Self-preservation is preferable on occasion. 0000000016 00000 n Josephine is a female given name. Purpose In Your Pain: Lessons From Joseph The pharaoh calls for Joseph, who once again interprets the dream with wisdom. Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph! However, this was not his heart. Faith-fueled peace doused the anxious fire in Joseph's chest. Since his purpose was to prevent hunger in the known world at the time, God permitted Josephs suffering. When the seven years of good harvests came, Joseph developed a stockpiling system to store the grain for use during the coming drought. I am yours. Believers and non-believers can see it as an illustration of the need to keep trying and persevere. The name is also found in the New Testament as the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Why Did Jacob Loved Joseph The Most? - Bliss Tulle The Old Testament is filled with characters who have massive and often repeated moral failures. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. I have no idea what my being in an Egyptian prison has to do with your purposes. Key-verse for Life of Joseph: The Lord was with Joseph. It made him grateful for his private cell, the favor bestowed on the chief scribe to the warden. Josephs second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. Were on a mission to change that. The Eleven Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Napthali, Isaacher, Asher, Dan Zebulun Gad, Benjamin, Judahalthough acting usually as a grouphave their own different personalities, talents, and flaw. What kind of leader was Joseph in the Bible? God does not want the issues of life to weigh us down as believers. Joseph was prepared to forget their transgressions and welcome them back into his life, but first, he had to decide whether they merited another chance. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zipah, his fathers wives. and Joseph Go to Bethlehem Fast forward to being a man in his 30sbecause he was tested, his character had become chiseled and polished. You miss the chance to grow in godly character and to demonstrate to God that you are expanding your understanding of and relying on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the instant you succumb to temptation based on lame reasons. SUNDAY SERVICE || 30TH APRIL 2023 | SUNDAY 3RD Joseph 0000001899 00000 n Now lets take a look at how Josephs patience enabled him to be a better leader. How do you see Gods work, and what do you learn about Him? Dont give up on God. There was nothing Joseph could do to get himself out of slavery or prison. trailer Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? Joseph waited patiently for Gods promise since he was aware of this. He was given the responsibility to manage Potiphar household. Web14 Joseph was cautious. We can easily see why our world lacks patience. Peter: Leaders recover from failure. Rebekah trusted God's word. And if you want to learn more about being a servant leader, make sure you check out our free ebook on Nehemiah: 15 Biblical Leadership Principles. April to May 2023 CrossOver by Foursquare Wuse Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come close to me. When they had done so, he said, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! All of them ultimately saw God's faithfulness to his promises, despite circumstances and their own failings. WebJoseph's story covers 20 chapters, and in that considerable space Joseph receives less criticism and more praise than any of the other patriarchs, and probably than any other non-divine being in the Bible. Joseph Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. Joseph is finally freed from prison at age thirty, or thirteen years after being sold as a slave. Joseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness, by Dr. Gene Getz, celebrates on the Joseph knew that sinning against Potiphar was wrong, but that it was even worse to commit the sin because it was offensive to God. So it was not you who sent me here, but God (Genesis 45:5&7-8a). And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. But God was with him (10) and rescued him from all his troubles. WebJoseph Rejected Bitterness and Chose to Forgive. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Of the twelve, one child stood out, favored by their father, and blessed by God. Yet in many other places in the Bible, God shows that pride goes before destruction! Required fields are marked *. And Joseph (and 3 powerful lessons But they also appeared genuinely sorry. He was immaturehe didnt stop to think of the hurt that his actions could cause. Joseph The Father Of Jesus Which council established the canon of the Bible? Again, thanks for sharing. Divine guidance led Joseph to take his family up north, away from Jerusalem and all its intrigues, back to his hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. What is the theme of the story of Joseph? He smiled at the irony of this "favor." Joseph resisted her repeated attempts to persuade him to sin. Imagine the imprint this made on this young man! All rights reserved. You and I are not likely to have gone through what Joseph did at this time. Most people know that Joseph was well-loved by his father Jacob, as evidenced by the gift of the many colored-coat. Lessons From The Story Of Samson And Delilah, Best K-Pop Groups In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12 Most Popular, African Countries With the Most Beautiful Women (With Pictures): Top 13, 10 Important Skills That Will Be Relevant in The Future, Past Leaders Of Nigeria From 1914 Till Date (With Pictures), Oldest Cities In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12, Most Powerful People In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 10, Best Trained Armies/Soldiers In The World 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12. Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. There are definitely times to take action and work for change, but there are also times when God simply calls us to wait. