Joseph’s Journey

From The Pit to The Throne

Esau’s Legacy (Ch. 36)

The Edomites prevented Israel’s passage in Numbers 20:14-21 even though Moses promised no harm and even offered to pay whatever water the Israelites drank.

David conquered Edom in 2 Samuel 8:13-14, and Edom was subject to Israel during the reign of David and Solomon.

After Solomon’s death, Edom remained under the control of Judah, though unattested until the time of Jehoshaphat.

Near the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign, Edom joined with other enemies of Judah for a raid on En-gedi (2 Chr. 20).

Edom successfully revolted against Jehoram (849–842), gaining freedom from Judah (2 Kgs. 8:20-22).The book of Obadiah is almost exclusively addressing Edom, speaking of Edom’s sins and coming judgment. Jeremiah 49 does the same.

The end of Edom is shrouded in mystery. We know only that Edom lost its independence in the fifth century B.C., and from about 312 B.C. it was controlled by the Nabateans.

Jacob’s Legacy & Joseph (Ch. 37).

Jacob does not have a big family. At hind sight Esau appears to be doing much better financially and legacy wise. Esau had 400 armed men when he encountered Jacob. Jacob on the other hand only has a few verses describing his lineage. The story then transitions to Joseph.

We learn that Joseph is hated by his brothers because of their jealousy towards him. Joseph was favored by Jacob and Joseph’s brothers did not like this. (v.3 He was loved more by Jacob)

Joseph was given a robe of many colors v.3.

Joseph not only was favored but he also had dreams that made his brothers more angry and more jealous of him. v5.

Joseph had dreams about his family bowing down to him. This was very disturbing to his brothers because he was the youngest brother and they did not like that he would “rule” over them.

Joseph was sent by his father Israel to go and check on his brothers who were tending the sheep. V.14.

When his brothers saw him, they plotted to kill him. V18.

They discussed killing him, but then Reuben the oldest brother told them to put him in a pit and leave him there. Reuben wanted to rescue him later but at some point Judah, suggested to sell Joseph for 20 shekels of silver.

The brothers bring back Joseph’s robe with an animals blood to sell the story to Israel that he had been torn into pieces and killed by a wild animal. V31-34

Israel is devastated by this news and weeps and mourns the death of his son Joseph. V35.

Joseph is Falsely Accused (Ch. 39)

Joseph is taken to Egypt by the Ismaelites and is sold to Potiphar,. an officer of Pharaoh. v1.

God was with Joseph, v2. These words are the most comforting throughout his story. The fact that God is with him even in his affliction and suffering.

Genesis 39:2–6 ESV

2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

Imagine how he must have felt, betrayed and abandoned by his own brothers. In a strange land where he has never been.

Joseph’s life was spiraling downward and God says, “He was with him”.

Because God was with Joseph he was successful in everything he did. v. 3-6. To the point that Potiphar put him in charge of everything at his home.

Joseph was attractive v. 7

Joseph was so attractive that Potiphar’s wife wanted him to sleep with her but Joseph refused to betray Potiphar. She would beg him day after day, but Joseph remained pure and avoided her by ignoring her. Joseph finally is tested for the final time and he runs away from her leaving his clothes behind that she tried to grab him by. v7 - 22. The wives persistence eventually lead her to lie and bear false witness to a crime Joseph never commited. She accused Joseph of raping her and the proof was his clothes being left behind.

Potiphar in his anger puts Joseph in prison for his alleged crimes. So now Joseph is falsely accused and put in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Genesis 39:21–23 ESV

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

It is important to understand that when we go through unfortunate events in life, afflictions, storms, and really hard tests, God is with us from beginning to end. Even though it might feel like he’s not with us, we can trust that he is.

In Joseph’s life God made him succeed in everything he did. It was the grace of God and his favor that made him successful not his own ability.

When God has a plan for you, and he does, remember that it is not by your ability that you succeed but by his favor in your life. Pray for guidance and for him to lead you through the difficult situations. Remember he is building character in you through these difficult times.

