Joseph was an unknown boy in the Land of Canaan, a foreign land. He had a special feature though, which made his other brothers jealous of him. He was loved more than all of his brethren. He was his Father’s favorite.
Joseph’s brethren soon became so jealous of him, they were jealous of his special coat of many colors. They were enraged at his dreams of greatness. They sold Joseph to foreigners who then sold him to Portiphar, an officer of Pharoah and Captain of the guard.
Genesis 39:2,3 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man… and his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Joseph was in a strange place where he didn’t know anyone, but God’s grace on him made him a prosperous man in a strange place.
Joseph was put in charge of Potiphar’s house, he began to settle in Potiphar’s house when Potiphar’s wife began to make advances at him when Joseph refused, she lied against him and Joseph was sent to prison.
In Prison the grace of God was activated and Joseph though in prison was put in charge of the prisoners. It is obvious that Joseph was an honest man who has the fear of God, these qualities and the grace of God upon his life made him a prosperous man in prison.
People may think that integrity, honesty is not important in today’s world but it is, because these are desired qualities which has to be developed by an individual.
Joseph was in prison for two years though forgotten and unknown; he remained steadfast, humble. He continued to use his gifts and talents to help people. It’s easy to be helpful when you know you‘ll be rewarded for it, but if you’re helping and others are taking credit for it or blackmailing you, you won’t feel so excited or eager to help.
But not Joseph, Joseph was made better by his afflictions because he trusted in God, rather than feel bitter, he focused his energies on the task at hand and he became a very successful man.
One day, Pharoah had a dream. The dream troubled Pharoah so much that he sent for his magicians, astrologers but they were unable to give him the interpretation of his dream. Eventually someone who Joseph had helped remembered him. This was Joseph’s time after years of helping others in obscurity to show how wise, schorlarly and erudite he was…
Genesis 41:15
And Pharoah said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it
Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharoah, saying , It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Joseph gave glory to God, he told Pharoah that it was God who would give Pharoah the interpretation of his dreams, he knew that the interpretation of the dream would come from God, so he did not become proud because he knew that whatever power or ability he had was a gift from God.
This is what made the grace of God to increase on Joseph’s life.
Joseph interpreted the dream, he was automatically promoted from the pit to the Palace because he functioned at a level which was beyond any school or training he had gotten because of the grace of God on his life.
This is what made David to say ‘Psalm 119:98,99
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
The Word of God is able to make you wise, if you lack understanding, ask of God who gives freely .
But first, you need to give your life to Christ, and then he can give you the mind of Christ.
God used Joseph’s peculiar situation to make him a blessing not just to his family or to Israel but to the world. Joseph was able to render solution which saved a whole nation, and several countries from famine. Even though Joseph was sold by his brothers, God turned it around his situation for good.
What is that peculiar situation, problem, the enemies may seem so strong but God is stronger and if you can give that problem to God, he can turn it around for your good.
Glory to God!
