If the passage above were the beginning of Joseph’s story, it would be pretty awesome. However, it’s not. It’s more like the middle and what leads up to this point isn’t nearly so great sounding.

Sold into Slavery
If you remember my blog post from last week (link), Joseph was hated by his brothers. They plotted to kill him, but in a last minute moment of mercy, his oldest brother convinced the others to just sell him into slavery and convince their father Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

Falsely Accused
As a slave, Joseph worked for an Egyptian named Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. Despite his circumstance, Joseph put forth his best effort as though he were working for the Lord. He did well so Potiphar liked him and put him in charge of his whole household…until Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of attempted rape (she was really the one who tried to seduce him). So Potiphar has Joseph sent to prison.

Sent to Prison
Joseph spent years in prison. Joseph, again, despite his circumstances, decided to serve God however he could in prison. Eventually, he was put in charge of all the prisoners…but he was still in prison.

Left in Prison for Years
Then Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer offended Pharaoh and got tossed in prison. They each had dreams one night and, by the grace of God, Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. They would both be released from prison, the cupbearer to be restored to Pharaoh’s palace and the baker to be killed.

Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember Joseph when he was restored and ask Pharaoh to release him. However, once the cupbearer was restored he forgot all about Joseph and Joseph spent another two years in prison.

Made Second Most Powerful Person in Egypt
Then Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. The cupbearer finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. Pharaoh sent for Joseph who was able to interpret the dream, a warning that there were to be seven years of plenty and then seven years of famine.

Joseph recommended the Pharaoh that the Egyptians be made to save a portion of the crops from the good years so they were have food for the famine years. That’s when we finally get to our passage. Pharaoh liked Joseph’s plan and decided to put him in charge of it and made him the number 2 person in all of Egypt.

A Difficult Path
Joseph had a difficult path. If we knew Joseph at the time, we probably would have understood if he got mad and threw in the towel. Yet, Joseph, after each disappointing development, chose to trust that God would work through the situation. So, he served God wherever he was.

I’ve told this story with an emphasis on the negative parts, but the Bible is clear that God was with Joseph through this whole journey. He blessed him at home. He blessed him at Potiphar’s. He blessed him in prison. Finally, He blessed him with Pharaoh.

What will your path look like?

For Joseph, God wasn’t just working to bless Joseph, He provides for Joseph’s family (the start of the people of Israel) during the famine through Joseph’s position. He also provides a place for them to move in Egypt where they will prosper. In the bigger picture, God was moving forward His plan of redemption for all mankind.

What has happened in your life? Has it been one success after another or have there been some setbacks along the way, maybe even unfair setbacks. I’m not saying that you’ll end up second in command of a nation, but I wonder if, at the end of your journey, you’ll look back and see some amazing things of how God was working through all of it?

Heavenly Father,

You bless us when things are going well and when they appear to be going badly. You even take the results of our sin and the sins of others and work good for Your people. Help me, like Joseph, to trust that You are working whether things are going how I want or not. Help me to chose to serve You no matter what my circumstance.

Amen.