5 Lessons from the Life of Joseph

 This year, my husband and I began to read through the Bible in a year together. We have been aiming to read 6 pages a day in our bible.

We just finished the book of Genesis and I find the life of Joseph so inspirational. Here are some lessons I learned from him.

1. Bloom where you are planted. 

 I don’t remember this term being in the Bible, but, what I mean by this is work hard to do your best no matter what situation you are in. 

Sometimes, often, you will not be appreciated. Not by people anyways, but Colossians 3:23 says “whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

Even when others don’t appreciate you, know that God does. Nonetheless, Joseph found favor. He found favor with his father, in Potiphar’s house, with the keeper the prison, and finally with Pharaoh. 

In the Amplified Bible Genesis 39:22-23 says “The warden committed to Joseph’s care (management) all the prisoners who were in the prison; so that whatever was done there, he was in charge of it. The warden paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s care because the Lord was with him; whatever Joseph did, the Lord made to prosper.”

It looks like when God is with you. You are a person that is trustworthy. People can count on you to do the right thing. Certainly God’s favor is unmerited because he is good. But I believe there is special rewards when we do things to honor God and not man.

2. Accept that life is not fair and try to have a good attitude.

I don’t think Joseph would have been such a good worker for Potiphar, and later in jail, if he had allowed himself to drown in self-pity. It was not fair that he was a slave in Potiphar’s house. His brother’s set him up. It was not fair that he went to prison. Potiphar’s wife set him up. 

The fact is, we all have an enemy. 

Ultimately, this is not a physical battle but a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12) and at the end we will win because God is on our side. We can and should try to have a good attitude. 

We can be like the Apostle Paul who said “. . . I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)

We can get to a place where we are content regardless of our outside circumstances if we stop letting those things be an excuse.

3. Trust that God is working things for the good.

Romans 8:28 KJV says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

Joseph understood this before these words were written. His brothers meant to kill him and, thankfully, sold him into slavery instead. 

They understandably expected that he was upset at them. They thought he would be mad at them and was in a position to easily seek revenge. They sent word to Joseph saying that his Father, before he died, had requested that Joseph forgive his brothers for their transgression against him. His answer to them was so amazing.

Genesis 50:20 AMP says “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day].”

He understood that God was able to make good things happen out of difficult situations. Maybe that was his plan the whole time.

Joyce Meyer’s commentary puts it this way “So often in our lives, Satan thinks he is doing some terrible thing to bring about our destruction, and yet God has another plan entirely (see Genesis 50:20). He intends to take what Satan means for our harm and work it out not only for our good, but for the good of the many to whom we will minister.”

I think it takes a mature person to be able to see things in that way when they are in the midst of those “terrible things” but what a blessing from God to be able to have a positive perspective in the midst of trials. (see James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5)

4. Don’t take revenge into your own hands.

Genesis 50:18-19 AMP

Then his brothers went and fell down before him [in confession]; then they said, “Behold, we are your servants (slaves).” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.]

Joseph did not see it as his right or responsibility to seek vengeance. He knew he could trust God to do what’s best.

Romans 12:19 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:35

To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time . . .

Ultimately, I think it’s a matter of faith. The Bible tells us not to worry or be jealous over those that do evil because their time is short (psalm 37). It is easy when we are in the midst of things to feel like things drag on but, ultimately, things pass. I would like it to pass with me trusting God (to do what’s right and to take care of me) rather than being grumpy with disbelief.

5. Get to know God. 

It is hard to know what Joseph knows without spending time in the word. He was able to prosper and have wisdom because the Lord was with him. We are able to change, grow, be wise, because of our relationship with God and not so that we can have a relationship with God. It is an important fact to remember. We need to come boldly to the throne of God despite and because of our imperfections and need for him.