Old Testament · Patriarchal

Joseph

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”Genesis 50:20

Biography

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, his father's favorite, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers at age 17. In Egypt he rose from slave to prisoner to second-in-command under Pharaoh. His wisdom during seven years of plenty and famine saved Egypt and surrounding nations — including his own family. His reconciliation with his brothers is one of Scripture's most beautiful displays of forgiveness.

Spiritual Lesson

Joseph's life is a sustained lesson in trusting God through injustice and suffering. Each pit, each prison, each betrayal was a step in God's larger purpose. His declaration — 'you intended harm, but God intended good' — is a theology of providence: no evil done against us is beyond God's ability to redeem. Joseph is the clearest Old Testament type of Christ: betrayed, falsely condemned, raised to highest glory, and becoming the savior of many.

Walking Together

Lesson 22 · The Workplace Is the Mission FieldFrom Potiphar's house to prison to the palace, Joseph gave his best in every post, and \"Yahweh was with him\" followed him from desk to desk.Lesson 37 · Old Testament Narrative: How a Story Makes Its PointFrom the bottom of a pit to the second throne of Egypt to a word of forgiveness beside a grave - the man at the center of this lesson's worked example, whose whole life spells out 'God meant it for good.'Lesson 79 · When the Authority Is YoursFrom the bottom of a pit to the office of prime minister — holding the power of life and death over Egypt, he used it to keep many people alive.Lesson 92 · From Helper to StewardHouse slave, prisoner, prime minister - Joseph was a faithful steward at every stop, the Old Testament scroll of this lesson.

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