Joseph

Joseph’s life takes up a quarter of the book of Genesis. Genesis 37:3-4 …Israel loved Joseph more than all his children… and he made him a coat of many colours.

His brothers hated him and conspired to kill him. Genesis 37:20 …let us slay him, and cast him into some pit… But they ended up deciding to sell him as a slave…

Even whilst a slave to Potiphar… Joseph maintained his integrity. Genesis 39:2, Joseph served in the house to Potiphar. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man…

God counts real prosperity as something deep and abiding, that abundance of faith. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Joseph faithfully served - without grumbling. He did it heartily, as unto the Lord.

Purity marked Joseph’s life. He spurned the advances of Potiphar's wife. Joseph said no. Genesis 39:12 …she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Joseph said, I'm not going to - I'm going to do that which is right.

Here he was, a man of integrity. He had resisted temptation. And now he was falsely accused and cast into prison. He was three years there - for something he never did.

Genesis 39:21 it says, even there, in prison, the prison keeper recognised his ability… Joseph showed the power of courage, faithfulness, and leadership. He did not give way to despair. God was with him. God gave him a favour with others. He had the power of character - of influence.

Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

By God’s power Joseph interpreted the dreams of two of his fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1-23). Later on, Pharaoh had a dream and he wanted the meaning of it.

Joseph revealed the meaning. Genesis 41:38-40 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? (39) And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: (40) Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Pharaoh recognised Joseph. He appointed him as prime minister of the land. (41) And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. (42) And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck…

God used Joseph in a powerful way. Joseph had urged the Pharaoh to store the grain from the years of plenty so that they could be ready for the years of famine. Pharaoh then appointed Joseph to take care of that.

God's providence was evident through God's leading of Joseph. Even in his great adversities God was working out His perfect plan in Joseph's life. God had placed Joseph in the place of power, as "prime minister" of Egypt, and given him the wisdom to store the grain. God provided through Joseph, to save His chosen people.

Next up, Joseph’s brethren came. They had come to Egypt - the only place they could get food. He revealed himself to his brethren. Genesis 45:4-8 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Do we stop and think of God’s providence – God’s goodness and faithfulness? And show forgiveness… Joseph showed grace. Joseph recognised that even when his brothers had treated him so dastardly, and really hurt him so badly, that in all of that God was working. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

What matters in not so much the events or circumstances of life, but your response to them. With God's help, any situation can be used for good, even when others intend it for evil.

God was working - because God meant it for good. God will bring good out of evil. What matters is not so much those difficult things of life, but our response to them. Joseph’s response wasn't to get all bitter and twisted and nasty and hard, but he was used by God to bless others.

He responded with grace to his brothers, to those situations. And, wherever he was, whether it was in the prison, whether it was in Potiphar’s service… He was wise and godly. He was an example.

1 Timothy 4:12 …be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Let's follow Joseph's righteous example of godly faith and life.

We can know true Prosperity, Purity, Power, and Providence.