As a youngster, Joseph was overconfident. His natural self-assurance, increased by being Jacob’s favorite son and by knowledge of God’s designs on his life, was unbearable to his ten older brothers, who eventually conspired against him. But his self-assurance, molded by pain and combined with personal knowledge of God, allowed him to survive and prosper where most would have failed. He added quiet wisdom to his confidence and won the hearts of everyone he met – Potiphar, the warden, other prisoners, the king, and after many years, even those ten brothers.
Perhaps you can identify with one or more of these hardships Joseph experienced: he was betrayed and deserted by his family, exposed to sexual temptation, and punished for doing the right thing; he endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. AS you read his story, note what Joseph did in each case. His positive response transformed each setback into a step forward. He didn’t spend much time asking “Why?” His approach was “What shall I do now?” Those who met Joseph were aware that wherever he went and whatever he did, God was with him. When you’re facing a setback, the beginning of a Joseph-like attitude is to acknowledge that God is with you. There is nothing like his presence to shed new light on a dark situation.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Rose to power from slave to ruler of Egypt
- Was known for his personal integrity
- WAs a man of spiritual sensitivity
- Prepared a nation to survive a famine
Weakness and Mistake
- His youthful pride caused friction with his brothers
Lessons From His Life
- What matters is not so much the events or circumstances of life, but your response to them
- With God’s help, any situation can be used for good, even when others intend it for evil
Vital Statistics for Joseph
- Where: Canaan, Egypt
- Occupation: Shepherd, slave, convict, ruler
- Relatives: Parents: Jacob and Rachel. Eleven brothers and one sister named in the Bible. Wife: Asenath. Sons: Manasseh and Ephraim
Key Verse for Joseph
“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ “ (Genesis 41:38).
Joseph’s story is told in Genesis 30 – 50. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:22
Recommended Bible Study Resources
ESV Study Bible – Study Bibles give you a deeper understanding of God’s Word with tools for life application like commentary, maps, charts, concordance, and study notes. Search our popular translations- NIV, ESV, NKJV, KJV and more!
Believer’s Bible Commentary: Second Edition – A Bible commentary is a written, systematic series of explanations and interpretations of Scripture. Commentaries often analyze or expound on individual books of the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Some commentary works provide analysis of the whole of Scripture.
The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – The best concordance for word study! This exclusive new edition of a legendary classic puts generations of biblical research at your fingertips. A valuable tool for pastors, teachers, and students of the Bible.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – This classic word study resource allows you to study the meaning of biblical words in the original languages without spending years learning Greek or Hebrew. A great resource for students, seasoned pastors, and anyone who enjoys biblical word studies–even if they have little to no formal training in Hebrew or Greek.
Halley’s Bible Handbook – The beloved and classic Bible companion has been thoroughly updated, while retaining its time-honored features and Dr. Halley’s highly personal style, to offer even greater clarity, insight, and usefulness.
Click here to print or download the Bible character study “Joseph – Man With Divine Purpose“
