Recently, I was given the opportunity to teach the elementary age children in our church. This month’s lesson was on the life of Joseph.  Every person who grows up in the church knows about Joseph.  The Bible says Joseph was favored by his father because he was born to him in his old age.  We know from the story that his brothers were jealous of the attention that their father gave to their younger brother.  This jealousy grew to a point that led to the events where I want to begin.  In this blog it would be difficult to put all the text in to demonstrate where I am going but I will put a few verses in to show you what God gave me as I studied. I encourage you to read Genesis Chapters 37 through 50 to learn more about Joseph’s incredible life.

The story begins with Joseph’s dreams.  In two separate dreams Joseph saw his father, mother and eleven brothers symbolically bowing down before him.Joseph knew the dreams came from the Lord, and in his excitement shared them with his family. This caused his father irritation and his brothers to hate him more.

God gave Joseph an amazing vision of where he was going to take him.  Joseph did not know at the time he was chosen by God to save the nation of Israel.  In order to do this, Joseph would be raised up to be a leader in the most powerful nation in the world, at that time.   His family did not understand the dreams or their purpose.  His father knew deep in his heart that these dreams were significant but he did not completely understand what God was doing in his son’s life.

We know how the story unfolds at this point.  Joseph’s brothers were so angry with him that they plotted to kill him but ended up selling him into slavery to a man named Potiphar.   Joseph could have become discouraged and angry but instead he continued to work hard and with integrity.  The scriptures tell us—

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. (Genesis 39:2) 

The key word here is Joseph “served.”  It says “The Lord was with him, so he succeeded as he served.”  Joseph worked as unto the Lord and favor was the result.

We know what happens next, Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph and she tried to get him to dishonor his master.  Joseph refused because of his honor for God— “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.  No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” Genesis 39:8-9) 

Potiphar’s wife was so angry she lied to her husband and claimed Joseph attacked her.  As a result, Joseph was thrown into prison.  Again, we see Joseph’s response was to honor God in spite of the consequences.  Now it really looked like Joseph’s dream was not going to come to pass.  Let’s see how Joseph responded— 

But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.  Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.  The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. (Genesis 39:21-23) 

In the midst of the hard place Joseph faced, God showed him His “faithful love.”  Here is the key to Joseph’s promotion, “The Warden had no worries, because Joseph took care of everything. 

In each trial that Joseph faced, it says the Lord was with Him, but that alone was not enough to bring promotion into his life.  Joseph had to respond!  In these three major events Joseph acted honorably in spite of his circumstances.   He did the right thing and served each place as if he was serving the Lord.  As a result of Joseph’s obedience, the power of God was able to bring the fullness of God’s dream into his life.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.  Then you will find favor with both God and people,  and you will earn a good reputation. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

What was in Joseph that gave him the ability to stand strong in the middle of all the trials he faced?  The promise of God!  Joseph knew in his heart that God had given him the vision of where he was going.  He trusted that God was faithful to His promises.  This confident trust empowered him to display character and obedience to God in the middle of the hardest trials.  This lead to the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream.  He became the second highest in command in Egypt and was the instrument God used to save His people.

Today, I want to encourage you!  Has God given you a dream?  It may not look like it will come to pass but if you will respond like Joseph, you will see the fulfillment of what God has promised you!  God is eternally faithful and He loves you.  His favor is on you.  Respond to Him by living your life with integrity and you will see your dream come to pass—“So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! (Hebrews 10:23 TPT)

As always William and I love you.   Remember God loves you and He will not fail you!