Bible Biography: Joseph

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 30:24 - 50:26.

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob: his first by Rachel (Genesis 30:24, 35:24) and his favorite son (Genesis 37:3, cf. 33:2,7). Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers. By the age of thirty (Genesis 41:46), having spent time in jail as a servant of other prisoners, he is made second rule over Egypt. By wise planning he was able to deflect the scourge of a major famine, saving Egypt, Canaan and his own family from starvation and death.

Reconciliation with his brothers followed, the family settling in the pastures of Goshen in the north-east delta area, After burying Jacob in Canaan, Joseph commanded that his bones should be carried into Canaan when the Jews eventually left Egypt (under Moses). When Joseph eventually died his sarcophagus remained as a reminder of the future of the Jews in the promised land. He died at the age of 110 (Genesis 50:26).

SUMMARY

a) Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3) which gave him rulership over his older brothers.

b) This situation was not improved by his telling them of dreams of his future superiority (Genesis 37:5-11).

c) His brothers plot to remove him from his position and throw him into a cistern (Genesis 37:18-24).

d) He is sold to the Ishmaelites or Midianites (Genesis 37:28; cf. Judges 8:22-28).

e) Joseph is sold to Potiphar, the chief of police in Egypt (Genesis 37:36). There were many young Semites who were servants in Egypt. Papyrus Brooklyn lists 79 servants in an Egyptian household in 1740 BC of whom at least 45 were Semites.

f) Potiphar makes Joseph the administrator over his house (Genesis 39:4-6).

g) Potiphar's wife becomes frustrated and fabricates a false charge against Joseph (Genesis 39:7-20).

h) His administrative skills are soon recognized as shortly after being thrown into prison by Potiphar, Joseph becomes the defacto administrator of the jail (Genesis 39:21-23).

i) Joseph now becomes the servant of two ministers who are imprisoned because of an attempted coup and interprets their dreams (Genesis 40:1-13, 16-22).

j) Joseph relies on the memory of the cup bearer, who has an attack of amnesia (Genesis 40:14-15, 23).

k) Pharaoh has a series of dreams some two years later, upon which Joseph is released from prison to interpret. He is rewarded by rulership over Egypt (Genesis 41:1-45).

LIFE LESSONS

a) God provides opportunity to train for future ministry as He did for Joseph with administration experience in various areas (Acts 7:22).

b) God's timing is perfect: He protects this believer by the prompt arrival of the camel train.

c) Man's hostility can be used for God's future glory (Romans 9:17).

d) Dreams were a legitimate means of giving guidance from God (e.g. Daniel and Ezekiel).

e) In order to rule you have to learn to be a servant (John 13:16,17).

f) You should not rely on the wisdom or skill of man to retrieve you from difficult positions but should rest on the provision of God (Jeremiah 17:5; Psalm 146:3).

g) If you are prepared, God will provide wisdom and understanding in times of crisis (Luke 12:11,12).

h) Life is made up of sunshine and shadows (Job 1:21).

i) God uses obedient and trained personnel (1 Samuel 3:9; 15:22).

j) "And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God for those who are the called according to His purpose. " (Romans 8:28)

k) It was bad, that Joseph was favored by his father - but it worked together for good as it gave him leadership training. (v. 3,4)

l) It was good, that Joseph had the Word of God shown to him and it worked together for good as it gave him confidence when it was fulfilled. (v 5-11)

m) It was bad that his brothers hated him but it worked together for good for if he had not been sold he would not have been in a position to help his brothers in the future. (v 20)

n) It was good that the camel train was on time and it worked together for good. If it had been late or early, Joseph would have perished in the pit. (v 25-27)

o) It was bad that he was sold for 20 pieces of silver but it worked together for good. (v 28)

p) It was both bad and good that he was sold into Potiphar's household but it worked together for good. It was bad that he was a slave but it was good that it was Potiphar as it gave him training in management. (v 36)