Joseph: The Epitome Of Steadfastness

Joseph: The Epitome of Steadfastness

Study Text: Genesis 37: 1 - 11

Introduction:

- The life of Joseph is an amazing story, and a godly example of steadfastness in a life of righteousness during the time of life challenges.

- After many unexpected difficult situations, and several years of toil and affliction, he remained steadfast and faithful to God, and God blessed Joseph in an unimaginable way, he became the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 41:41-44).

- Whatever affliction you are going through right now, you can follow the example of Joseph in his steadfastness and faithfulness unto God, and the God of Joseph will come through for you.

- We shall be looking at the life of Joseph under eight subheadings:

1. The Profile of Joseph

2. The Preference for Joseph

3. The Persecution of Joseph

4. The Purity of Joseph

5. The Punishment of Joseph

6. The Promotion of Joseph

7. The Power Working with Joseph

8. The Profitable Lessons from the Life of Joseph

1. The Profile of Joseph:

- The book of Genesis tells the history of one family, beginning with Abraham, Isaac and following down to his grandchildren - the sons of Jacob, who is also called Israel.

- Among the twelve children of Jacob, one child stood out, favoured by their father, and blessed by God. His name was Joseph, and his story is one of the most popular in the Bible.

- Joseph was born into a family of 10 older brothers and a younger brother.

- His father, Jacob, had two wives, but Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the true love of Jacob’s life (Genesis 29:30).

- Sadly, Joseph’s mother died when his younger brother Benjamin was born (Genesis 35:17-19).

- As most people know, Joseph was Jacob’s favourite son. This caused his brothers to envy and dislike him (Genesis 37:2-3).

2. The Preference for Joseph:

- Most people know that Joseph was well-loved by his father Jacob, as evidenced by the gift of the many coloured-coat.

- Beyond being the son of his father’s favourite wife, Rachel, the Bible shows how obedient to his father Joseph was.

- Being seventeen, Joseph was not yet sent to tend the sheep with his brothers, but Jacob did send him to go check on his ten older brothers in Shechem.

- When Joseph arrived, they were not there. They had traveled another twelve miles away to Dothan. Rather than returning to his father, Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Genesis 37:17.

- Moreover, apart from the fact that Joseph will not join his brothers in doing what is bad and unacceptable in the sight of God, he will always give their evil reports to their father.

- These qualities made him stand distinct from among the twelve sons of Jacob, and received preferential treatment from their father.

3. The Persecution of Joseph:

- It all began because of the preferential treatment and favour Joseph received from their father Jacob, over all the other sons. (Genesis 37: 3, 4)

- Joseph’s troubles reached a new level when he was 17. After a series of dreams showed that God would elevate Joseph over his brothers, his brothers’ dislike for him took a darker turn.

- The envy and hatred that was simmering in the hearts of his brothers had now reached boiling point with trouble about to burst. (Genesis 37: 8, 11).

- After a while, the brothers got their opportunity for revenge and initially planned to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:18-20).

- But, thanks to the intervention of Reuben (37:21-22) and Judah (37:26-27), they put him in a cistern and decided to sell him off as a slave.

- Eventually they sold him off to a band of Midianite merchants who in turn sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.

- As a result of his brothers’ rejection and betrayal, Joseph had lost all his rights, and was now a slave. One can only imagine the pain and loneliness this young man went through.

- God however was with Joseph and gave him favour with Potiphar, who began to see the unique faith, wisdom and skills this young Hebrew slave possessed ( Genesis 39:2-4).

4. The Purity of Joseph:

- Potiphar now put Joseph in charge of his entire household and of everything he owned. God in turn blessed Potiphar’s household in abundance, because of Joseph.

- As Joseph began to prosper in Potiphar’s household, a new and serious challenge was building up. Potiphar’s wife began to get attracted to the handsome Joseph and tried to seduce him. Soon, he was facing consistent sexual harassment at the workplace ( Genesis 39: 6 - 10).

- Eventually, when she thought she had trapped him into a compromising situation, Joseph ran away, because he did not want to hurt God. He was steadfast in righteousness, rather than enjoying the pleasure of sin for a while. ( Genesis 39:8-9).