what challenges did joseph face in the bible?

He rehearsed the stories of God that had filled him with awe as a child. At various stages of his life, Joseph was a He was handsome. I am not, in general, a very patient person. He doesnt respond with bitterness, but continues to work with integrity. His timeline is different than mine. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see I have no idea what my being in an Egyptian prison has to do with your purposes. It had been 9 years since he last saw that dear face. We learn that Joseph is his fathers favorite, and his many brothers are already jealous of him. I think I read in the Student Bible that it had to more with being naive and undiscretionary when he was a 17 year old boy. Day after monotonous day passed with no sign of change. Was Father still alive? Principled- he had character and integrity. The story of Joseph stands in stark opposition to this. His name was Joseph, and his story is one of the most popular in the Bible. There are no steps. I dont even recognize myself from only 3 or 4 years ago. Hopefully, God will reveal to you the reason (or at least part of the reason) behind your suffering. She maintains a faith and lifestyle blog graceandgrowing.com, where she muses about the Lord, life, culture, and ministry. We may experience trials and tribulations for far longer than a few months, we might experience them for longer than Joseph did. Even when the Cupbearer promised to help Joseph escape, he completely forgot. Pharaoh was told the dream by Joseph. Josephs ability to let God take the lead is a beautiful and encouraging moment that we can learn from. In this article, well review the biblical story of Joseph and then discuss 5 strategies we can learn as servant leaders today from Josephs exemplary levels of patience. O Father. Proud member (Gen 39:2, 39:21) And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. He bragged to his brothers and parents about his prophetic dreams of power. After all those years, Joseph forgave his brothers for their wrong-doing, even though they initially approached him in fear rather than repentance. Joseph was given the knowledge and direction by God to do this challenging task: Due to this, Egypts population survived the famine buyers traveled from all over Joseph saw value in his life for others and he made himself a chance to stand up for Gods word when he was faced with temptation. Even though at times it feels impossible to believe, if I honestly think about it I know that God has been growing me tremendously. If you believe that the posting of any material infringes your copyright, be sure to contact us through the contact form and your material will be removed! He doesnt get it, doesnt trust my words, and cant understand why I would force him to take the medicine he hates. Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? He did the right thing, even when he could not see the purpose or the light at the end of the tunnel. If we study their lives in Sacred Scripture, Jesus, Mary and Joseph offer us three important steps. They were free from bondage and ready for a new life in a new land. We shall examine some applicable moral lessons from the story of Joseph in this post. However, this favour was short-lived. In the storms of life, in the darkest moments, cling to Gods promises, knowing His sovereign plan involves the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalm 23:4), but He is with His children. I am the oldest of seven children, and if I had a dream and told it to my family, no one wouldve hated me or sold me into slavery because of it. 0000011581 00000 n Patience and perseverance in the time of troubles. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. He was the first son born to Jacob through Rachel, and therefore, he was his fathers favorite He wisely feared Herods successor, Archelaus, who was likewise vicious and murderous. Imagine the imprint this made on this young man! He failed to recognize his familys problematic Learn about good storytelling and the over-arching narrative in the Bible with this free course. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the. 0000000016 00000 n Closing Thoughts On The Story Of Mary And Joseph. Joseph and His Brothers: The Stories of Jacob, Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt, Joseph the Provider. Even when personally There are two great themes in Josephs life which summarizes all five points well. Joseph Had Every Justification in The World For Not Continuing To Follow God, Yet He Chose Not To: Realizing that there isnt any justification that is acceptable for us to sin is what we need to do. Note: Pure, active, and joyous, the lad [Joseph] gave evidence also of moral earnestness and firmness. He was pacing in his soul. It can seem like living up to the life of Joseph is impossible, but God calls us all to different destinations. 0000014099 00000 n He continued working with integrity, but he had to wait for Gods timing to receive freedom. 5. You just surrender. Since his purpose was to prevent hunger in the known world at the time, God permitted Josephs suffering. You miss the chance to grow in godly character and to demonstrate to God that you are expanding your understanding of and relying on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the instant you succumb to temptation based on lame reasons. Nehemiah was an incredible leader, and this free study explored his story and 15 leadership principles from his life. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly. Which god is the father of Jesus? God will add, taken away or praise, fame taken away. He has revealed this plan to us in His Word, and He expects us to take it as our guide in all things, great and small. He didnt ignore his fears, he faced them by understanding there are two parts: Gods part and our part. Every single instance was an emotional fight. I plan to put it into practice. His brothers' envy of his father's favor turned homicidal when he inferred that he had God's favor as well. There are several denominations in Catholicism: Catholics, Uniates, Armenian Gregorians, Greek Catholics, Roman Catholic Churches, adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as other Protestant communities that are not part of the church. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. The famine will consume the land. He is to search for and find Gods plan.. We do know for sure that he was not perfect he was a sinner like me and you and everyone else. Relying on the Lord for council and wisdom will always be the best place to start preparing for the future. Benjamin was born just as Josephs mother passed away. