From the pages of the Old Testiment comes the story of Joseph, a man of great honor and character. This study came from our Daily Bible study on the internet, beginning in August 2000. The story is from a Christian perspective, by a layman Bible teacher, Gary, give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. The story begins.
Coat of Many Colors
Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Not only the son of his old age but the son of his favorite wife Rachel who was barren until Joseph was born. Leah bore him many sons, but Israel (Jacob) loved Rachel. He favored the son with a beautiful coat.
Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
The other sons were jealous of Joseph because their father favored him. To you who read this; rejection is a terrible feeling. Don't let it come, it gives the devil a foothold in your life. The father was not fair, but this often happens, one son is favored above the others. They should have rejoiced with their brother for his new coat.
Gen 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
Joseph heard from God in a dream and being young wanted to share the dream with others. Jealousy now hate from the brothers. Why didn't they show love and understanding, this is Gods way.
Gen 37:6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
Gen 37:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
Joseph shares the dream in innocence, in essence he was saying the others would bow down to him. He was young and sharing with his brothers, but already they are jealous and angry. Now he says he is greater?This is a good time to warn those of you who are always conpeting for favor, don't do this at anothers expense. Often people are favored by Gods hand. Will you compete against God and destroy his favored one? Don't do this.
Gen 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
The sun, perhaps his father, the moon the mother and the 11 stars the brothers, Again bowing in submission. Now Joseph is upsetting all the family with his wild dreams. (These dreams were prophetic, they would come true) Why is it that families sometimes are jealous and envious and full of hate? This is of the darkness. If a family member is favored or shares a dream we should show love and respect. This is the way of Christ.
Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Yes they indeed would bow down to the earth to their son Joseph. First though Joseph must go through many tests and trials . But God has chosen him and will favor him. You my friend have been chosen by God. You have a calling to fulfill, perhaps you have received a vision for ministry. Why is it that even the closest people to you oppose you? You only want to love and share with them? Josephs family opposed him, he was young and perhaps not wise in sharing when obviously those around him were upset . Jesus said that even families would oppose you. Joseph is an Old Testiment type of Jesus. The favored son of the father, rejected by his own who would suffer much and yet without sin. Yes, Joseph sinned but he passed all his trials and tests without sinning. We will learn more of Joseph in other lessons.
Father God may we not be jealous and hateful at anothers favor. Lord when we are opposed by even family you are with us. We can always follow you, you will never leave us or foresake us. You have only love for us and we return our love to you and others, even if not understood by them. Give us grace by Jesus blood to continue when opposed, rejected or hated by others. Thank you Jesus for bringing us through to joy and victory. In Jesus name, amen.
Gen 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
The brothers envied him and would plot to kill him. The father did not put away these strange dreams, but kept them in his mind.
Gen 37:12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
They were to feed the flocks and the Jewish leaders were to feed the people. Shechem is where they killed the males of the Hivites, why are they returning there? Wandering out into the world can get them into trouble.
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.
Joseph was sent to his brothers as Jesus was sent to his own. He was obedient to the father “here am I.’ The journey was about 60 miles, their was dangers of a hostile people and the malice of the brothers.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
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.
Gen 37:15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
Gen 37:16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
Gen 37:17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
Joseph was diligent in finding his brothers and reporting on their condition. Jesus also was diligent.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Joseph Sold
Gen 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
Gen 37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
The brothers hate and envy was sin. Sin leads to death, now they would kill their brother from jealousy. This is as the religious leaders in Isreal when Jesus came. They were envious and hated him, they also would conspire to kill him.
Gen 37:21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
Reuben had compassion on the little brother.
Gen 37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
Gen 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
They took off the offending cloak, the symbol of the fathers favor.
Gen 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
Gen 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Gen 37:26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
Gen 37:27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
The brothers were swift to sell Joseph, what shame to be sold to another . The greater shame is on the seller. And what evil to sell your own brother to strangers. Was not Jesus sold for 30 pieces of silver? Joseph would find favor, but the jealous Pharisees had bought Jesus so that they could destroy him. He allowed this to happen.
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 Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Gen 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
Reuben was not part of this selling, he was upset.
Gen 37:30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
Gen 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
Gen 37:32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.
Gen 37:33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
Gen 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
They covered their sins with the blood of the goat but they did not remove their sin. The old testiment sacrifices shed the blood of sheep and goats to cover sin but the sin was still there. It took the blood of Jesus to finally remove sins.
The sons had deceived their father causing him much grief. But no sign of repentance in the brothers. They thought their sin was covered. God uncovers all sin that is not forgiven by faith in Jesus the messiah. Joseph was innocent and now taken into slavery into Egypt , but he would be with God. Thank you LORD that you never leave us when others forsake us.
