Enduring Trials, Enjoying Blessings

TEXT: Gen 39:2, And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and
he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Joseph was born in the Mesopotamian town of Haran, to his parents Jacob and Rachel.
At the age of six, he left Haran along with his family and journeyed to the land
of Canaan, eventually settling in Hebron.

Jacob displayed extra affection to Joseph, who was born to his father’s old age,
presenting him with a specially-crafted garment. This prompted feelings of jealousy
within his brothers, especially the sons of Jacob’s other wife, Leah. These ill feelings
exacerbated when Joseph repeated two of his dreams to them, in which he was
portrayed as ruling over his brethren. In the first, the brothers were gathering wheat in
the field, and the brothers’ bundles bowed to Joseph’s bundle. In the second, Joseph
envisioned the sun, the moon, and eleven stars (symbolizing his parents and brothers)
bowing to him.

Soon enough, when Joseph was seventeen, the tension came to a head.
Summary of Joseph’s Life:
 Joseph was ordered by his father Jacob to go and check on his brothers who
feed the flock in Shechem.
 His brothers plotted to kill Joseph but Reuben objected and later on agreed to
cast him into a pit.
 They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites who passed by.
 The Ishmaelites sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.
 Joseph serves Potiphar and made him overseer over his house.
 Joseph was accused by Potiphar’s wife
 He was imprisoned together with the king’s chief of the butler and chief of the
baker.
 Joseph interpreted the butler and the baker’s dream.
 After two years Joseph also interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream
 Joseph became the governor over all the land of Egypt.
 Seven years of great harvest came and Joseph gathered all the food of seven
years
 Joseph born two sons before the famine, named Manasseh and Ephraim
  Seven years of famine came then all people came to Joseph to buy for food
 Jacob ordered his sons to go to Egypt and buy food for their family.
 Joseph pretends to have not recognize his brothers and put them in prison for 3
days
 Joseph sends his brothers except Simeon back to Hebron with the food they
bought.
 Joseph’s brother told their father Jacob about what happened in Egypt.
 Jacob sends back his sons together with Benjamin to buy for food in Egypt
 Joseph prepared for a lunch for his brothers
 Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and send them back to Hebron to bring
his father
 Pharaoh let Joseph’s family live at Goshen in Egypt.

Points to note:
1. Joseph travelled approximately 78 km from Hebron to Shechem, and another
24km to Dotham to check on his brothers only to find himself bullied and thrown
into the well.
What Joseph has to endure:
1. Bullied by his own brothers - Gen 37:23, And it came to pass, when Joseph was
come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many
colours that was on him;
Gen 37:24, And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty,
there was no water in it.

2. Sold twice (first to Ishmaelites then to Potiphar) - Gen 37:27, Come, and let us
sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our
brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
Gen 37:28, Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and
lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty
pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

3. Accused by his master’s wife - Gen 39:17, And she spake unto him according to
these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us,
came in unto me to mock me:
Gen 39:18, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his
garment with me, and fled out.

4. He was imprisoned - Gen 39:20, And Joseph's master took him, and put him into
the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in
the prison.
Joseph’s Notable Attitude:
1. He is Obedient to his Father – Gen 37:13, And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not
thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them.
And he said to him, Here am I.
Gen 37:14, And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy
brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out
of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

2. He has self control - Gen 39:8, But he refused, and said unto his master's wife,
Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath
committed all that he hath to my hand;
Gen 39:9, There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back
anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this
great wickedness, and sin against God?

3. Sold out to God’s Plan - Gen 39:3, And his master saw that the LORD was with
him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Gen 45:5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because
you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!

How God Blessed Joseph:

1. He Prospered - Gen 39:3, And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and
that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Gen 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and
he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

2. He was Protected - Gen 39:21, But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him
kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden.

3. He was promoted - Gen 41:43, Pharaoh had him ride in the chariot used by his
second-in-command, and they cried out before him, “Kneel down!” So he placed
him over all the land of Egypt.

4. He became a blessing to others - Gen 39:5, And it came to pass from the time
that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the
LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the
LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
Conclusion:
Joseph's prosperity and success are not granted in an instant. He has to endure
numerous hardships and sufferings, fully aware that they are integral parts of the
process God has planned for him. Joseph is wholeheartedly committed to God's plan to
save the tribes of Israel through him, even though he may not fully comprehend or
foresee what awaits him in Egypt. All he holds is the assurance that the God he serves
is the same faithful God his father Jacob and ancestors served.

Application:
We all experience moments in life when our focus is solely on the sufferings and
hardships we are currently facing. Whether it be a simple misunderstanding, a time of
great need, or any challenging situation that leaves us feeling exhausted, we should
understand that trials and sufferings are part of the process for us to grow our faith in
God. It is during these times that we learn to place our trust in Him. Through hardships
and trials, we are being prepared for the greater blessings that He has in store for us,
and His glory will be displayed through us.