Joseph, the man whose story brings the Book of Genesis to an end. He dominates thirteen chapters of this book. A great man indeed by all accounts.
Many things make him great. Let us address a few.
i. Great in administration and management both of households, institutions and government. Genesis 37:2, Genesis 37:14, Genesis 39:2-4,Genesis 39: 21-23, Genesis 41:40. Wherever Joseph went, he headed things and ran them well because the LORD was with him.
Many times when we are in the doldrums, we do any task assigned to us very badly. To accompany the long faces and terrible attitude, we do the work in such a way that it will have to be repeated. Our friend Joseph, was a slave, no one was ever going to pay him for anything he did. No one was ever going to appreciate him or note what he was doing. He without doubt was very sad, angry, justifiably aggrieved, concerned for his safety and wellbeing and on top of all that he was a foreigner and loneliness must have dealt with him as it deals with us when it comes upon us.
But the LORD was with HIM and he was with The LORD. The scripture tells us that The LORD is with those who are with HIM. Because the LORD was with him, Joseph excelled and always rode higher than his very many troubles. Many were the afflictions of Joseph but the LORD delivered him from them all. This scripture had not been written but it applied to Joseph and it applies to us. When you are righteous you will be afflicted, many times, but The LORD will deliver you. You too beloved, start making the best of all the terrible circumstances that surround you. The LORD is with you, if you are with HIM. Take a stand for righteousness and right. Who knows what The MOST HIGH is up to in your life and in your environment?
ii. His GOD given gift of dream interpretation. He was also a dreamer, prone to having dreams that annoyed even his beloved father, Jacob. Genesis 37:10. But his dreams came to pass and did not only materialize but what we call civilization owes Joseph and his dreams a lot. Our ancestors would all have starved to death. Genesis 45:7. Joseph, a man for a season and with a reason.
Beloved, GOD can use you too, starting from right where you are. Yes, in that seemingly dysfunctional family, GOD was already charting out an eternal destiny and a glorious epitaph for Joseph. Joseph just had to live it out faithfully. Joseph had to choose whether to obey The GOD of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob or do things his own style. We can infer that Jacob did speak about his beliefs to Joseph when Joseph was still young. So, Joseph knew the LORD. Parents, you do not know how long you have with that child, speak about The LORD with him or her. Train up a child, the way he should go and he will not depart from it. Isn’t it amazing how , these scriptures applied to Joseph and they were not yet even written. Now, for you they are written and recorded and available on your phone, yet you still refuse to believe and live like a hedonistic pagan fool. Arguing and mocking. There will be hell to pay.
On the issue of dreams, learn to discern your dreams, those which are to be shared and who to share them with. Nowadays, there are many dark forces interpreting dreams online. Make sure , if you are a child of God that you are sharing with true children of GOD, who will not link you to satan and his wicked , deceptive legions.
Also, believe it, whether you have dreams or not, GOD has a good plan for you especially in the midst of great adversity. Don’t give up. Don’t compromise. Stick to the clean, straight road no matter how difficult and treacherous it is.
iii. His amazing self control when it came to personal and sexual matters. No one said potiphars wife was ugly and undesirable. In fact to Joseph , his sexuality was GOD’s business. Genesis 39:9 “….how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against GOD..” This man is truly a legend. Young men and men in general take note. Do not be deceived, there is a link between sexual activity and greatness. The more responsible you are sexually the higher you are likely to go.
Stop crying! Yes, you with a highly polluted sexual record. The LORD, if you are willing, can clean you up and make you brand new. In my city, there is a river, that used to get so polluted the water foamed and became frothy and once, its fog almost blocked visibility on a major road. One man in charge of the environment at that time, tried to clean it with quite some success. If one man can do this , what can The blood of JESUS do. This Blood of JESUS washes white as snow. Come to HIM and let HIS living waters wash not only your body but also your soul. Ask the woman at the well.
Sexual activity has a way of reaching deep down into the innate soul of a person. That is why GOD in HIS infinite wisdom restricts indulgence in it. Ask any divorced couple, ask any person who breaks up with someone they had sex with. Deep down it eats them up and they are deceived that having sex with a different person will make you feel better. You will then understand part of why GOD hates divorce and why HE is hard on sexual sin. It destroys. And nowadays, people do not want to be pointed to genuine and true healing of the soul which comes from the Blood of JESUS. So we have many wounded people hurting but they refuse to come to the FOUNTAIN of Life that they may be forgiven, healed and made whole. Kindly, beloved , point and or refer people to JESUS, HE restores, heals and makes whole. This is true.
