5 Reasons Why Joseph Is A Good Example

Jeff and I received a daily Bible devotional in the mail from a Mennonite outreach. It's wholesome and they even use the King James Version for all of their scripture references. The devotional recommends a daily Bible reading schedule so that if you follow the plan you can read the Bible in a year. We'd decided to attempt such a feat although within the first two weeks I'd already fallen behind. So yesterday and this morning I spent a good deal of time reading the last 43 chapters of Genesis. It was actually nice, because without breaking up the flow of the scripture by reading just 2 or 3 chapters a day, I was able to gain much more from continuous reading.

Genesis always amazes me. I read about some of the abominable things the people did, even among those who God chose to set apart and bless! I wondered why God would continue to work with such a people!  The book of Genesis has so many appalling details. The murders, the sexual sins, the wickedness, the many different wives some of the men took and all of the problems that followed these things (Thank the Lord that His plans are higher than ours and in spite of the sins of every generation He provides a way for atonement and redemption!). Yet as the book progresses It's refreshing to begin reading of Jacob's son Joseph.

There are so many instances in which Joseph could have despaired and lost his faith.  As his story began, in Genesis 37, Joseph was hated by his step-brothers because he was favored by his father. They also disliked his dreams of their obeisance to him. In spite of his innocence his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. He ended up in a strange land, absent from the parents he loved. Yet in all of his life we see an example of incredible character, conduct and faith.

We read in 1 John 2:16 that Satan has a three-fold strategy for attacking the believer, "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life". Notice in the account of Joseph that he was tempted in all three areas numerous times but stayed strong in the Lord and pursued righteousness.

Here are 5 of the major things about Joseph's character that stood out to me as exemplary:

5. Others benefited from Joseph's faith.
Genesis 39:2-3 says, "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand." Joseph's faith was evident to all those who knew him. He didn't curse the Lord when he was in the lowliest seasons but continued to trust God and when he abounded he wasn't proud or boastful but attributed his success to God. Because of his faithfulness to God he was blessed by God and those around him benefited greatly. As believers today we can bring great blessing to those around us by following after God and being a light in this ever darkening world.

4. Joseph was honest.
Joseph was trustworthy as his master, Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, made him overseer of all his house and all that he had. Potiphar was so confident in Joseph that he didn't even keep track of him as Gen. 39:6 says, "And he left all that he had in joseph's hand; and he knew not out he had, save the bread which he did eat...." The last half of the verse says, "And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." So we see that Joseph was a good and honest man. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us believers,"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Joseph conducted himself honestly and gained the trust of those around him, not because he stove to please men but because he was obedient to God.

3. Joseph valued purity.
After we read about the moral corruptness of many of the men who came before Joseph, it is a breath of fresh air to read about how he fled from sexual temptation. As chapter 39 progresses we see that Potiphar's wife desired to lie with Joseph. Joseph didn't fall prey to this woman. He refused her command and responded, "Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Potiphar's wife daily tempted him to give in to her and "he haearkened no unto her to lie by her, or to be with her." So not only would he not lie with her but he wouldn't spend time with her! Talk about conviction and fortitude! As the story goes, this evil woman falsely accused Joseph of attempting to rape her and her husband had him thrown in prison, as it says in Gen 39:20.
Joseph risked displeasing his master's wife out of respect for his master, respect for himself and in obedience to God. There are many scriptures that instruct us believers to flee: "Flee fornication...", 1 Corinthians 6:18, or "Flee youthful lusts...", 2 Timothy 2:22. Joseph didn't have the benefit of committing these verses to memory but he knew it was better to flee than to be taken captive by the sinful pleasures of the moment. And while he was imprisoned his conscience remained free of guilt and remorse. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: bot God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."


So Joseph goes from being loved and favored by his father to being sold in slavery. In slavery God causes him to prosper in his masters house. Then from being a valued and powerful servant he finds himself lowered to the state of imprisonment. Here too, God causes Joseph to prevail. 39:22-23, "And the keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper."

2. Joseph was bold in proclaiming his faith.
Over and over again we see that Joseph believed in God and gave Him the glory. In prison Joseph interprets the dreams of two of the Pharaoh's men, the chief butler and the chief baker and we notice here that Joseph gives God the praise, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Gen. 40:8). Two years later Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, for the Egyptian magicians and all the the wise men could not declare their meaning. Once again Joseph speaks of God in the interpretation, thereby giving glory and honor to God. Because of this Gen. 41:38-39 says, "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:" The Pharaoh proceeded to set Joseph in the highest position of authority over all the land of Egypt including the Pharaoh's own house, "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." (Gen. 41:40) For a third time we see Joseph rise to a position of authority and greatness and prosperity.

It is fascinating to keep in mind that Joseph was in a land that worshiped pagan gods, and where even the Pharaoh was considered a god on earth, yet this did not hinder him from speaking of God.  Also note that the Hebrews weren't very popular in Egypt. When Joseph eats with his brothers it says in Gen. 43:32,"And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians." Not only that but Joseph had to make special provision for his family when they moved to Egypt as shepherds were abominable to Egyptians (Gen. 46:34). So Joseph had to be bold and unashamed of his God to go against the grain in a land where Hebrews were despised and where the God of Israel was not worshiped.

1. Joseph forgave.
Later on when the famine came as the Pharaoh saw in his dreams, Joseph's family come to him in need of food. He shows discreetness and wisdom by not immediately revealing himself to his brothers . He does not have his brethren slain, he does not take them as servants or seek any other form of revenge for their cruelty towards him. Instead he ends up blessing not only his brothers but his entire family, providing for them and ensuring that they prosper in spite of the great famine. Not only this but you never read of Joseph revenging himself against Potiphar's wife. Being under only Pharaoh, you'd think Joseph could have dealt with those who had treated him ill. Although there is no account one way or another Joseph's forgiveness toward his brothers and his wise judgement in all matters suggests he did not pursue revenge. He knew it was God who worked through all of his misfortunes to bring about great fortune for not only himself but also for God's people. Romans 12:19 instructs us, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." 

The account of Joseph is a beautiful story of forgiveness, faith and love. Joseph was a great man, not because he was self-made but because he yielded himself an instrument of righteousness and allowed God to work through him (Romans 6). He is a true example of living out 1 Corinthians 13: Joseph suffered long, and was kind. He envied not and vaunted not himself. He was not puffed up. He didn't behave himself unseemly and didn't seek his own. He wasn't easily provoked and didn't think evil. He rejoiced not in iniquity but rejoiced in the truth. He bore all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things. Joseph was not a perfect, sinless man.... but he did follow after God and was blessed because of his faith.

Although King David hadn't written the Psalms yet, I think Joseph would have wholeheartedly appreciated Psalm 118:6 and 8, "The LORD is on m side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" and "It is better to trust in the LORD that to put confidence in man."