Joseph

JOSEPH

Scripture references:
Genesis 37–50; Acts 7:9–18;
Hebrews 11:22

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JOSEPH’S ROLE IN SCRIPTURE

Joseph played a vital role in the preservation of the Hebrew people. His little family lived in Canaan, the land bridge and buffer between the great powers of the north and Egypt in the south, and Canaan frequently became a battleground. There was no way the Israelites could have built the population needed to inhabit the Promised Land had God’s people remained in Canaan. But resettled by Joseph in one of the richest of Egypt’s agricultural areas, the Hebrew people multiplied greatly. Despite being later enslaved by the Egyptians, the sojourn in Egypt was an essential part of God’s plan for fulfilling his promise to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation” (Gen. 12:2).

Joseph is also one of the most attractive of Old Testament characters. He maintained a steadfast trust in God, and despite suffering unjustly, he consistently made choices that honored the Lord. Some have suggested that Joseph is the single most Christlike figure in the Old Testament, a man whose life mirrors that of our Lord in significant ways.

JOSEPH’S LIFE AND TIMES

Joseph’s early years (Gen. 37).Joseph was the son of Jacob and of Rachel, Jacob’s best-loved wife. Unfortunately, his father showed him such obvious favoritism that Joseph’s brothers resented him deeply. Joseph seems to have been naively unaware of their jealousy. When Joseph related two dreams that suggested that one day his parents and his brothers would bow down to him, he only deepened their animosity. While Joseph was still a teenager, his brothers sold him to merchants traveling to Egypt.

Joseph’s suffering in Egypt (Gen. 39–40).In Egypt, Joseph was sold to a high official named Potiphar. Joseph soon became Potiphar’s most trusted agent and was put in charge of his estate. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of attempting to rape her, Potiphar imprisoned Joseph. In prison, Joseph’s organizational gifts and trustworthiness again led to advancement. Soon he became the warden’s agent, and ran the prison. This prison housed the king’s prison, and when two high officials of the royal court were housed there, Joseph correctly interpreted their dreams. As Joseph had predicted, one official was hanged, while the other was restored to his office. Two years later when Pharaoh had disquieting dreams no one could interpret, the official whose dream Joseph had explained told Pharaoh about him.

Several things are significant about the decade or more during which Joseph lived first as a slave and later as a convict. First, Joseph made the most of his opportunities. Rather than become despondent, Joseph went to work. There is no better way to prepare for great things than to be faithful in small things.

Second, Joseph remained committed to God and godliness. We see this in Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife’s attempts to seduce him: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (39:9). It’s all too tempting, when life treats us unfairly, to take detours into sin. Joseph maintained his integrity through it all.

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The symbols of office with which Pharaoh invested Joseph were those traditionally worn by the vizier of Egypt, as shown on ancient reliefs.

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Joseph’s exaltation as second ruler of Egypt (Gen. 41). God showed Joseph the meaning of Pharaoh’s disquieting dreams. Joseph explained that Egypt would experience seven years of abundant crops, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare for the famine by storing grain during the seven good years. Pharaoh, impressed by the dream interpretation and the advice, made Joseph “second ruler” in Egypt. The symbols of Joseph’s office described in Genesis 41:42 can be seen in wall paintings from the era. They suggest that Joseph was made vizier of Egypt, the highest administrative position in the kingdom. Applying the organizational skills he had developed in Potiphar’s house and in the king’s prison, Joseph set out energetically to prepare Egypt for the coming famine.

Joseph’s reunion with his family (Gen. 42–46).When the famine struck, the entire Middle East was affected. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to purchase grain so the family might survive. On each of their two trips they met with Joseph, but did not recognize him. Finally Joseph revealed himself, and wept with happiness. He forgave his brothers and invited the whole family to settle in Egypt.

The review in Acts 7 of Joseph’s life reminds us that while Joseph is a fascinating individual, what is truly significant is the role Joseph played in God’s plan. Joseph clearly understood this plan. Joseph explained his gracious attitude toward the brothers who had sold him into slavery by saying, “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).

EXPLORING JOSEPH’S RELATIONSHIPS

The most significant relationship in the Joseph story is that which he had with his brothers. Joseph’s relationships with his brothers was complex, even though he was with them only during his youth and later as ruler of Egypt.

Joseph’s early relationship with his brothers (Gen. 37).As a child and young teen, Joseph basked in his father’s affection. He was dad’s favorite and accepted the love lavished on him as his due. Not surprisingly, Joseph was naively unaware of the effect this obvious affection had on his older brothers. Joseph hardly understood how his brothers would feel when he related dreams that suggested he would be exalted above his parents as well as them.

But the dreams made his brothers even more hostile toward him. The hostility was so great that one day when Joseph was sent to find his brothers and their flocks, the brothers decided to kill Joseph. Instead of such drastic action, Joseph’s brother Judah suggested that he be sold to a caravan of Ishmaelite merchants. Later, they led their father to believe wild beasts had killed Joseph.