The LORD is merciful and HE makes all things new. HE can give and HE does give people clean slates to start over. Of course, it’s not free HIS SON our SAVIOUR paid for your sexual sins too , not so that you continue in them, no but rather to give you a new start. Have sex in line with GOD’s plan and purpose. Stick to sex with your legally married spouse who must be of a different sex from you, and keep your marriage bed undefiled. It can be inferred that Joseph only had sex after being given a wife. He did not die without sex and neither did he explode. Men take note.
iv. His discernment. Joseph was clever and wise enough not to endlessly cry over all the tragedies that befell him. He knew that it would do no good. If he ran away, they would deal with him mercilessly or he would die in the desert. Or whatever. So, he picked the only piece he had left, slavery, and worked with it. Let us stop flogging dead horses. Carry on with the task at hand. Jacob is in Canaan mourning for you, you are in Egypt, enjoy your slavery and prison, who knows , like Joseph you will end up in a palace either in this world or in the next. Didn’t our MASTER tell us HE is going to build as mansions. Those ones there are guaranteed to faithful servants like Joseph.
Beloved, I’m not saying it’s easy. Joseph probably cried hot tears wherever he slept but he learnt to suck it up and move on. Not everyone is worthy to see your tears. When the time is right, when you are in the palace, it will all come gushing out. Genesis 45:2. When you land in the arms of the FATHER, HE will wipe away all your tears, secret and open. It is hard but possible and doable, if there is such a word. Be patient, strong and courageous and yes holy like our FATHER is HOLY.
He was also able to tell or figure out a way to tell if his brothers hearts and attitude had changed.
v. His wisdom, patience, resilience and courage. The wisdom and courage to advice Pharaoh who thought himself as a god. The LORD was with Joseph. The scripture tells us that the fear of The LORD is the beginning of all wisdom. See how he dealt with the issue of his family migrating to Egypt and seeing to it that they got the best spot. See how he acted in order to draw out the current nature of his brother’s hearts. See how he took his time. See how he let GOD make all things beautiful in HIS time. His resilience in the midst of great trials and great ill treatment and great adversity. The hearts of many faint when the coffee machine breaks down and there is a problem with the delivery. Should there be a small fault anywhere, you will be admitted for shock therapy treatment. With this attitude, the antichrist and his armies will chew you and swallow you whole. Don’t be too comfortable in this world. It is passing. Onward, Christian soldier, live like a soldier if need be. Persevere , don’t faint.
vi. He never relaxed and kept his eyes on the covenant. Joseph did not forget about GOD just because he had hit the big league. He knew one day he would die, and leave it all behind, and he wanting to be buried back in Canaan, the Promised Land despite being a very great ruler. He made sure his bones also left Egypt . This man Joseph ran his race and fought the good fight.
vii. His ability to forgive and his attitude towards those who had harmed him. Legendary. What would you have done to your brothers and family? To Potiphars wife? To the traders who dragged him off to Egypt? Joseph forgave . not only did he forgive, he demonstrated this forgiveness by not harming his brothers when Jacob their father died. He took the Romans 8;28 attitude . That all things work for our good and all things have to pass the Hand of GOD before they reach us. Beloved, this was in way back before CHRIST (bC) and it applied before it was written. Truly in the beginning was the WORD.. Read John 1:1 for yourself.
In conclusion, the story of Joseph, apart from being a story we love to narrate to children and to each other and then marvel, applies to people who know their GOD and who will do exploits no matter the circumstances. All glory to YAHWEH.
Beloved, the scripture informs us, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Do you want to know JESUS as your personal Lord and Savior? Your eternity is at stake! JESUS has opened the door of salvation to every person. But there is coming a day when the door will be closed. Today is the day of salvation. Choose to be in the family of GOD. JESUS died so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. Don't delay! And if you want to begin a relationship with GOD or resume a broken one, say this: O GOD, I come to YOU today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS died on the cross to save me and HE resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR . I invite JESUS into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank YOU JESUS for saving me and making me a child of GOD. Amen