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? Joseph is now forty years old and practically a king, and its been twenty-three years since they sent him away as a slave. WebMoses and Joshua both prophets of God faced many obstacles in their lives. COURAGE: Beating Fear and Overcoming Doubt He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. In her book, I Give Up, Laura Story shares this exchange with a Pastor named Bill. Instead of keeping this to himself, Joseph lets everyone know. Through a number of tests, he got them to confess their past guilt and misdeeds or wrongdoing. Joseph exemplifies this perfectly, and we would do well today to learn from him. You may be right about that, or you could be wrong. He was handsome. What challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? He had great dreams that made him feel good about himself. May God rise you up as God rose up Joseph. Though we may have our plans in place, it is important to keep our hearts open to where God may tell us to take a turn and do something different. He is to search for and find Gods plan.. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Patience and grace are important, as Joseph illustrated. He attracted Potiphars wifes attention by being young and attractive, and she attempted to seduce him. Web#1 Joseph wanted to do what was right but with a spirit of compassion. We may doubt our faith, but God will continue to be right by our side. It took Joseph 13 chapters (Gen. 37-50) and approximately 24 years (best guess from Bible scholars) to come to this place of What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection? Every story contains instructive lessons about behavior, righteousness, and what it means to live by Gods Word, whether you are seeking a lesson for a kid, a young adult, or someone who is well past middle age. Joseph teaches us the value of self control in the temptation of the youth. Because of the famine, Joseph's family in the Valley of Hebron needed food. Our current circumstances, however dismal or successful, are not our story's end. Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. At the age of 17, Josephs issues intensified. After being sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaohs guard, and quickly earned the highest position in the household. When was the Bible put together as one book? Sometimes faithfulness to God and his word sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. One of the household employees who witnessed Josephs act while he was imprisoned and later released and returned to serve the Pharaoh of Egypt was pardoned. We cant take one small instance of sharing Dreams, and come to the conclusion that he was a very proud individual! 0000036829 00000 n The Story of Joseph in the Bible: 5 Strategies for WebGod was with Joseph every step of the way. Moses Joseph could have become complacent or selfish or a big complainer. Now that its been almost 12 months, Im really hoping weve crossed the finish line. Despite her many attempts to lure Joseph into sin, Joseph would not sin, But he refused and said to his masters wife, Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. Obstacles In The Life Of Moses And Joshua What challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? 0000010258 00000 n It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. 0000001557 00000 n Gods way, not mans way, is to be taken as the guide of action. The first comes from a declaration made by Joseph to his brothers, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20a). He didnt ignore his fears, he faced them by understanding there are two parts: Gods part and our part. challenges His brothers would love this if they knew. I can wait. So the brothers journeyed at the behest of their father to Egypt. Joseph was aware that it was terrible to sin against Potiphar, but the fact that it was a sin against God made it even worse. He wisely feared Herods successor, Archelaus, who was likewise vicious and murderous. All materials posted on the site are strictly for informational and educational purposes! You just surrender. Relying On Gods Direction Will Help You get Ready For The Future: God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation throughout his life. Web18 On the babys eighth day, Mary and Joseph had him circumcised as the Mosaic Law required, naming him Jesus, as directed. He had great success because of his faith. Joseph may have had other motivations for telling his brothers, but its hard to believe pride wasnt a big part of it. Joseph can be trusted to the point that Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care. And I would argue that Joseph had a lot of growing to do. He seemed about as far away from what those dreams foretold as he could be. His life became a powerful example of how a godly person can overcome adversities. Joseph was still stuck. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Not discovered. $ 12.99 $ 10.00. Even though Josephs life took many unexpected turns, he eventually ascended to the position of second-in-command inside the Egyptian kingdom. They likely were the reason he was now in Egypt. What challenges did Joseph face, and what do you learn about him? I love this article! However, this favour was short-lived. It can be hard for any leader to truly be patient. Hopefully, God will reveal to you the reason (or at least part of the reason) behind your suffering. 8. Joseph: The Man with a Divine Purpose | Bible.org Some might argue that because of his pride his brothers sold him. And that leader would Go deeper by registering for our course on the Story of the Bible. He brought his whole family to be closer to him, and was finally reunited with his father once again. And while I am far from perfect, I dont believe that God allowed what happened because of pride. Your email address will not be published. Everyone Is Entitled To Second Chances: The way Joseph handled his brothers who had wronged him is yet another example of leadership that can be learned. For Joseph, even though it looked like horrible things were happening in his life, the challenges were a training ground to get where God wanted him to be ! Joseph made three serious errors in judgment. This is a very real issue today. Joseph was the firstborn child of Rachel, who was Jacobs genuine love and one of his four wives. Most Inspiring Leadership Lessons from Bible Characters And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. She was aggressive, with the Bible asserting in Genesis 39:10, she spoke to Joseph day after day.. He is the author of. I have studied the life of Joseph extensively. So do not fear;I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Web5.5K views, 279 likes, 250 loves, 655 comments, 255 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Joseph Z: A TERRIFYING END FOR THE WICKEDAnd YOUR GLORIOUS FUTURE! He maintained his faith and relied on God during the 23 years he spent in Egypt before the arrival of his brothers. WebGod also had a purpose in Josephs sufferings for Josephs brothers and family. In the storms of life, in the darkest moments, cling to Gods promises, knowing His sovereign plan involves the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalm 23:4), but He is with His children. I know in my head that I need God, but my heart sure doesnt feel that most of the time. