CHARACTER STUDY SERIES…
Joseph, Ruler of Egypt

Presented by Lucas Griffin July 4, 2018

KEY VERSES

• Genesis 41.38 – So Pharaoh asked his officials, ‘Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?’ (NLT)
• Genesis 50.20 – You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (NLT)

CHARACTER OF JOSEPH

HARDWORKING / DILIGENT

• Gen 37.1 – as a boy of 17, we see him working the sheep with his brothers
• Gen 39.2-4 – He worked hard in Potiphar’s house, the Lord was with him, the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand
• Gen 39.23 – The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”
• Gen 41.57 – all the countries came into Egypt go Joseph to buy corn. It would have been busy times to negotiate deals with each party that came.
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men. Colossians 3.23 
  • Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15.58, NIV)

INTEGRITY

• Gen 37.2 – Joseph brought an evil report about his brothers
• Gen 39.8 – But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold my master has committed all that he has to my hand, there is none greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.
• Gen 39 – Joseph was faithful in Potiphar’s house and in prison, where he didn’t deserve to be
• Gen 40 – he gave the proper meanings of BOTH dreams to the baker and butler in prison, even though the interpretation for baker was not good news
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. (1 Chronicles 29.17, NLT).
  • Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. (Psalm 119.1)

 POSITIVE ATTITUDE

• Gen 39 – As a slave, he worked hard and sought the best outcome for his master
• Gen 39-40 – As a prisoner, he helped where he could. Gen 39.23 “The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand.”
• Gen 40-50 – As Lord of Egypt, he cared for the people of Egypt and provided fairly for them.
• Joseph stayed close to the Lord and was always ready to point people to his God. He had no preparation time with the butler’s and baker’s dreams in prison.  He had less time to prepare when commanded to speak with Pharaoh.  We need to stay close to the Lord, and “be ready to give an answer of the hope that lies within us.”
• Joseph never complained. “His positive response transformed each setback into a step forward.  He didn’t spend much time asking why.” (Life Application Study Bible)
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess 5.16-18)
  • Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4.8)

GODLY / MAN OF FAITH

• Joseph trusted his God, and the God of his fathers through EVERYTHING
• Gen 39.2 – The Lord was with Joseph (repeated over and over throughout the Joseph story)
• Gen 39.9 – How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?
• Gen 41.16 – And Joseph answered “It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
• Gen 41.38 – Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?
• Do our friends, neighbors, relatives, and coworkers see this in me? “Those who met Joseph were aware that wherever he went, and whatever he did, God was with him.” (Life Application)
• Gen 42.18 – Joseph said… “This do, and live; for I fear God (Elohim, the Hebrew God)
• Gen 43.23 – Perhaps Joseph had shared his God with his household. His steward said “Peace be to you, fear not; your God (Elohim) and God (Elohim) of your father, hath given you treasure.”
• Gen 45.5,8 – God sent me before you to preserve life, it was not you that sent me, but God
• Gen 50.20 – You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.
• Joseph pointed everyone to God even when he could have taken credit and glory.
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal 5.16)
  • Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5.16)
  • Without faith it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11.6)

PERSEVERANCE

• Joseph is an excellent example to follow when facing life’s disappointments
• Joseph never felt sorry for himself, he never blamed others
• Joseph took each situation as it came and made the best of it
• Joseph did not wait for his circumstances to change. He served God in his circumstances.
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6.9)
  • Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrew 12.1-2)

 HUMILITY

• Gen 39.8 – “Behold my master…” Though successful, he submitted to Potiphar, his master.
• Gen 40.4 – And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them.
• Gen 41.16 – It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace
• It is this humility that made it possible for the Lord to entrust Joseph with tremendous responsibility without fear that it would corrupt him.
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2.3-11)
  • Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you (1 Peter 5.5-6)

WISDOM

• Gen 37 – Joseph’s coat signified that he was earmarked to be the heir of the family business. As such, Jacob would have invested more in his education and business training than his brothers.
• Gen 39 – He proved his wisdom in the house of Potiphar
• Gen 41.39 – “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God has showed you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you.”
• Joseph’s plan for the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine was God-inspired, but was so full of wisdom
• Gen 43-45 – It was very wise of Joseph to remain “hidden in plain sight”, in order to test his brother’s motives & attitudes the way that he did. He wanted to know that they had changed.
• Gen 47 – During the famine, when Joseph bought all of Egypt for the Pharaoh, his wisdom and business acumen were very obvious
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1.5)
  • Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Prov 3.13-18)
  • But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3.17)

GRACIOUS & FORGIVING

• Gen 42.25 – He returned the money to his brothers. He gave grain for free to the men who sold him as a slave 20 years earlier.
• Gen 43.32 – He threw a feast for his brothers. 20 years earlier, they had eaten a meal while he languished alone in a pit.
• Gen 45 – He revealed himself to his brothers, forgave them, told them God’s plan, and sends them away with blessing and provisions
• Gen 50.19-20 – After the death of Jacob, Joseph reconfirms his full forgiveness to his brothers
• CHALLENGE FOR US TODAY
  • Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4.32)
  • Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Col. 3.13)
  • May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1.2)

KEY LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

1. With God’s help, any situation can be used for good, even when others intend it for evil.
2. What matters is not so much the events or circumstances of life, but our response to them.
3. God is sovereign. He is orchestrating our life for our good and His glory.  We simply must trust him, embrace His presence, and point others to Him.

2018 Copyright Lucas Griffin