Joseph

Genesis 37:1 ESV

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

Joseph

God’s gracious work of redemption for Israel starts here and finishes 400 years later as Israel re-enters the promise land. Three strong, godly men give leadership to this period - Joseph, Moses, and Joshua. Almost a third of Genesis is taken up by Joseph’s story. While his story parallel’s the life of Daniel and Jesus, we don’t see the struggle of Job during his ordeal. God’s sovereign hand and watchful care is clearly seen over Joseph in this story.

Jacob’s toxic family:

The text does not show Jacob taking an active role as a family leader

The unchecked rivalry between Rachel and Leah

Jacob lack of response to the rape of his daughter-in-law Dinah

Ruben sleeps with his concubine

Judah’s sexual sin with Tamar

Jacob favors Joseph over his brothers (“a spoiled child” - coat of many colors ISBE). (Issac also favored Esau over Jacob). In fact, Joseph’s story starts with him “telling” on his brothers for their bad behavior.

The attempted murder of Joseph by his brothers.

God at work: Joseph (“may God add” - another son) birth begins a remarkable turning point for his parents. Up to this point, Rachel has been barren and Jacob has been taken advantage of by Laban.

With Joseph's birth (Jacob’s 11th son), Rachel’s reproach is taken away.

Jacob gets out from under the domination of Laban.

God appears to Jacob and gives him a new name Israel (to contend, prevail).

The reconciliation between Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33:7). Joseph sees how God continues to bless his father.

God gives dreams to Joseph when he is 17, and even though Jacob rebukes Joseph, he keeps the “sayings in mind”. (Gen 37:11)

What may have sustained Joseph during his captivity:

His two visions - Gen 37:2-11

The love of his father - Gen 45:9

His love for Benjamin - Gen 45:14

His love and devotion to God - Gen 39:9

Seeing God sovereign hand throughout his captivity, saving his life, promoting him, and in his ability to interpret visions - Gen 39:21; Gen 40:12, 18

Joseph’s character is forged by God during his captivity preparing him for his leadership role in Egypt and reuniting him with his family:

Character revealed under Potiphar:

Moral contrast - Judah his brother commits sexual sin with Tamar, while Joseph refuses to sleep with Potiphar’s wife - Gen 38, Gen 39:10. In Joseph’s story his cloak is used to deceive. In Judah’s story his cloak is used by Tamar to accuse him of his guilt.

Trustworthiness: Potiphar promotes Joseph and leaves him in charge of his house - Gen 39:6

Character revealed during imprisonment:

The jailer promotes Joseph in prison Gen 39:23

Joseph is willing to interpret the Cupbearer’s vision and the Baker’s vision.

Even though the Cupbearer forgets Joseph, he is still willing to interpret Pharaoh’s vision. (Gen 41:16)

Character seen under Pharoah:

Joseph (age 30) displays humility in Genesis 41:16, “It is not in me; God will give Pharoah a favorable answer”.

No evidence of resentment towards God for the way he was unjustly treated.

He names his two sons, Ephraim (for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction) and Manasseh (God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house).

He is loyal to Pharoah - collecting grain, collecting money and property from all Egypt for Pharoah

In Genesis 45:5,7 Joseph reaches out to his brothers in their distress (“horror” HAL). He displays remarkable grace and perspective during this encounter. Joseph reveals that in spite of their callous intent, it was God, not them, who sent him to Egypt to preserve life (including theirs!).

In Genesis 50:19-21 While Satan’s strategy is to deceive us that we can be like God, Joseph knows his limits - while politically powerful, he is not in the place of God. Joseph restates his story and his intent: 1) his brothers intended evil for him. 2) They did it by sending him into captivity in Egypt. 3) However God overruled in these circumstances for good. 4) He brings Joseph out of captivity and placed him in a powerful position to save his family and Egypt from starvation due to the famine. 5) Joseph promises to take care of his brothers.

God’s Hand over Joseph’s Life:

He is the firstborn son from Rachel

Given 2 dreams for the future of his family

Saved from his murderous brothers

Prospered under Potiphar (given leadership over his house)

Prospered in Jail (given leadership over the prison)

Interpreted 2 dreams for the Chief Baker and the Chief cupbearer

Interpreted 2 dreams for Pharoah

Promoted by Pharoah

Reunited to his family (fulfillment of his initial dreams)

Character Qualities: Even though his story begins as a spoiled and favored child, the word “brat” doesn’t define him as the story progresses:

He’s loyal - to Jacob, Potiphar, the prison keeper, and Pharoah - but most importantly to God.

He’s faithful - carrying out the commands of each person he serves.

Reveres God - he understands that giving in to the seduction of Potiphar’s wife is wicked and would be sin against God.

Discerning - able to explain the dreams God gives him.

Humble - at the end of the story, with all his power, he doesn’t assume the place of God.

Forgiving - to the chief baker (for forgetting him) and towards his murderous brothers.

Strong in faith - his faith in God remains unwavering in spite of his circumstances.

Strong in leadership - he quickly learned how to manage Potiphar’s home and the prison. He was also recognized by Pharoah as a leader and given charge of collecting and distributing food for all Egypt.

Insights:

Character is vital! God used Joseph’s ordeal to forge strong character. The results are seen at various times during his captivity and especially when he reconciles with his family in Egypt. The dysfunction of Jacob’s family (especially visible in his brother Judah) is set in contrast to Joseph’s character. Strongly emphasized is God’s providential care of Joseph during his ordeal. He gives him vision through his dreams, saves his life, grants him favor with his captors, and keeps him from sexual temptation. Even though bitterness, resentment, loneliness, despair are not mentioned, Joseph no doubt struggled with these from time to time. Through this Joseph learns wisdom and leadership which would prepare him for his role in the redemption of Israel in Egypt. At the end of the story, Joseph demonstrates amazing perspective about his ordeal - it was not his brothers, but God who brought him to Egypt. The story of Joseph foretells the coming of a better redeemer, Jesus (Gen 50:20).

Application:

Themes - faithfulness, justice, providence, forgiveness.