Potiphars Wife
Gen 39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
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.
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 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
The LORD had caused everything to prosper with Joseph. His Spirit blessed him. As described in Psalm 1:
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
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.
Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
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 any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Joseph was of good moral character. A requirement for any high position. A Christian without good character is a disgrace to his Lord. Jesus never sinned.
Prov 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
There are many snares of the enemy where lust is concerned.
Gen 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
I hope their are no women out there reading this that play this game. And men, flee, do not be alone with a strange woman. She was married, and he was put in a position of trust. There are women who seduce as a game or for power, don't do this. God is not pleased. Those in slavery? No choice? God will not hold you accountable. Serve him with a humble heart.
Gen 39:13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
Gen 39:14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
Gen 39:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
Gen 39:16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
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.
Its get even time. She was refused now she punishes righteous Joseph with a false story. God hates liars. Liars accused our Lord Jesus. The devil is a liar. He tempts us and then accuses us. He does this over and over. Think of the shame if Joseph had really sinned. There would be no end to the devils accusations. Many of us have given in to lust in a moment of weakness, then begins satans accusations and torment. We are to live in victory not giving satan a place to condemn us. Live a pure life. Be ye Holy as I am holy, the LORD says. Though accused, Joseph was innocent.
Gen 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
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.
It is a bad place to be in prison. Any person held against his will unfairly is a very bad thing. Jesus came to set the captives free. First in the heart, then in the physical. Once Jesus has freed us, we need not be bound again. Thank you Jesus for coming and setting us free. Lord I pray for all those bound that you would come to them. The gospel power sets the captives free. Thank you Lord that you love us so much. Our past is forgiven we will no longer seek to be entangled in sin where the devil accuses us.
Joseph in Prison
a poem with a message
Genesis 39:20 - 41:15
He was in an Egyptian prison because of Potiphar's wife.
It was very dark and dreary, Not a place for human life.
there was no soap or water to wash away the grime,
It may have gathered on his flesh, but never in his mind.
He communed each day in prison with the God of Abraham
To keep a sound and perfect mind; at peace with God and man.
He lived with the hope of being free to roam from sea to sea,
But refused to bend to sins demands and lose integrity.
He practiced righteous living even behind those prison walls
By helping others with him inside those dungeon halls.
Two fellow inmates told him of dreams they truly had
While sleeping on the ground that was their only bed.
The royal butler, who served the Pharaoh's wine
Being innocent, would be restored in three days time.
The word that Joseph gave him came true as he had said.
In three days time he was serving wine just as he always had.
Joseph ask this servant to remember him to the king,
But when he served the Pharaoh he didn't say a thing.
Two years would pass, two awful years, without a change of plan.
This long it took the servant to help his suffering friend.
He remembered his friend Joseph after that expanse of time
For Pharaoh had a dream and was troubled in his mind.
The dream had so upset him that he called into his court
All the wise men and magicians who lived by his support.
No man among them could interpret Pharaoh's dream,
It was then the royal butler remembered Joseph's plea.
He told the Pharaoh of his dream and how it came about
That in three days time from prison he was truly taken out.
The Pharaoh called for Joseph to be taken from that hole,
And promised him a great reward if the dream he could unfold.
Young Joseph replied, with humble grace, I cannot do this thing;
But the God I serve can reveal it all, down to the smallest scene.
To go before the Pharaoh, Joseph was much too unclean
He would need a bath to remove the grime;
The result of his prison time.
When his ablution was complete his face was all agleam
And now he was ready to stand before the king.
This picture of Joseph that we've already seen,
Tells the story of mankind who was also chained by sin.
Through no fault of our own we were truly placed within.
And held securely in the awful bonds of sin.
We were much to unholy to stand before a king.
And then in the portals of heaven an amazing thing took place,
The King of Glory was reminded of our total disgrace
A plan was then forth coming for one to take our stand
So we could live in heaven in that eternal land.
God's word became flesh and lived here as a man.
And fulfilled the scheme of God's redemption plan.
He lived on earth without a sin and did so till the end.
And brought man's right to stand before the everlasting King.
The way to find the impossible dream is recorded in God's word
Ask to be forgiven of your awful sins, and believe with all your heart
That when you ask in the name of Christ your sins will all depart.
You will then be forgiven and cleansed by His blood
You will have a robe of righteousness so fresh and so clean
And the change of your living standard by all will be seen.
and now you'll be ready to stand before the King.
To sing with the angels and the sanctified beings.
By
Hiram D. Bennett
August 15, 2000
Thank you Hiram Bennet for writing this poem and giving us permission to share it.
Gary
The Story Continues
Page 2
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Eaglewings Index