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Joseph, therefore, approached this circumstance with caution and wisdom. There will be good times and there will be hard times, but God loves you and is working in you and through you, even when you cannot see it or understand it. God will take care of those who love and obey him, just like he did with Joseph. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. of Joseph: Staying Faithful When Things Just Get Worse Our lives have become so much more convenient thanks to technology that we now feel entitled to the pleasant things in life. Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism. The cupbearer will soon be released and promises to try and help Joseph get out of prison. Joseph saw value in his life for others and he made himself a chance to stand up for Gods word when he was faced with temptation. What problems did Saint Joseph face? - Answers As a group they sell Joseph into slavery, but as individuals they deal with the following years and how they can make amends. challenges 0000022426 00000 n Joseph Had Every Justification in The World For Not Continuing To Follow God, Yet He Chose Not To: Realizing that there isnt any justification that is acceptable for us to sin is what we need to do. Joseph received a fabulously colored coat and rose to become the second most powerful man in the Egyptian empire. What Was Joseph Weakness? - Bliss Tulle Every single instance was an emotional fight. Actually, the story of Joseph begins before Genesis 37. Principled- he had character and integrity. Almighty GOD wants us to learn of Him ASAP When we have an earnest desire to Love GOD at an early age, as I did, He will begin to work on your future and the sky is the limit. Instead, he chose mercy and grace. At Potiphars house, Joseph would have been terribly missing his family, his friends, his home and he would have been very hurt because of what his half-brothers did to him just recently. Joseph has an unnerving lack of foresight, with most of his plans being conceived moments before theyre implemented. When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. He was handsome. Day after monotonous Because of this, the people in Egypt ate during the famine, and people came from all over the world to purchase the food during that time as well. He failed to recognize his familys problematic But then one day his entire life changed. What steps do I take to do that? Youre not getting me, Laura, Bill had said. Knowing this made the other brothers hate Joseph. and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. Some prosper materially and financially, but their spiritual life is in darkness. Wait is wait. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured (Genesis 41:47-49). His devotion to the God of his fathers and to his family, as well as the fascinating twists and turns in his life, make him a Biblical figure whose life is both interesting and instructive. God made stunning promises and then ordained time and circumstances to work in such ways as to make the promises seem impossible to fulfill. Joseph and Potiphars Wife (Genesis 39) | Imitate Their Faith He doesnt get it, doesnt trust my words, and cant understand why I would force him to take the medicine he hates. Your email address will not be published. Victoria: Global Book Publishing, 2006. 1. Nehemiah was an incredible leader, and this free study explored his story and 15 leadership principles from his life. 0000014099 00000 n Remember, he demonstrated a good dose of pride at the beginning of the story. 0000011447 00000 n It may have taken decades, but he was able to see why God put him through so many trials and tribulations. In the same way that God can give us the grace and strength to get through challenging times, He also gives us grace and strength to live with integrity like Joseph did. Who are the main characters in the story of Joseph? 11. It is the English version of the French name Josphine. Benjamin was born just as Josephs mother passed away. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. I think in this season of life you need to wait on the Lord. Yes! Jacob lived in the land of his fathers sojournings, in the land of Canaan. Joseph showed tremendous discipline as a leader. Jacob knew that his sons did not like Joseph but had no idea just how much they detested him. Im going to start a company and turn it into a Fortune 500 in three years! Hebrew. And as he sought to trust and obey God during that terribly lonely, desolate time, things went from bad to worse. Joseph He felt ambivalent about them. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Jon Bloom serves as teacher and cofounder of Desiring God. Would he ever again? As a young and handsome man, he drew the sinful attention of Potiphars wife, and she tried to seduce him. These are the generations of Jacob. 125 0 obj <> endobj Beyond being the son of his fathers favorite wife, Rachel, the Bible shows how obedient to his father Joseph was. 3. And so, like Joseph, we must remember that true growth takes time. After all those years, Joseph forgave his brothers for their wrong-doing, even though they initially approached him in fear rather than repentance. Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in his family. His brothers hated him and sold him into slavery; he spent years in jail for choosing not to engage in sin, and he was forgotten by those he helped for quite some time. Each vignette holds pertinent lessons about conduct, righteousness, and what it means to live according to Gods Word. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. Fortunately, God used that time to teach Joseph and help him grow. Salem Media Group. And of course, we can look forward to the day when all the bad things will be forgotten, and we can spend an eternity closer to God than ever before. Moral Lessons From The Story Of Joseph: The Bible contains several well-known stories, including Josephs tale. I need to wait on God. Wait is wait. Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? We can say with confidence that this is what God wanted for Joseph. Joseph made three critical errors in judgment: He was indiscriminatehe didnt recognize the troubled situation in God would be their God by His presence as well as by His word.(Clowney, 2013, p. 113) Mosesstory was presented in the Old Testament of the book of exodus begins with the obstacle of him escaping death as an infant. We can see how God operates in the big picture via Josephs tale. The Importance of Avoiding Tempting Situations. In ancient Rome, the magpie was associated with magic and fortune telling. The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt Yet God was faithful to his word and eventually delivered Jacob and brought him back to the Promised Land a wealthy man. Im ready, lets go!. Joseph refused to stand in judgment of them and assured them that they were forgiven. The medicine was like a snake to him, and he fought it as hard as he could. Either way, God calls us to continue worshipping Him and doing the best work we can to bless others. But that did not stop him from doing his duties. Joseph - Overcoming Lifes Challenges - Webflow Despite our best efforts to explain the benefits of the medicine, he did not want it. I have much for which to be thankful! He is working, even when we cannot see it or feel it. OUR PART: I will do what I can to not fret and to find strength in the Lord, to move forward and not give up. There is coming a day when those who are faithful, even to death (Revelation 2:10) will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. First, God is with us no matter our life situation. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he waited the escape of sleep. If you want to show the kind of patience Joseph did during difficult times, then stay as close to God as possible. Last week I found myself pretty angry with God. Good things happened, according to Genesis 39:3-4: His master saw that theLordwas with him and that theLord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. Jacob's smile filled Joseph's mind. I also did not feel that Joseph was not prideful when he revealed that he had dreams of his brothers in the fields. He was given the responsibility to manage Potiphar household. Joseph was an amazing servant leader. Ive been struggling with having patience and often this has manifested in anger toward God. Being seventeen, Joseph was not yet sent to tend the sheep with his brothers, but Jacob did send his second-youngest son to go check on his ten older brothers in Shechem. Joseph also recognized this when he said to his brothers, God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Gen. 45:7). Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. There are no steps. The Egyptians believed that everybody had prophetic dreams. Who needs leadership experience when youre smart or have an MBA? It is the ecology of these motifs that enunciates the theme: Gods providential work with and through Jacobs dysfunctional family, preserving it and blessing others. Thanks Laurie for the kind words and thoughtful response! Here is how Joseph responds: But Joseph said to them, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? While most people will not be the leaders of great countries or mighty empires, Joseph walked with the Lord, and his character - the virtues he lived by - are attainable for the believer who walks with the Lord. His own brothers, consumed with Even though at times it feels impossible to believe, if I honestly think about it I know that God has been growing me tremendously. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. Joseph - Walking with God Its the perfect example of how many of us think yes! Josephs father had been touched the Lord Himself, and was changed for the remainder of his life. We shall examine some applicable moral lessons from the story of Joseph in this post. The story of Joseph reminds me that the trials may not be finished. Joseph was given the knowledge and direction by God to do this challenging task: Due to this, Egypts population survived the famine buyers traveled from all over the world to buy food during that period. Joseph and Mary Great! The other important theme and lesson is that The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2a), and of course He is with all His children, even today. Until finally the Pharaoh himself has a troubling dream. The power would have risen to his head rather quickly, and he could not have led the way that people needed him to lead. Despite being a man who consistently honored God, Joseph spent 16 years as a slave and then as a prisoner in Egypt. Joseph did know his brothers at first sight, and wept several times in private. Relate the history concerning Jacob and Rachels first son. Once again, despite being in prison, Joseph continues to honor God with his heart and actions. In regards to Joseph, here are some leadership qualities I admire in him: Joseph first demonstrated his other gifts of organization and management as a young man of seventeen, when he was tending his fathers flocks. At the moment, the largest Catholic center is the Vatican a city-state located in Rome. Remembering these two themes, and learning from the Biblical example of Joseph, can bring believers closer to their Lord. The last year has been pretty tough for a lot of different reasons, and Im ready to move out of this season. God enabled Joseph to have the wisdom and guidance to perform this difficult task: During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. 0000011114 00000 n Joseph wept, and the brothers fell before him offering to be his slaves. Joseph understood the lesson fleshed out in his own fathers experienceGod is real! Introduction. Joseph, Overcoming Obstacles Through Faithfulness - Bible 5 Lessons for Hard Times from the Life of Joseph - The 0000003037 00000 n The Bible story of Joseph is an inspiring tale of how a young man rose from adversity to become one of the most powerful men in the world. Just as with Mary and Joseph, troubles and trials in life are tools in the hand of God to mold us and shape us and make us into something beyond our imagination. It was the remembering that kept his hope alive and bitterness at bay. But never once does it say anything about Joseph having to lose pride before he could be a proper leader.