Anything with pain has a lesson. James 1:2-4. God doesn't waste anything.
Life is lived in motion but can only be understood by looking back, which means trusting God's purposes even when things seem out of control.
2 Corinthians 5:7 goes against every element of self preservation so we can become more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
Joseph had dark days filled with difficult experiences. He became one of the first "over comers" in our history.
Overcoming Life's Challenges
Jacob took multiple wives and had children with both wives, and handmaidens. 12 children all vying for the a position with Jacob. He preferred his second wife, Rachel, and her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Lots of friction!
Joseph spied on older brothers, toted around his special coat of colors, and stoked the anger of his brothers. The conflict was rooted in the marriage, where the competition started. It was easy to elevate particular sons with love, praise or scorn. So, rejection and affection were manifest.
Joseph made three errors in judgment:
He was indiscriminate not recognizing family troubles
He was insensitive in not considering the impact of his actions on family
He was immature in not thinking of what his actions would cause.
A lack of discernment causes a lot of pain!
Am I using my position or am I allowing God to use me in it?
The Leader's Prayer
Lord, when I'm wrong, make me willing to change. When I'm right, make me easy to live with. Strengthen me that the power of my example will far exceed the authority of my rank.The root of bitterness is hate; the symptom of bitterness is sarcasm; and the result of bitterness is manipulation, using people instead of loving them. Matthew 5:21-22 and James 3:1-8
What happened? Reuben mourned for Joseph, brothers lied to their father but didn't escape their guilt. Reaping and sowing and the end result was Joseph being sold into slavery.
Overcoming Temptation
Trials often come on the heels of our greatest successes and can be perplexing, making life a little bit harder. The more success, the more temptation and the greater the possibility of a major fall.
Although Joseph was far from home in Egypt, God was very real and near. It's woven through Genesis 39 and had a dramatic effect on Potiphar. Joseph was not bitter, thus not enslaved to circumstances. He was content in the presence of God.
Joseph's convictions would help him when it came to Potiphar's wife, who saw his appearance as handsome. Convictions are birthed in the quiet times with God. He formed a battle plan and followed it when it would have been rather easy to use his position to give in to temptation.
Genesis 39:8-9 showed Joseph was concerned ethically about Potiphar and concerned spiritually about his relationship with God. Every offer of sensual pleasure has a price tag attached to it.
Genesis 39:10 shows Joseph had the right strategy by avoiding contact with Potiphar's wife. He was alert.
Genesis 39:12 shows Joseph had a way out, a way of escape. He ran as far as he could and left his precious possession behind, his coat. He did what many, including myself, didn't and couldn't do...Flee! Samson, David, Solomon, Me. Joseph kept his courage of his convictions and integrity intact. 2 Timothy 2:22. There was no flirting, arguing, reasoning with sin. He fled.
How?
Recognition you belong to God
Recognition of sin's effect on others
Recognition of sin is defiance against God
That wasn't the end. Potiphar's wife had revenge in mind for being rebuffed by Joseph's rejection. She lied to the men of Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:13-15), lied to Potiphar (Genesis 39:16-18) and Joseph was put into prison. All undeserved.
Joseph's response was amazing! Genesis 39:21, 23 shows God's blessing for Joseph completely trusting in Him.
Overcoming Disappointment
Joseph rose to a position of leadership, even in prison. God is in control and nothing happens by accident. Joseph ended up serving two disgraced members of Potiphar's house when they were put into prison. Divine appointments must be embraced and they're necessary. The author of this piece met his wife on a ministry event neither one was supposed to be apart of.
One of the great joys - and challenges - of life is to look expectantly for the hand of God in all of life's circumstances. In Joseph's case, the perfect plan of God involved a meeting with two disgraced officials and himself...in prison.
In spite of his own difficulty and hardship, he had become empathetic towards the men, in spite of his own situation. He didn't allow his relationship with God to be affected and he didn't allow his hurt to prevent him from displaying empathy toward others, even though he was humanly justified.
Don't become self absorbed and self centered. Energy wasted on self pity is foolish. Invest time in others. How's my response? LOL.
Joseph interpreted the dreams when not long before he was boasting to his brothers about his own dream. Three days after the interpretation, the dreams were fulfilled exactly as Joseph had said. Humility and godly character were needed because the officials didn't remember Joseph until two years later! Man had forgotten Joseph, but God did not.
Without patience there can be no maturity; without trials, delays and disappointments there will be no patience.
A man isn't a hero because he is braver than anyone else but because he is brave longer
Overcoming Success
Erwin Lutzer's book, "The Back Door to Success", describes how it takes years of failures and setbacks to become an "overnight success". Abraham Lincoln's failures before becoming president is one example to perseverance. Joseph's years being forgotten prepared him for the moment.
If we are troubled by spiritual things beyond our grasp, it's important we seek answers in the right place - God. Pharaoh was troubled and couldn't get answers for the turmoil in his heart. He needed to accept the authority of God's truth, just as we do, and when that is done, we will have answers for the things that trouble us.
Godly character is unaffected by the harsh circumstances of life. Joseph had dignity because he dressed appropriately to come before the king. He had humility and is summed up in this great quote:
No man can, at the same time, prove he is clever and Jesus Christ is mighty to saveJoseph also had strong faith in God and gave him the glory. God' investment in Joseph paid dividends. Because of Joseph's patience and trust in God, he was appointed to oversee the food supplies of all Egypt. So, the true qualities of a leader aren't just physical, but spiritual. Not just talent or skill, but character and our relationship with God. Internal, not external.
"Praise God for the hammer, the file, the furnace. For the hammer molds us, the file sharpens us, and the fire tempers us" - Samuel RutherfordFinally, Joseph can say in Genesis 50:20 because he trusted God completely.
Psalm 46:1-3
2 Corinthians 4:15-17
Hebrews 12:5-12
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