When the brothers saw how utterly devastated their father Jacob was, they were sorry. By then, it was too late. In the coming years, witnessing their father’s unresolved grief deeply troubled their consciences. But their sorrow—or ours over the wrong choices we make—could never repair the damage caused by their sin.

Joseph’s later relationship with his brothers (Gen. 42–50).Joseph immediately recognized his brothers years later when ten of them came to Egypt to buy grain.

The first trip to Egypt (Gen. 42). When Joseph’s brothers arrived in Egypt they failed to recognize him. Joseph at first accused them of being spies, and questioned them closely. Joseph had a younger full brother, Benjamin, who had remained in Canaan. He demanded that they bring Benjamin to him.

The brothers, deeply disturbed and unaware that Joseph could understand their language, exclaimed that the present disaster was a just consequence of their wickedness in selling Joseph into slavery. Joseph kept Simeon in Egypt, but gave the others grain and sent them home. First, however Joseph had the silver they had paid him slipped into their grain sacks. When the money was later discovered, the brothers were terrified, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?” (Gen. 42:28).

The second trip to Egypt (Gen. 43). When the purchased grain was gone the brothers simply had to return to Egypt, the only source of food in the region. Joseph welcomed his brothers, told them not to worry about the money they had found in their sacks, fed them, and sent them away. But this time Joseph had his staff hide a valuable cup in the sacks carried by Benjamin’s donkey. Joseph’s men then pursued the brothers, found the sack, and brought them back to Joseph. When Joseph threatened to keep Benjamin as a slave, Judah begged Joseph to enslave him in place of Benjamin, pleading that their father could not survive the loss. “He alone is left of his mother’s children,” Judah pled, “and his father loves him” (Gen. 44:20; see v. 31). This selfless act by Judah, who was willing to give up his own freedom and family, is in striking contrast to the earlier actions of the brothers. (Judah was also the one who had suggested selling Joseph into slavery instead of killing him.)

At this, Joseph could no longer restrain himself. He revealed himself to his brothers, weeping and hugging them, and urging them to bring their father to Egypt where Joseph would provide for them all.

Many have wondered about Joseph’s motives in testing his brothers as he did. Was he simply taking revenge? Or did he have another reason? Knowing Joseph, we must assume that his motive was honorable. Joseph wanted to know his brothers’ hearts before making himself known. Their actions revealed their hearts. On their first visit, Joseph learned that they still felt guilt for what they had done to him. On the second visit Joseph saw in his brother Judah’s actions an inner transformation that was wonderful indeed. By the time Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he knew that he could trust them at last!

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. But often it is not enough to heal a relationship. The person who is offered forgiveness must be repentant, willing to acknowledge his fault and ready to accept the gift offered to him. Joseph’s “tests” revealed that his brothers truly were ready to receive what Joseph had always been willing to extend—a full and complete forgiveness which put the past behind and restored trust and confidence for the future.

Perhaps it is this grace of forgiveness that most reminds us of Christ and makes Joseph a Christlike figure. Both Joseph and Jesus were treated unjustly by their own people. Both suffered great loss. Both were later exalted to a position of power. Both, through their suffering, were enabled to deliver their loved ones from certain death. And both chose to forgive.

JOSEPH: AN EXAMPLE FOR TODAY

Joseph is one of the few—and perhaps the only—biblical character who seems to have had no flaw. His actions as a young teen that so provoked his brothers reflect a certain naïveté, not arrogance. His behavior in the house of Potiphar, his industriousness and integrity, are beyond rebuke. As the second most powerful man in Egypt, Joseph selflessly dedicated himself to the well being of that land. And, as an abused brother, Joseph showed such grace in forgiving those who had injured him that we cannot help comparing him with Jesus Christ. No wonder we have much to learn from Joseph, one of the truly godly men of the Old Testament.

•     Joseph teaches us to seek excellence in whatever situation we may find ourselves. What we achieve in life’s small things will train and equip us for the greater challenges ahead.

•     Joseph teaches us to live morally pure lives. We, too, live in a world filled with temptations. Keeping ourselves pure honors God and shows respect for others.

•     Joseph teaches us to maintain a positive attitude when treated unfairly. Others often abused Joseph, but he never gave in to despair. He continued to do his best in every circumstance, and in so doing, he prepared himself for the future God had in mind.

•     Joseph reminds us that while it is divine to forgive, we must also be wise in our relationship with those who have harmed us. We are always to be willing to forgive, but this does not mean we must foolishly trust ourselves to others who have proven untrust-worthy before. Joseph’s test of his brothers’ character was not undertaken to help him decide whether they were worthy of forgiveness, but rather to determine whether they were worthy of trust.

•     Joseph reminds us that fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives is more significant than our experiences along the way. Many Christians have suffered for God’s greater good, and found joy in doing so. We need to look beyond ourselves—beyond our own wants and desires–and take satisfaction in serving Him.

•     Joseph reminds us of the wonder of forgiveness and its healing power. As God has forgiven us, so we are to forgive others, freely and completely. To the extent that others will receive the forgiveness we offer, the hurts of both culprit and victim can be healed.

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