From Servant to Ruler

“Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5, scriptures from NASB, unless otherwise noted).

— Ernie Kuenzli

Joseph was a remarkable individual, being a picture of Jesus and an example worthy of emulation by the followers of Christ. The scriptures do not tell us precisely how Joseph’s stellar character was developed, only how it was manifested in the various experiences he faced.

We may reason that as Jacob’s son, he spent time listening to his father’s stories of his experiences with God and God’s dealings with Joseph’s grandfather, Isaac, and great‑grandfather, Abraham. These stories, including Jacob’s dream of the ladder leading to heaven, God’s leading of Jacob to and from Paddan‑Aram, and His overruling of Jacob’s many experiences, would have instilled in Joseph the image of a character pleasing to God.

Joseph was the first son of Jacob’s favored wife, Rachel. He demonstrated his integrity at an early age — just 17 — when he “reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing” (Genesis 37:2 NLT). Additionally, “Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms” (Genesis 37:3‑4).

Joseph’s honesty and Jacob’s favoritism of him put Joseph in a difficult position concerning his brothers. The lesson is that partiality or favoritism based on the flesh is a sin and creates problems (James 2:1‑4, 9). Nevertheless, God knew how this dynamic would accomplish His plans to make Abraham’s earthly seed a great nation.

Joseph’s Dreams

Joseph’s brethren did not speak kindly to him. Nevertheless, “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. … ‘for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.’ Then his brothers said to him, ‘Are you actually going to reign over us?’ ” (Genesis 37:5, 7, 8).

From a family standpoint, it was unwise for Joseph to have shared this dream because he should have anticipated the animosity it would raise. Perhaps he was young and a bit naive. His brothers interpreted the dream correctly, and they hated him even more. Still, the dream was one of God’s promises that gave him the strength to endure the difficulties while on his own in Egypt.

“Now he [Joseph] had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said … ‘behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.’ … his father rebuked him and said to him … ‘Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?’ His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind” (Genesis 37:9‑11). God repeated the dream of Joseph’s eventual exaltation to sustain him while in Egypt. Telling the family about it earned Joseph his father’s rebuke, while his brothers’ jealousy increased even more.

When individuals are favored by the Lord, selfishness or jealousy may creep into the heart, as it did to Joseph’s brothers. Ultimately, the brothers were saved by his exaltation, and he would reign over them, but this would not be evident for many years. We should learn from Jacob’s experience: (1) do not flaunt our blessings to stimulate jealousy in others, and (2) when others are favored, do not react with jealousy, but instead, rejoice in their good favor. It will develop our character toward righteousness and will ultimately bless us.

“Then he [Jacob] said to him [Joseph], ‘Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me’” (Genesis 37:14). This action by Jacob put Joseph in great danger. This entire relationship dynamic between Jacob, his sons, and Joseph reminds us of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” To an extent, Jacob’s favoritism provoked ten of his sons against Joseph, and then Jacob put Joseph at their mercy. The follower of Jesus should be a more astute parent.

“When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; and they took him and threw him into the pit” (Genesis 37:23‑24). Joseph now experienced the full fury of his brothers without his father’s protection.

Nevertheless, God overruled Joseph’s future through two of his brothers. “But Reuben heard this and rescued him [Joseph] out of their hands and said, ‘Let us not take his life.’ Reuben further said to them, ‘Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him’‑that he [Reuben] might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father” (Genesis 37:21‑22). Reuben wanted to save Joseph’s life and return him to their father Jacob, but God had other plans for Joseph. Nevertheless, Reuben helped save Joseph’s life.

Joseph Sold

Next, “Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers listened to him” (Genesis 37:26‑27). This put Joseph on the road to Egypt, where God wanted him to be, to save the family. Selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites, who were descendants of Hagar, is an apt illustration of how natural Israel would be responsible for the death of Joseph’s anti‑type, Jesus.

In this experience, Joseph was truly frightened. Later, his brothers remembered how scared he was. “Then they [Joseph’s brothers] said to one another, ‘Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen’” (Genesis 42:21). Similar hard experiences are needed to prepare Christ and his followers for their role to bless all the families of the earth. “We must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Like Joseph, we may be scared, but if we do not lose our faith in God’s lovingkindness and promises, we will triumph by the experience.

“Now … an Egyptian officer [Potiphar] of Pharaoh … bought him [Joseph] from the Ishmaelites … Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and … and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge” (Genesis 39:1, 3‑4). Because God caused Joseph to prosper, Joseph’s master, Potiphar, put all his affairs in Joseph’s care and was likewise blessed. Still, Joseph maintained his integrity. He did not take advantage of God’s prosperity selfishly nor succumb to the temptations of wealth. This reminds us of Jesus humbling himself to be made flesh to offer his perfect human life as a ransom for Adam (1 Timothy 2:5,6). Additionally, it reminds us of the first temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness, to use his power to turn the stones into bread to satisfy his hunger (Matthew 4:3,4). Similarly, God’s blessings are given to us for our spiritual gain. We must resist the temptation to use them selfishly or for temporal advantage.

Joseph Accused

Joseph’s prosperity attracted the attention of Potiphar’s wife. “It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me. But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold … he [Potiphar] has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?’” (Genesis 39:7‑9).

Joseph attributed the prosperity and position he enjoyed to God. How could he take advantage of it selfishly by sinning against God and Potiphar, his master? Joseph’s integrity held fast despite her continuing to entice Joseph, hoping to wear him down (Genesis 39:10). This reminds us of the importance of Paul’s exhortation, “Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong” (Hebrews 12:13 NLT).