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). When he was reunited with his brothers, he could say sincerely, And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve lifeAnd God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. He attracted Potiphars wifes attention by being young and attractive, and she attempted to seduce him. How did Perfecto get his name under the feet of Jesus? Finally, things seem to be turning around. We have no idea how long Joseph labored for Potiphar as these events began to unfold. Victoria: Global Book Publishing, 2006. When the famine finally hits, Egypt is well-stocked with food. In ancient Rome, the magpie was associated with magic and fortune telling. endstream endobj 126 0 obj<. WebJoseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Relate the history concerning Jacob and Rachels first son. All rights reserved, Lessons From The Story Of Joseph You Should Learn: Top 7. 1. 0000037023 00000 n What challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? The power would have risen to his head rather quickly, and he could not have led the way that people needed him to lead. Word/name. Bring your word to pass as it seems best to you. 0000036829 00000 n We may never understand the work He is doing in our heart or recognize what He is preparing us for. How many businesses or churches have failed because they pursued rapid growth when steady growth would have been better? Leaping up, he brushed himself off. But never once does it say anything about Joseph having to lose pride before he could be a proper leader. 0000022496 00000 n We appear to be able to instantaneously obtain our desired outcomes with simply the click of a button. But I will keep honoring you here where you have placed me. Your email address will not be published. When Joseph arrived, they were not there. Most people know that Joseph was well-loved by his father Jacob, as evidenced by the gift of the many colored-coat. 0000022824 00000 n Sometimes he wants to teach us something, and some lessons take time. He did a great job and rose to the top position in each setting, but no one was going to let him out. In regards to Joseph, here are some leadership qualities I admire in him: Joseph first demonstrated his other gifts of organization and management as a young man of seventeen, when he was tending his fathers flocks. To most it would seem an absurd notionbut not to Job. And then you sit tight.. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. It wasnt the only document that did so. I have studied the life of Joseph extensively. Jon Bloom serves as teacher and cofounder of Desiring God. Dont give up on God. Perhaps I see pride in him because I see it in myself and Ive seen countless others deal with it. Of all his twelve sons, Jacob favored Joseph because he was the son of his old age (Gen. 37:3). At the first signs of trials or tribulation, I say to God something like, alright God, if there is a lesson I need to learn lets do it as quickly as possible so we can move on. He could have just had fun for a few years. Mindfulness to Gods presence and activity in our lives is marker of Gods people. 0000013379 00000 n Instead of murdering him, however, they sold him into slavery. For Joseph, even though it looked like horrible things were happening in his life, the challenges were a training ground to get where God wanted him to be ! She accuses Joseph of sexual assault, and so Joseph gets thrown in jail. They have some troubling dreams, and Joseph interprets them perfectly. Copyright 2023 Bscholarly LLC. WebAnswer (1 of 16): Israel was a stubborn and rebellious people and there are a lot of examples of that but for time sake I would like to add this thought to the others: EXO 18:13 The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. Also see: Best Books Every Woman Should Read. Patience is hard, but its great to hear that you can see God at work over time! Though we may have our plans in place, it is important to keep our hearts open to where God may tell us to take a turn and do something different. Just as with Mary and Joseph, troubles and trials in life are tools in the hand of God to mold us and shape us and make us into something beyond our imagination. 0000021033 00000 n Later, after Pharaoh had a puzzling dream, his servant instructed him to call for Joseph. 0000010730 00000 n Im beginning to realize, however, that this is not how God usually works. He was the favored son of his fathers favorite wife, Rachel. By using the lessons from Josephs life, we may overcome the obstacles in our own lives. Acknowledging our guilt; resting in His grace. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Josephs charge, becausethe. Ive been struggling with having patience and often this has manifested in anger toward God. WebGod was with him and prospered Joseph in everything he did. A shiver ran down his spine. There he and Mary raised their family. WebWhat challenges did Joseph face in the Bible? The feminine form of the name Joseph, which is taken from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning (YHWH) shall grow.. Joseph is finally freed from prison at age thirty, or thirteen years after being sold as a slave. Though eventually Joseph rose to power, wealth, and prominence, he experienced many dark days. Even Joseph is listed as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11. 0000010258 00000 n The conclusion of this tale is that God is aware of every aspect of our life and that He never deserts those who are waiting for Him. With this in mind, it shouldnt come as a surprise to acquire several lessons and guidelines from Josephs life. In fairness, he was seventeen and most teenagers think the world of themselves. After a few more journeys to Egypt, bringing with them the youngest brother Benjamin at Josephs request, he revealed himself, and extended forgiveness to them. This is the lesson I keep learning over and over again. Sometimes faithfulness to God and his word sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. After their father dies, Josephs brothers begin to worry again that Joseph will now take vengeance upon them. Rather than return to his father and tell Jacob his brothers were derelict in their duties, Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan (Genesis 37:17b). Day 1: The Grumbling Begins. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures. It may have taken decades, but he was able to see why God put him through so many trials and tribulations. I can wait. Once again, these dreams are concerned with food, sustenance, and the earth: By interpreting this dream correctly, Joseph averts a famine and saves the people. And I would argue that Joseph had a lot of growing to do. