The life of Joseph

God's choice of Joseph to be a leader was foretold by God Himself to his father and brothers: "We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:7-10) Thus, Joseph knew that God intended for him to be a leader. 
 
Sold into slavery

Joseph was chosen by God to be the leader, but his brothers hated him. Therefore, they did not speak good about him. One day, when his father sent him to go to his brothers who were tending the sheep, his brothers plotted to kill him. But because God didn't allow them to succeed, they threw him instead into a pit without water first, then later sold into slavery. The Ishmaelites then sold him to Egypt and Joseph became a slave in Potiphar's house. Because the Lord was with Joseph, he succeeded in everything he did. Because of him, the Lord blessed Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1-6). Joseph was a slave, but he did not lose faith in God, and did not have ill feelings toward God. When Potiphar's wife tempted him to sleep with her, he said to her, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9) He avoided sin because he feared God. 

People go to jail because they commit crime. But in Joseph's case, he was imprisoned because he was righteous. When Potiphar's wife was unsuccessful in seducing Joseph, she reported to her husband about Joseph the opposite of what had happened, alleging that Joseph was trying to sleep with her, so Potiphar put him in prison. Let us remember Joseph when we are wrongly accused. Joseph did not sin against God even in prison. God blessed him. When interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's cup bearer and table bearer, he said "Doesn't the meaning of dreams belong to God?" (Genesis 40: 8). Later on, the cup bearer no longer remembered him, but God did not forget him. It is also good that the cupbearer forgot him. If the cupbearer remembered him and told Pharaoh about Joseph, Pharaoh might not take him seriously about what he said. Therefore, it is important not to lose heart when people do not notice and do not care. It's important to know that God always remembers us. 

When he was about to interpret Pharaoh's dream, he said to Pharaoh that he glorified God and that he himself was not capable of doing anything.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:15-16) Joseph praised God and acknowledged Hm. When we know something because of God's grace, we tend to boast about it instead of glorifying God. Not praising God is a sin.

Joseph was not only NOT angry with God, but he also gave praise to God while surrounded by unbelievers, especially in the presence of Pharaoh. Joseph did not go to church; There was no book to read; There were no believing friends to be around. But his knowledge about God was way more advanced. He saw God as God. Therefore, God also gave him the opportunity to interpret dreams. 

Walked with God 

Joseph waited for God's timing. He had known through the dream before he was 17 that he would one day be a leader. But instead of becoming a leader, he was sold as a slave. While he was comfortable as a slave where he could forget his previous life and be satisfied, he still needed to descend into the life of a prisoner, which is lower than being a slave. But in the end, God deservedly exalted him to the highest position, second only to the Pharaoh in Egypt. He was only 30 years old when he got that position (Genesis 41: 46). Therefore, his initial suffering lasted for 13 years. Because he walked with God for 13 years, he enjoyed 80 good years. His father Jacob lived long, but lived a miserable life. Whereas Joseph waited for God's time and suffered for a while, he was tremendously blessed for many many years. Some people had a good life when they were young, but the older they get, the worse life they endure. There may be many reasons for that, but not walking with God could be one of the main reasons. Let us walk with God like Joseph did. 

Not only did Joseph walk with God, but he also believed that everything that happened in his life was God's plan. Therefore, he did not hold grudges against his brothers. To his brothers he said, "Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Genesis 45:4-8) 

Comforting the brothers 

Joseph's brothers were still afraid of Joseph when their father died. "When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:15-21). The reason Joseph was able to forgive his brothers was because he believed that everything that happened was according to God's plan. If we are able accept that the events surrounding us that affect us are God's plan, we will be able to forgive everyone.