*Joseph’s story is told in Genesis 30-50
Who is Joseph?
- Background: Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, was born into a family that would eventually form the 12 tribes of Israel. Known for his multicolored coat gifted by his father, Joseph had 11 brothers and 1 sister.
- Dreamer: Joseph was not just another son; he was a dreamer. He had visions that one day, he would be a person of significant influence (Genesis 37:5-11).
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Interpretation of Dreams: Joseph had a divine ability to interpret dreams, which eventually led to his rise in Egypt. He interpreted both the dreams of his fellow prisoners (Genesis 40) and the troubling dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14-36).
- Rise to Power: Despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph eventually rose to become the second highest in command in Egypt, only after Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:39-43).
- Saving Egypt and His Family: By correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dream and advising on the storage of grain, Joseph saved Egypt from a severe seven-year famine and also managed to save his family from the same fate (Genesis 41:46-57, 42:1-3).
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Lack of Tact: Early in life, Joseph lacked tact and wisdom. He unwisely shared his dreams of ruling over his family, which caused his brothers to despise him and plot against him (Genesis 37:5-11).
- Pride: The special treatment Joseph received from his father may have bred a certain level of pride in him, which further infuriated his brothers.
Lessons from His Life
- Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Throughout his life, Joseph demonstrated unyielding faith in God, even during trials. His story teaches us that even in our darkest hours, God is with us and works all things for our good (Genesis 50:20).
- Forgiveness: Despite the immense wrong done to him by his brothers, Joseph chose to forgive, teaching us the power and freedom in forgiveness (Genesis 45:4-5).
Key Verses (NIV version)
- Genesis 37:5: “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”
- Genesis 41:39-40: “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.'”
- Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”