Rose Publishing - Life of Joseph: Gods Purposes in Suffering

The printed version of this eBook is the Life of Joseph pamphlet, ISBN-13: 9781596363861

Author: Benjamin Galan, MTS, ThM, Adjunct Professor of OT Hebrew and Literature at Fuller Seminary

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

It is illegal to photocopy, transmit electronically, post on the internet, or reproduce this pamphlet in whole or in part in any form.

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Rose Publishing, LLC
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• Provides background information on the Life of Joseph in less than 30 minutes.
• Includes section-by-section commentary on Joseph's complete story (From Gen. 12-Gen. 50).
• Features incredible visual aids, including a time line of 19 key people and events; a map of the journeys of Jacob and Joseph; and Joseph's family tree.
• Provides handy quick-reference charts showing key information at a glance. For example, one chart compares the key life events of Joseph, Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and Judah.

GOD IN THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

The story of Joseph (Genesis 3050) teaches about faith and trust, and Gods power in times of suffering. Its also a thrilling story of a 17-year-old boy who was

• Favored by his father
• Resented by his ten older brothers
• Thrown into a pit in the wilderness
• Sold into slavery and never returned home

Later just when it appeared his life was improving he was

• Stalked by someone powerful and vengeful
• Falsely accused and imprisoned
• Abandoned in jail without friends or supporters to defend him
• Forgotten by people who owed him a favor

But throughout the misery, God was there with Joseph.

1. Personal: God has a purpose in our suffering. God grew Joseph from immaturity to strength and mercy.
2. Family: God used bad circumstances to save Josephs family and change attitudes.
3. Nationally: God used Josephs misfortunes to save many lives and set up the rest of the biblical story that leads to the saving of the world through Christ.
4. Beyond: God used this event to bring blessing to the world long past biblical days. We, too, are part of Gods larger plan that calls for patience and trust during times of suffering. Just as God blessed Josephs faithfulness, God will bless our faithfulness.

BEGINNING OF THE PROMISE (Read Gen. 12:13)

This story begins long before Josephs birth. It begins with his great-grandfather, Abraham, a nomadic sheep and goat herder who lived in the dry, hot region of the Middle East known then as Canaan and today as Israel.

Although Joseph is the main character, the story is really about Gods promise to Abrahams descendants.

God appeared to Abraham and made two promises:

• I will make you a great nation.
• All the nations of the earth will be blessed by you. (Gen. 12:12)

Gods promise to Abraham changed the direction of humanity. Human disobedience and rebellion turned Gods creation upside down. Instead of being a good and blessed creation, human rebellion resulted in a cursed creation and a cursed history (see Gen. 13).

God promised Abraham to start a new history of blessing with him and his family.

Gods promise lies with a family; it is not an ideal familyit resembles many families today, with struggles, deep problems, sadness, and grief.

Question: God gave Abraham some specific promises. What are some promises in the Bible that God gives to everyone who believes in him?

Abraham's Departure by Jzsef Molnr

A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

The story of Joseph begins in Gen. 37:1, with his father Jacob in the land of Canaan. This simple statement is a reminder that God is implementing his promise to Abraham. Then the biblical story introduces Joseph and his brothers. It is immediately clear that their relationships are broken and that the potential for conflict is great.

Galyna Andrushko

PLAYING FAVORITES (Read Gen. 37:14)

Joseph is Jacobs youngest and favorite son. This favoritism is evident in a few short lines in the story.

Two main clues of this favoritism:

1. The coat of many colors, or richly ornamented robe, was a gift from Jacob to Joseph. Whatever the robe was, it was a special and precious garment indicating that Joseph was not meant for a life of fieldwork like the other sons.
2. The other telling comment is of a bad report (see box) Joseph brings about his brothers. Jacob foolishly sends the favored son to check on his brothers. By this time, Josephs actions and attitudes have hurt his relationship and angered his brothers.

The Bible describes a similar robe in only one other place, 2 Sam. 13:18. There Tamar, King Davids daughter, wears a similar robe and we read, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore (2 Sam. 13:18).

The expression bad report is also used in Ps. 31:13, Jer. 20:10, and Ezek. 36:3, where it is used for the whispering of hostile people.

JOSEPHS DREAM (Read Gen. 37:511)

Josephs ten older brothers resent their fathers favoritism as much as Josephs attitude. Young Joseph fails to understand the depth of his brothers loathing toward him. With little tact and wisdom, Joseph shares his dreams with his family. One night, Joseph dreams that his brothers and parents bow before him. The Bible does not say that Josephs dreams come from God. In fact, we do not know that is the case until the end of the story, when the dreams become reality. It is also the straw that breaks the camels back for his brothers.

DECEIVING THE DECEIVER (Read Gen. 37:1236)

The strained relationships among family members anticipate a potentially tragic ending. Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are herding sheep far awayan unwise decision considering the previous bad report from Joseph and the already weak relationships among his children. Josephs brothers find a perfect opportunity to be rid of their youngest brother. The brothers throw Joseph in a pit and want to kill him. Reuben hopes to rescue Joseph, but Judah, one of two eldest brothers, argues that it is better to make some money from the deal. Instead of killing him, they sell Joseph to a trading caravan going to Egypt. Joseph, although alive, ends up as a slave in Egypt. Jacob is cruelly deceived by his sons, who return with a bloodied coat/robe and a terrible lie: Joseph is dead.