Finally, Potiphar’s wife caught Joseph while the other men were outside and sought to force Joseph to lie with her. Instead, Joseph ran away. Rejected by Joseph, she accused him of assault before the household and then, her husband. “‘The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.’ Now when his master heard the words of his wife … ‘This is what your slave did to me,’ his anger burned’” (Genesis 39:17‑19).

She blamed Potiphar for this situation, angering him and forcing him to punish Joseph for the supposed transgression. Potiphar had Joseph cast into prison, suggesting that he perhaps doubted the accusation. While Joseph was blameless, he was further humbled in prison, reminding us of our Lord’s humbling himself unto the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).

Nevertheless, Joseph did not lose his faith in God or His promises. The Lord continued to be with Joseph, giving him favor in the sight of the jailer. “The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it … and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper” (Genesis 39:21‑23).

Joseph humbly accepted this setback, and as a result, God prospered what Joseph did, and he received authority under the jailer. “After these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt … So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the jail, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned. The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them” (Genesis 40:1, 2‑4).

Now, God set in motion the events that would put Joseph in a position to save his family. God gave Pharoah’s cupbearer and baker dreams that described their future fate. Noticing that they were dejected, Joseph inquired and then interpreted their dreams. This reveals another aspect of Joseph’s character: his concern for others less fortunate than himself. It reminds us of Jesus’ care for mankind, which he took upon himself. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities … and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4‑5 KJV). Likewise, we should be on the alert to help and encourage those less fortunate than ourselves. “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).

Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him to Pharoah when he returned to his former position. In making this request, Joseph did not rail against his brothers, Potiphar, or even Potiphar’s wife. “For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon” (Genesis 40:15). Joseph did not succumb to the sin of evil speaking. Joseph recognized that God’s overruling providences were responsible for his being in Egypt, and he was still looking for God’s promises to him to be fulfilled.

A Lesson for Us

Joseph serves as an excellent example for us. When we suffer setbacks, it is so easy to fall into the sin of evil speaking. Bro. Russell comments on the attitude we should have in the December 13th Manna comment: “If we accept the results of any matter as being good, and if we realized that we were guided to those results by divine providence, we should think and feel most generously, most kindly, toward those who were the instruments used by providence, notwithstanding the fact that they might have been unwilling instructors, or, like Joseph’s brethren, have verily intended opposite results.”

Nevertheless, it was not yet time for Joseph’s release. The cupbearer forgot Joseph’s request, and it was two more years before Joseph was remembered to Pharaoh. During this time, Joseph persevered and remained faithful to God (See the January 4th Manna comment). When it was finally time for Joseph to be released from prison, God caused Pharoah to have two dreams showing that Egypt and the surrounding area would enjoy seven years of plenty followed by seven years of intense famine. When none of the wise men of Egypt could interpret the dreams, the cupbearer remembered what Joseph had done for him and made Pharoah aware of it (Genesis 41:1‑13).

“Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream … and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer’” (Genesis 41:14‑16). Thrust into the spotlight, Joseph demonstrated his humility by giving God the credit for the interpretation of all dreams. This reminds us of Jesus’ great humility despite being the son of God. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone’” (Luke 18:19).

Pharoah repeated his dreams to Joseph (Genesis 41:17‑24). “Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do … Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; and after them seven years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will ravage the land … Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt’” (Genesis 41:25,29,30,33).

God gave Joseph an instant understanding of the dreams. Both dreams revealed what God was about to do‑seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph did not know that, in God’s providence, the years of famine would ultimately bring his family to Egypt, seeking food, and ultimately, they would be reunited with him. Joseph closed his interpretation with what God wanted to occur. “Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land … Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food … Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine” (Genesis 41:34‑36).

Stimulated by the power of the dreams, the sureness of the interpretation, and the suggestion to appoint an overseer to save excess grain from the good years, Pharoah elevated Joseph to his right hand and made him chief overseer. We see Joseph’s humility in not suggesting himself for the overseeing role. “Then Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?’ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you’ ”(Genesis 41:38‑40).

Joseph’s possession of a “divine spirit,” coupled with God informing Joseph of His plan, made Joseph the obvious choice to Pharoah to be the overseer. God’s spirit was in Joseph, making him a ready and able tool in God’s hand. This is a beautiful illustration of Jesus, possessed God’s spirit without measure (John 3:34) and “how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Like Joseph and our Lord, we must become filled with God’s spirit (Ephesians 5:18) so that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28).

Joseph’s Brothers

After the famine had begun, Joseph’s brethren came to Egypt to purchase food, where they unknowingly encountered Joseph. Joseph dealt with them to see if their hearts had been softened since selling him into slavery. Joseph finally revealed himself unto them. “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 … God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:4, 5, 7).

Joseph sought neither revenge nor retribution against them or their families for their transgression against him. He recognized and accepted that God had put him in this position, and Joseph responded according to God’s spirit. This so beautifully foreshadowed our Lord’s earthly mission to give his perfect human life as a ransom for Adam so that Israel and mankind can receive a great deliverance.

Joseph’s faith, integrity, humility, and obedience so beautifully pictured the character of our Lord Jesus that would enable him to become the last Adam, a life‑giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). May we emulate Joseph’s character to the best of our ability, so that we too can share with our risen Lord in providing this great deliverance to the entire human family.