Joseph: Prepared by God (Part 1)

The account of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37-50 finishes out the first book of the Bible. Joseph’s story of family conflict, suffering, and injustice as well as forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing is often used to illustrate the popular principle of Genesis 50:20, that what man intends for evil God can use for good.

Though true, there’s much more to these chapters, from how Joseph responded to different temptations to how he remained steadfast, single-focused, and submissive to God’s overall purpose and plan.

Joseph’s story opens in Genesis 37 in the fertile land of Canaan. His father, Jacob, would have been wealthy with flocks and herds (Gen. 33, 45), and the family, as shepherds, would have been invested in the agricultural economy of the day. Joseph is actually first identified at seventeen as tending the flocks with his brothers (Gen. 37:2).

Genesis 37 offers a glimpse into the events of Joseph’s early life and explains how Jacob loved him more than any other son, because he had been born in Jacob’s old age. Doubtless such favoritism came also from the fact that Joseph’s mother, Rachel, was also Jacob’s favorite wife (Gen. 29:30).

While Joseph did tend the flocks with his brothers, he also enjoyed a position of responsibility. At least twice he was sent by Jacob to inquire after his brothers and “bring word back” to him (Gen. 27:14). At one point, Jacob gives his son a richly ornamented robe, a symbol of his affection, and whether out of naivety or arrogance, Joseph begins interpreting dreams that foretell his being exalted above them. Talk about building relationships.

One day Joseph was sent to find his brothers. They stripped him of his robe, threw him into an empty cistern, and sold him to Ishmaelites headed for Egypt (Gen. 37:25). They then took Joseph’s cloak, dipped it in the blood of a goat, and deceived their father into thinking that Joseph had been killed by a ferocious animal. Jacob mourned for his lost son and refused to be comforted, unaware of the irony that as he deceived his father, so his sons, with a slain goat, deceive him (Gen. 27).

Not unlike the twenty-first century, Joseph lived in what could be considered a globalized world, involving international trade and business. This becomes relevant in Joseph’s story when his brothers sell him into slavery and cruel bondage in a foreign country and pagan culture. Ironically, it is this internationalism—of which Joseph was a victim—that brings his brothers to Egypt, reuniting the family of Israel and bringing salvation to the world (Gen. 41:57).

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials and the captain of the guard (Gen. 37:36). And God was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did. His diligence and commitment caused God to bless not only Joseph but also his master, and in Genesis 39, we read that God blessed the house of Potiphar, who entrusted everything he owned to Joseph’s care.

Potiphar’s wife soon took notice of Joseph, but despite her advances, he refused to have anything to do with her. He answered by explaining his great responsibility and duty to his master as well as his fear of God. He did not measure the moral rightness of the act by its consequences (such as whether they would be discovered) but by God’s absolute moral standard.

Potiphar’s wife approached him repeatedly, but Joseph refused to even be with her. He was faithful to his master and kept his connection to God. The brief interruption of Genesis 38 mirrors how Tamar, like Joseph, was a helpless victim of injustice. Yet Joseph displayed long-term resolve against temptation, which in the position of authority as vizier over Egypt would be vital.

Joseph’s conscientiousness, honorable work ethic, and unwavering moral conviction, though noble, led him to be falsely accused and unjustly punished. Yet even in prison God was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put Joseph in charge. Like Potiphar, the warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with him, gave him success, and blessed the work of his hands (Gen. 39:21-23).

While in prison, he interpreted two dreams, one from a cupbearer and one from a baker. Joseph recognized that interpretations belonged to God alone but still asked them to explain their dreams, ministering to others even amid his discouragement and suffering.

After the cupbearer retold his dream, Joseph declared that Pharaoh would “lift up” his head and restore him to his position (Gen. 40:13). He pleaded with the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh, for he had done nothing to deserve being put in a “dungeon” (v. 15). (Interestingly, this is the same word used for “cistern” in Genesis 37:24, tying Joseph’s present condition in prison to his earlier experience as a victim of his brothers’ hatred and malice.)

Next came the dream of the baker. Seeing that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, the baker explained his dream. Yet Joseph answered that in three days, far from restoring him, Pharaoh would lift “off” his head (Gen. 40:19).

Both of Joseph’s interpretations came true. The cupbearer was restored to his position but failed to remember Joseph. This continued the theme in the narrative that despite Joseph’s best efforts, he was rejected. God’s timing had not yet come, and He alone would receive the credit for that which Joseph would become.