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Joseph is a perfect example whatever age he was at the time he refused the advance (s) of Pharaohs wife saying how can I do this ungodly thing before GOD, paraphrasing and fled.m. Lesson 1: Josephs story shows God can work with young people. Who are the main characters in the story of Joseph? You and I are not likely to have gone through what Joseph did at this time. Web5.5K views, 279 likes, 250 loves, 655 comments, 255 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Joseph Z: A TERRIFYING END FOR THE WICKEDAnd YOUR GLORIOUS FUTURE! ! Joseph understood the lesson fleshed out in his own fathers experienceGod is real! Joseph shows how to glorify God in the dark places, and how to credit Him for carrying His followers through those places. 0000002224 00000 n Despite being betrayed by his brothers and ending up a slave in a foreign country, things seem to finally be turning positive for Joseph. Joseph is now forty years old and practically a king, and its been twenty-three years since they sent him away as a slave. 0000002079 00000 n So do not fear;I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. He shook out the mat. Well, sometimes God wants us to sit in something. As a group they sell Joseph into slavery, but as individuals they deal with the following years and how they can make amends. I have much for which to be thankful! He put in every city the food from the fields around it. The pharaoh calls for Joseph, who once again interprets the dream with wisdom. There was no water to drink. God used time to create space for forgiveness among the sons of Jacob and also to open their father Jacobs own heart. Knowing this made the other brothers hate Joseph. How can you put others first when you think so highly of yourself? Trusting the Lord was with him, Joseph stewarded the gifts, opportunities, and assets God gave him with excellence and faithfulness. Genesis chapters 37-41 only tell the low and high points of Joseph's Egyptian slavery and imprisonment. Hello. He brought his whole family to be closer to him, and was finally reunited with his father once again. I also 100% agree on this telling his brothers about the dream did not justify their actions at all. Joseph obeyed God and was thrown in jail for it. In another dream, which Joseph faithfully recounted, the sun (representing his father), moon (his mother) and eleven stars (no guesses here), all bowed to him. When was the Bible put together as one book? Thats it! Yet God was faithful to his word and eventually delivered Jacob and brought him back to the Promised Land a wealthy man. They worked together to get rid of Joseph. She was aggressive, with the Bible asserting in Genesis 39:10, she spoke to Joseph day after day.. Mann, Thomas. Not only do they survive the famine, but theyre able to provide for non-Egyptians who need help. One way to resist tempting situations is to do all we can to avoid those situations. Great! Despite all these trials, he kept his faith. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. While most people will not be the leaders of great countries or mighty empires, Joseph walked with the Lord, and his character - the virtues he lived by - are attainable for the believer who walks with the Lord. And then there were those strange dreams. Now that Ive waited for five minutes, what do I do next? Step 1: Seek Gods Will in All Things. The other important theme and lesson is that The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2a), and of course He is with all His children, even today. %PDF-1.5 % I felt like I was asking for bread and He was handing me snakes. He was the first son born to Jacob through Rachel, and therefore, he was his fathers favorite son. Doing what is right in Gods eyes, rather than mans ways, is always the right thing, even if there are negative ramifications. God tested Jobs faith and refined his character. I am studying it even more now. I take great comfort knowing that in my situation, God will help me in my new job, and that he will give me grace and strength to deal with the things of the past. Joseph exemplified authentic leadership in practice and through years of life-changing hardship. Our current circumstances, however dismal or successful, are not our story's end. In verse 19 we see that Joseph was a good man and was going to break off the engagement quietly and not put Mary to shame. The Eleven Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Napthali, Isaacher, Asher, Dan Zebulun Gad, Benjamin, Judahalthough acting usually as a grouphave their own different personalities, talents, and flaw. Yet in many other places in the Bible, God shows that pride goes before destruction! At one point, a light bulb went off in my head: I am genuinely trying to do what is best for my son. Jacob knew that his sons did not like Joseph but had no idea just how much they detested him. Joseph hated spiders. Joseph wanted to scream. In her book, I Give Up, Laura Story shares this exchange with a Pastor named Bill. We need to demonstrate that we can lead well with small things before we can lead with big things. How did Joseph reveals himself to his brother? Joseph became the overseer of a vast amount of grain that would deliver Egypt and many other people from a future famine. 0000011447 00000 n And God had promised Grandmother Rebekah that her older twin, Uncle Esau, would serve the younger twin, Father Jacob. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. Joseph was thereafter sold into slavery in Egypt. At Potiphars house, Joseph would have been terribly missing his family, his friends, his home and he would have been very hurt because of what his half-brothers did to him just recently. However, this was not his heart. 1. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance,like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. His brothers would love this if they knew. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. WebJoseph's story covers 20 chapters, and in that considerable space Joseph receives less criticism and more praise than any of the other patriarchs, and probably than any other non-divine being in the Bible. A tree that grows quickly without good roots will fall. Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come close to me. When they had done so, he said, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Joseph was the firstborn child of Rachel, who was Jacobs genuine love and one of his four wives. Image: Alinari/Art Resource, NY. And as he sought to trust and obey God during that terribly lonely, desolate time, things went from bad to worse.

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