Lessons Learned from Joseph

For the past several weeks, we’ve been learning about the life of Joseph in our study of Genesis. Most people know the story – he was a favored son who was sold into slavery by his brothers and later saved the ancient world by interpreting a dream for Pharoah. Whether you have a relationship with Jesus or not, it’s a great read. Joseph's story begins in Genesis 37 as a teenage dreamer. There are many lessons to take from his life (Gen 37, Gen 39-48). We’ll only discuss five of them here and the first one we see happened when he was just 17. 

1. You can’t share your dreams with everyone, not even those closest to you (Prov 14:16 NLT). You have to pray and be discerning about who you can trust with where God is taking you. Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers and because he was already the favored child, they were jealous and wanted to kill him. Was he oblivious to their jealousy or was he rubbing their noses in his dreams? We’ll never know, but we do know that when it was convenient, their own insecurities and hatred led them to selling Joseph into slavery. Of course, God orchestrated it so Joseph ended up in Egypt, where He was taking him to be elevated in time. However, the brothers’ actions were selfish and lacked compassion. One way or another, God would have moved so that Joseph’s dreams came true, but God gives us all the right to choose the path we will take, and the one Joseph’s brothers took was a sinful one. 
2. Don’t complain – do the work. Instead of complaining about his plight and focusing on what he no longer had, Joseph focused on doing the work. He learned the language and developed his leadership skills. He learned to organize and keep things in order. While he was waiting for what God would do with his life, he was busy preparing. He didn’t try to elevate himself, He waited for God to elevate Him. 
3. There is power in forgiveness (Luke 6:27-37). Even though Joseph was separated from His family for more than twenty years (part of that time in prison), he forgave his brothers for selling Him. He was not bound by the betrayal of his brothers. He didn’t hold anger against Potiphar’s wife who lied on him. He was free, even when he was in bondage. Joseph went on to live a fruitful life in a foreign land and God prospered everything he touched. By not holding on to anger, Joseph was able to take hold of his actions and respond, not react, to the things that happened to him. 
4. A man’s gifts will make room for him and bring him before the great (Prov 18:16). Throughout Joseph’s life, his gifts of organization and his godly wisdom brought him into leadership roles. We see it with Potiphar, the jailer and finally, Pharoah. Joseph diligently and faithfully did the work for whatever position he filled using his gifts and doors were opened unto him. 
5. God is ultimately in control. Joseph knew this and that God’s hand was on His life. Whether in Potiphar’s house, the jail, or as second in command of Egypt, Joseph always remembered God was with him and had His hand on Joseph’s life. Joseph refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife because, it was a sin against God even in slavery. Joseph knew God was with Him even when he was wrongfully jailed. He understood that his abilities were God given abilities. While God doesn’t control our actions, He controls the outcomes. At every turn, Joseph was obedient and he was elevated even in captivity. 

Remember that no matter what is going on in your life or what situation you face, God is a promise keeper. Remember to wait on His timing and not to make it happen yourself as we saw with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It never works out well - there are always adverse consequences (some that will last for millennia). Our sin comes out of our choosing in our own knowledge and selfishness, and not following God’s leading. Let's learn the lessons and live a more fulfilling life.