John 15:1–2 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Christ is pruning us in the seasons where we struggle to give fruit, but it is to be more fruitful. The trials help our faith grow and our trust in Christ to grow. We become perfect and complete not because it springs out of us, but because God is forming us into his image.

Joseph is Forgotten (Ch.40)

There are two workers of Pharaoh who are thrown into prison under Joseph’s guard. These two men angered Pharaoh and were thrown into prison. v. 1-4

The two workers a cupbearer and a baker both had dreams and were disturbed by the dreams. Joseph offered to help interpret their dreams and did in fact interpret them with God’s discernment. v. 5-13

Genesis 40:14 ESV

14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.

Genesis 40:21–23 ESV

21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Joseph’s interpretations were both correct and prophetic in nature. They came to pass just as he had told the two workers.

But the one who was restored to his position did not remember Joseph. Joseph is forgotten. This was his opportunity to maybe be released from prison. But it was not God’s timing yet.

Sometimes in our affliction we are desperate to want to leave or get out of that situation, but God has his timing . He is sovereign and knows all things. God has the perfect timing and when things don’t go your way, don’t become anxious or frustrated, instead continue to trust in God. His plan is greater than yours.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Joseph as Ruler (Ch. 41)

Pharaoh is now having his own dreams, two years after the cupbearer was released and restored into service. v. 1.

Pharaoh explains his dreams in verses 2-8 but he can’t find anyone who can interpret them. Not even his magicians or wise men can interpret. v. 8.

The cupbearer then remembered Joseph while he was in prison and how his dream was interpreted and came to pass. v. 9-13

Pharaoh calls Joseph and has a conversation with him. But its important to highlight his response to Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:15–16 ESV

15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Joseph then interprets both of Pharaoh’s dreams which meant that there would be 7 years of plentiful harvest and 7 years of famine. Joseph warned that they must save some of the harvest in the good years to survive the famine. To put someone in charge of this and manage this project to survive the famine that would come. v. 17-37

Lets look at how Pharaoh responds to this.

Genesis 41:38 ESV

38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Even Pharaoh recognized God’s hand in Joseph. There was no other God who could be as wise as our God. The God who was in Joseph.

So Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:39–44 ESV

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Joseph suffered 13 years up until the point he became a ruler in Egypt. He was 17 years old when he was sold and he was 30 years old when he became ruler.

God gave Joseph a family. When he names his sons he names them this:

Genesis 41:51–52 ESV

51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Here Joseph summarizes his life with the two names of his sons. He thanks God for helping him forget his hardship of those 13 years of suffering and affliction, and he also worships God for making him fruitful in the middle of his affliction.

Our trials are only for some time, they will pass but when they pass we must see how God is producing fruit in our life. Sometimes we might not see the fruit being produced but we must trust that God is producing fruit in us and through us.

Finally this chapter ends with the famine starting and Egypt prospering because of Joseph. Joseph is still in charge and distributes the goods to Egyptians and many peoples who come from around the area looking for food and water.

Judah and the Lineage of Jesus (Ch.38)

This story is about Judah and Tamar.

Judah has sons and his son is killed by God and Tamar is left a widow. After many attempts of providing a son to her Judah is deceived and tempted to sleep with Tamar, after she pretends to be a prostitute. Finally Tamar becomes pregnant with her father in law Judah and had twins. Perez was the first to come out and Zerah was the second to come out.

What we know is that Perez is in the line of King David, who is in the line of Jesus. Perez is mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in the book of Luke. This is why this chapter is so important.

Remember that Judah was the brother who suggested selling Joseph instead of killing Joseph since they were from the same blood.

Judah slept with whom he thought was a prostitute but instead it was his widowed daughter in law.

God struck down two of his sons because they were seen as wicked in the sight of God.

It was through this man whom the lineage of Christ would come from.

What we can see here is God’s sovereign hand in Israel. How God favored even sinful men. In fact chose Judah over Joseph who was pure and stood through every trial. The question arises why not Joseph? Only God truly knows.

Questions to ask: