Tested and Tried: The Steadfast Loyalty of Joseph

Scripture Reading: Gen 37:3-4, 23-28

Genesis 37:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Genesis 37:23–28 KJV 1900

23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. 26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Introduction

Joseph’s life is a remarkable tapestry of divine providence, human betrayal, and unwavering faith. He was the beloved son of Jacob (Israel) and received a special “coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:3 KJV), which fueled his brothers’ jealousy. This envy reached a boiling point when Joseph shared dreams that implied leadership over his siblings (Genesis 37:7–9). Eventually, Joseph’s brothers plotted against him, threw him into a pit, and sold him into slavery.

In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). Though Joseph served faithfully, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison (Genesis 39:11–20). Yet even in prison, Joseph rose to a position of trust and responsibility because “the LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21 KJV).

It is here, in prison, that Joseph encountered two of Pharaoh’s officers: the chief cupbearer (KJV often “butler”) and the chief baker (Genesis 40). Each had a dream, and Joseph interpreted both accurately—proclaiming one would be restored and the other executed. But before we delve into the specific tests Joseph endured, let’s see what undergirded Joseph’s loyalty to God: all others had failed him, but God never did.

I. Betrayed but Not Broken

1. The Favor of Jacob

• Joseph’s father loved him more than all his children (Genesis 37:3).

• This favoritism led Joseph’s brothers to resent him.

• Application: People may turn against us, but God’s favor can remain with us. Like Joseph, we can remain steadfast knowing God will not abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).

2. Sold into Slavery

• Joseph’s own family sold him for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28).

• This was the first major test of Joseph’s faith. He was ripped away from his homeland, betrayed by those closest to him.

• Prophetic Parallel: Joseph’s betrayal for silver foreshadows Jesus being betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Both betrayals involve a loved/trusted individual handing over the righteous one.

3. Hebrew Word Study: שָׂנֵא (śānē’, Strong’s H8130) – “to hate.”

• Genesis 37:4 states that Joseph’s brothers “hated him.” This hatred drove them to treachery. Joseph’s test began with hatred and betrayal, yet he clung to God because he had no one else to turn to.

II. Faithful in the House of Potiphar

1. Promotion in a Foreign Land

• Joseph served Potiphar so diligently that he was quickly promoted (Genesis 39:4). This showed his integrity and God’s favor.

• Application: Even in adverse circumstances (a foreign land, enslaved condition), faithfulness can bring God’s blessings.

2. Temptation and False Accusation

• Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39:7–10). Joseph refused, stating, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9 KJV).

• Application: Joseph’s loyalty was rooted in his relationship with God, not in external circumstances. When people fail, God remains the ultimate moral compass.

3. Thrown into Prison

• Despite his purity of heart, Joseph was falsely accused and cast into prison (Genesis 39:20).

• Yet even there, God’s hand was on Joseph: “the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy” (Genesis 39:21 KJV).

• New Testament Parallel: Believers are sometimes persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10). Like Joseph, we trust that God is with us, even in the “prisons” of life.

4. Hebrew Word Study: חָסֶד (ḥāsêd, Strong’s H2617) – “lovingkindness” or “mercy.”

• Genesis 39:21: “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy.”

• God’s ḥāsêd follows His people in every situation, from the pit to the prison.

III. Faithful in the Prison: Encounter with Cupbearer and Baker

1. Serving Others in Captivity

• Genesis 40:4: The captain of the guard charged Joseph with the care of the cupbearer and the baker.

• Joseph could have withdrawn in bitterness, but instead, he served faithfully and compassionately (Genesis 40:6–7).

2. Interpreting Dreams

• Both the cupbearer and baker had troubling dreams. Joseph acknowledged the source of his gift: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8 KJV).

• He interpreted both dreams accurately: within three days, the cupbearer would be restored (Genesis 40:12–13), and the baker would be executed (Genesis 40:18–19).

• Application: Joseph stands firm in testifying about God’s power. He doesn’t take credit for the revelations, highlighting his humility and trust in the Lord.

3. Forgotten by the Cupbearer

• After the cupbearer was restored, he “forgat him” (Genesis 40:23 KJV).

• Another painful test: Joseph did a great service, but was abandoned once again.

• Prophetic Insight: This parallels how Jesus was often forgotten or forsaken by those He helped (Luke 17:17–18, the ten lepers). True loyalty to God means we serve Him regardless of recognition or gratitude from others.

4. Greek Word Study (New Testament Parallel):

• μακροθυμία (makrothymia, Strong’s G3115) – “longsuffering” or “patience.”

• Joseph embodied longsuffering, waiting patiently under unjust conditions. In Galatians 5:22, patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. Joseph exemplifies this fruit hundreds of years before the New Testament was written.

IV. Why Joseph Remained Loyal to God

1. He Had No One Else to Depend On

• Betrayed by brothers, slandered by Potiphar’s wife, and forgotten by the cupbearer, Joseph discovered that only God remained constant.

• Psalm 27:10: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Though Joseph’s father had not forsaken him willingly, the betrayal of his brothers proved the frailty of human relationships.

2. He Believed in God’s Unchanging Character

• Joseph had received dreams (Genesis 37:5–9) that signaled a future purpose. He clung to that promise despite his present trials.

• Application: We can remain loyal when we remember the promises and character of God: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29 KJV).

3. He Trusted God’s Sovereignty

• Joseph’s statement to his brothers much later sums it up: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20 KJV).

• No matter how people conspired against him, Joseph never lost sight that God was orchestrating a bigger plan.

• New Testament Parallel: Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God.”

Conclusion: Holding Fast When All Else Fails

Joseph’s life up to his encounter with the cupbearer and baker reveals a man who consistently passed the tests of betrayal, temptation, slander, and disappointment. He remained loyal to God, precisely because every human support system had crumbled. His story challenges us to cling to God when family, friends, or circumstances disappoint. It teaches us that our loyalty to God should never waver, for He alone is our unshakable foundation.

Practical Takeaways:

1. Resist Bitterness: Like Joseph, keep serving faithfully even when you have every reason to withdraw (Ephesians 4:31–32).

2. Acknowledge God in All Gifts: Like Joseph said, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8). Use your gifts, but give God the glory (James 1:17).

3. Endure in Hope: Remember that even in prison, God’s lovingkindness was with Joseph. In your trials, God’s presence is your strength (Psalm 46:1).

4. Trust God’s Good Plan: Joseph’s tribulations eventually led to a position where he could save many (Genesis 41–50). Your trials may be the stepping-stones to fulfilling the divine assignment God has for you (Romans 8:28).

Final Encouragement:

• Galatians 6:9 (KJV): “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

• Like Joseph, we do not faint in the face of betrayal or suffering; we remain loyal to the One who never fails.

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”— Billy Graham