not enough)? A cupbearer and a baker who work for Pharaoh also find themselves in prison. Many of the great heroes of faith were young when God began working powerfully with them: David was likely in his teen He covered his mouth to choke back his sobs. Instead of keeping this to himself, Joseph lets everyone know. It can be hard for any leader to truly be patient. The common thread Joseph traced through all the stories, the one thing God seemed to honor and bless more than anything else, was faith. It may have taken decades, but he was able to see why God put him through so many trials and tribulations. If we study their lives in Sacred Scripture, Jesus, Mary and Joseph offer us three important steps. But then one day his entire life changed. Theyre starving, and their father Jacob sends them to Egypt to buy grain. Bring your word to pass as it seems best to you. One principle that we can identify from Genesis 39:1112 is that if we remove ourselves from tempting situations, then we will have greater ability to resist temptation. 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! But then the cupbearer simply forgets. 0 What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection? Joseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness - Bible If you want to be a leader like Joseph, then it starts with one thing: stay close to God. We shall examine some applicable moral lessons from the story of Joseph in this post. 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). <<4FEF7C0E5C6E534BA660621B585E64F3>]>> And then there were those strange dreams. There is coming a day when those who are faithful, even to death (Revelation 2:10) will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Joseph did everything right, and still spent thirteen years as a slave or prisoner. Genesis 39:1-12 - Lessons from Joseph in Potiphar's House - Bible Joseph - Overcoming Lifes Challenges - Webflow Leadership is developed. The prosperity gospel is an increasingly popular belief that those who love God, think positive, and work hard will receive material wealth and success. 0000014099 00000 n Despite being a man who consistently honored God, Joseph spent 16 years as a slave and then as a prisoner in Egypt. Joseph exemplified authentic leadership in practice and through years of life-changing hardship. Man is not to make plans according to his finite judgment. I am studying it even more now. Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Later, Pharaoh had a confusing dream, and his servant told him to summon Joseph. Joseph had a lot of things going his way in life at first.
