Joseph’s Life Exemplifies the Faithfulness of God
Are you faithfully following God’s Word, but continually facing hardship? You are not alone, my friend. For the Bible describes a period of Joseph’s life where he repeatedly endures hardship. Yet, through every situation, Joseph chooses to hold onto the faithfulness of God. Like Joseph, we can hold onto God’s faithfulness as well.
For Scripture assures us “that all things work together for the ultimate good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 CSB).
Expounding on this verse, author Rabbi Jason Sobel explains, “Good means that God will bring benefit and purpose out of every situation for those who love Him and have the faith to see. We must believe that what seems terrible on the surface has a concealed good that we can’t comprehend.”
Friend, when you don’t understand or perceive God’s hand in a situation, hold onto the faithfulness of God with confident assurance that all things will work together for your ultimate good.
The Faithfulness of God in Joseph’s Life
Turning to Genesis chapters 37-40, let’s visit the events in Joseph’s life which exemplify the promise of Romans 8:28. May Joseph’s faith and endurance throughout these events inspire us to trust and endure.
1. God hears and acts
First, we see Joseph, who is loved more than all of his brothers, proudly sharing two dreams with his family. These dreams fully unleash his brothers’ hatred and jealousy, provoking them to consider murder. But instead of killing Joseph outright, they throw him into an empty cistern. Then, after spying a caravan of Ishmaelites approaching, they decide to sell Joseph as a slave.
Imagine Joseph’s thoughts and emotions at this moment. Perhaps, he strongly regrets sharing his dreams and desperately cries out to God. For everything is taken away from him – his home, his family, his freedom. The only person he can turn to is God.
Yet, God has a plan through all of this. For these Ishmaelite traders are traveling to Egypt, which is the very place where Joseph’s destiny awaits.
Friend, if you are facing unforeseen hardship, entrust it all to the Lord. He hears your cry and sees your tears. For He is the God who sees and acts on your behalf. He will strengthen you and help you, upholding you with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
2. God is present, equipping
Next, the Ishmaelite traders sell Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard. However, the Lord is with Joseph and causes everything he undertakes to prosper. As a result, Potiphar places Joseph in charge of his household and all that he owns.
Despite his brothers’ wrongdoing, Joseph refuses to harbor bitterness. Instead, he relinquishes everything into the Lord’s hands and rejects dwelling on the adverse circumstances. In addition, he chooses to work unto the Lord in all he undertakes. May we do the same when facing hardship.
Furthermore, by overseeing Potiphar’s household, Joseph acquires management skills and grasps the meaning of servanthood. Both of these equip Joseph for his future destiny.
Friend, the Lord created us for good works which He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Just as the Lord equipped Joseph, He equips us to carry them out as well. Perhaps your circumstances are equipping you in some way, such as fostering trust in the Lord.
3. God sees and acts
But then, even more distressing circumstances occur. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly attempts to persuade Joseph to lie with her. Each time, Joseph adamantly refuses. He emphatically declares, “how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9c) One day though, Potiphar’s wife forcefully grabs Joseph’s garment as he flees from her advances. Then she concocts a story to Potiphar, blaming Joseph for attempting to sleep with her. Infuriated, Potiphar confines Joseph in prison.
Yet, the Lord is with Joseph, granting him favor with the prison warden. So much so, the warden places all the prisoners under Joseph’s care.
In spite of the unjust situation, Joseph again refuses to harbor bitterness. Instead, he continues to serve as unto the Lord. Plus, through his confinement in prison, Joseph cultivates compassion for others and continues to sharpen his leadership skills. Once again, equipping Joseph for his future destiny.
Have you been unjustly accused of something? Know the Lord sees all that happens to you. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19,21).
4. God intervenes
Joining Joseph in prison are two officers of Pharaoh, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. One morning, Joseph notices their distraught faces. With genuine concern, he approaches them. After the officers share their perplexing dreams, Joseph provides the interpretation, attributing the credit to God. In addition, Joseph requests the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh when the cupbearer’s position is restored. Unfortunately, though, the chief cupbearer fails to remember Joseph.
Two full years pass since interpreting the two officers’ dreams and Joseph is still in prison. Nothing is recorded of Joseph’s thoughts or actions. But based on previous circumstances, Joseph probably kept serving the Lord with all his heart, while holding onto the faithfulness of God.
When in a season of waiting, draw close to the Lord by immersing yourself in His Word (Psalm 130:5). Choose to trust that God is working on your behalf. He may be orchestrating details you cannot perceive. This was the case for Joseph.
5. God accomplishes His plans
Finally, Joseph’s situation abruptly shifts. This time, Pharaoh has perplexing dreams, which cause the chief cupbearer to suddenly remember Joseph. Perhaps, he can interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. The chief cupbearer mentions this to Pharaoh, who then sends for Joseph.
Immediately, Joseph states his inability to interpret dreams but proclaims God will provide the interpretation. After hearing the dreams, Joseph informs Pharaoh that God is forewarning about an upcoming famine. Joseph then proceeds to offer advice on preparing for the future famine.
Pleased with Joseph’s wise plan, Pharaoh declares to his servants, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?” (Genesis 41:38). As a result, Pharaoh places Joseph over his household and all of Egypt, making him 2nd in command.
Overnight, Joseph transforms from prisoner to ruler over all of Egypt. However, this transformation actually begins at the tender age of 17 when Joseph enters slavery. And it continues for 13 long years. During this time, the Lord refines Joseph, preparing him for his destiny as ruler over all Egypt. All the while, Joseph continuously chooses to trust, holding onto the faithfulness of God. Then at age 30, Joseph enters the service of Pharaoh, fulfilling God’s plan.
Friend, just as Joseph experienced transformation, we do too. For the moment we declare Jesus Christ as our Lord, we are transformed from slaves of sin to children of God Most High, the great King over all the earth (John 1:12, Psalm 47:2). However, as children of God, the transformation process continues our whole lives in order to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Therefore friend, the Lord may be refining you and molding Christlike character through your circumstances. Like Joseph, continue to trust and hold onto the Lord’s faithfulness through it all.
6. God works all things together for good
Afterwards, Joseph publicly acknowledges God’s hand in his hardship. For when his brothers arrive in Egypt to buy grain during the famine, Joseph proclaims, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. Therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:5b,8a).
Through Joseph’s life, we witness the fulfilled promise of Romans 8:28. For all the hardship Joseph experiences, fortifies his faith and equips him to fulfill God’s plan.
Friend, when we trust the Lord with our circumstances, our faith will be fortified as well. Therefore, let’s hold onto the faithfulness of God with confident assurance that He will fulfill the promise of Romans 8:28 in our lives.
Just as the Lord was with Joseph in every situation, so He is with you. He will never fail you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Father, thank You for Your Word that “was written for our instruction, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Help us to look to You in all things, trusting that You are working on our behalf. May our lives give You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflecting on the Faithfulness of God
- How do you respond to hardship?
- Do you truly believe the promise of Romans 8:28?
- What action steps can you take to trust in the Lord’s faithfulness?
Related Posts
- Learn how God’s power enables us to overcome hardship as we delve into 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.
- Read why we can regard trials as opportunities from James 1:2-4.
