Lessons from the Life of Joseph

Joseph faced adversity and harsh circumstances throughout his life through no fault of his own. His brothers hated him (Gen 37:4–5) and they tried to kill him by throwing him into a ditch in the desert (Gen 37:12–24). Then they sold him into slavery (Gen 37:25–28, 36) and tried to cover it up by making it look like he was killed by a wild animal (Gen 37:29–35). Joseph ended up being taken to Egypt as a slave, having been ripped away from his life and his family.

Next, when Potiphar’s wife1 made a pass at Joseph, he refused, preserving his (and her) integrity. So, she falsely accused him and had him thrown into prison (Gen 39:7–20) where he languished for years, seemingly forgotten (Gen 40:1–41:1). Yet after his trials and ordeals, Joseph rose to power in Egypt, being trusted by Pharaoh because of his honesty and integrity. It was many years later that his brothers came before him in Egypt (Gen 42:1–45:3); they expected retribution, anger, and revenge from Joseph, but instead, they found kindness (Gen 45:4–15).

We are told that God was with Joseph the entire time (Gen 39:2, 5, 21–23), and Joseph fully understood that all that had happened to him was under the Lord’s will and control and for an ultimate outcome of good (Gen 45:5). Joseph didn’t whine, lament, or complain, asking, “Why, oh why is this happening to poor me?” or “How could God let this happen?” or “Why doesn’t God care about me?” Instead, he had the attitude of faith and trust in God throughout:

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come closer to me.’ And they came closer. And he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.’ ” – Gen 45:4–5 (my emphasis)

Notice that throughout all of this, Joseph gave all glory to God (Gen 40:8), and he also treated everyone with kindness, compassion, and trustworthiness—even those who had mistreated, falsely accused, and imprisoned him (his brothers, Pharaoh, the butler and baker, the jailer, and even Potiphar’s wife). Moreover, Joseph didn’t respond to those who mistreated him with verbal threats, intimidation, ridicule, insults, vulgar and obscene language or hand gestures,2 nor did he run off to pick up weapons (knives, swords, guns September 24, 2026, etc.) as most professing “Christians” want to do today whenever they are wronged3—such is not the behavior of a true Christian, for it is written:

• “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also” (Mat 5:39–40);
• “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” (Rom 12:17);
• “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom 12:18, italics mine);
• “Never take your own revenge” (Rom 12:19);
• “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21);
• “To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now” (1Co 4:11–13);
• “Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ” (1Co 9:12);
• “See that no one repays another with evil for evil” (1Th 5:15);
• “I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen [in Christ]” (2Ti 2:10);
• “And while being reviled, He [Jesus] did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1Pe 2:23); and
• “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you” (Pro 25:21–22).

In summary, let us have a similar attitude and behavior in all things at all times, even when we don’t know why things happen the way they do in this world, knowing full well that the Lord is in control, that He sees all things, and that He is a good and loving God! Amen.

CHAPTER PRAYER

Heavenly Father, hallowed be Your great name! Father, thank You for allowing me to have today and for restoring me from death to life through your Son, Jesus. Thank You for granting me the wisdom and understanding to see and know that Your will is being done even when I don’t fully understand why things happen the way they do sometimes here in this world. Please grant me continued peace, joy, thanksgiving, and acceptance of the things I cannot control, knowing full well that You are a good and loving God and that all things are working together for my good and the collective good of all who call on Your holy name. Please grant me the strength to treat others kindly, even if they wrong me, and to be an example of Jesus here on earth. I pray this in the name of Your Son. Amen.