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Joseph was loved by his father more than his other brothers. Genesis 37:3. When
God revealed to him that he would one day attain a position above his brothers,
instead of keeping this to himself, he told his brothers who in turn hated and
ridiculed him. At a fairly young age, when the opportunity arose, his brothers
sold him into slavery.
During his time in slavery Joseph grew in his faith in God. Here his master,
Potiphar, put him in charge of everything he owned. God blessed the household
of his master because of Joseph.
God allowed him to be tempted by Potiphar's wife but because he was walking
with God he was able to flee and keep himself pure. Though he was falsely
accused by his attacker he trusted God to work things out for his good and the
good of his family. Even in prison he did not lose his faith in God.
While in prison he found favour in the eyes of the jailor and was given the
highest position possible in prison. He was put in charge of all those held
in prison. God was ever with him, and blessed him, and gave him success in
whatever he did.
After having been found faithful in this lowly position God arranged for him
to be raised to the highest responsible position in Pharaoh's kingdom. During
these years of training God was preparing him for the time when the dreams he
had in his youth would be fulfilled. Joseph did not become bitter against God
during this time but rather learned to forgive those who had wronged him.
After seven prosperous years God sent seven lean years and during these lean
years Joseph's brothers needed to go to Egypt where Joseph was in charge of the
food. After some very interesting encounters described in chapters 42 - 45 in
Genesis Joseph invited his family to move to Egypt so that he could care for
them.
May we keep our faith in God in hard times as in good times.
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