Bible Study Online Article

So we find that Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and after he had done so -- they became very afraid of him.

For they knew, if this was really Joseph, the brother that they had betrayed some twenty-one years before -- they had every right to be afraid.

From a worldly perspective, Joseph had suffered in bondage for thirteen years because of his brothers.

Joseph was a good hearted, loyal person and he loved his family: One might ask: "Why would God allow this to happen to him?"

These are the moments in which the great advantages of the Sacred Scriptures come into play, for we are able to see Joseph's ordeal through a much broader view because of them.

We were able to see how God was with him in every stage of his so-called bondage. I say "so-called" because every stage that Joseph would enter into, he found tremendous favor, and because of this -- Joseph was promoted to the very top. For we must not forget, that he was promoted to be the overseer of Potiphar's entire household.

At this stage in his journey, Potiphar was the only person that Joseph had to answer to. Remember that Potiphar was a top Egyptian official for he held the position of Captain of the Guard: so he was a man of great authority.

And when Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, he would be sent to prison. But once again, God was with Joseph, and he found favor in the eyes of the prison warden and was promoted to be in charge over all the prisoners, that was within the king's prison. The only person Joseph answered to at this stage, was the warden.

And because of Joseph's continued obedience and loyalty to the one true God, Joseph would eventually find favor in Pharaoh's eyes and be promoted to be the Egyptian Prime Minister of all the land, and henceforth -- he was known as Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets. And once again, at this stage, the only person that Joseph would have to answer to was Pharaoh.

Now, from a worldly perspective, Joseph was forced to live in the midst of chaos. But once again we should be thankful towards the Sacred Scriptures, for they allow us to see what Joseph couldn't? For we saw God providing and protecting Joseph at every stage in his journey, while He was training and building him up for the task that he was leading him towards.

And although Joseph couldn't see what God was doing, he never compromised his position with the Lord and he stayed committed to the Almighty. Everything that Joseph did, he always gave credit to the one true God. No matter how tough things seem to get, he always stayed true to what he was -- which was God's servant. And because of this, God could trust Joseph with the position that would be finally entrusted to him.

So therefore, Joseph stayed obedient to God, and he didn't take his favor with the Lord for granted. You know, I once asked the question in this series: "What would you have done if you were in Joseph's position?" For we must understand that Joseph didn't have this great advantage that we have, for we could look at his life backwards and forward and see all that God was doing for him. But Joseph wasn't able to do this when it came to his life; so therefore, he had to go on faith and his trust in the Lord.

So let's take away your advantage, and let's say you could only see things as Joseph did. Now, if we were to be honest with ourselves, we would have to admit -- that this would be a very difficult position to be in. Now you have an opportunity to seek revenge against those who had placed you on that thirteen year journey to begin with.

But you're God's servant, and you know that you will be held accountable for your actions. But we are still human and so therefore, we try to justify or actions for this special situation. And why not, since Joseph had every right by the world standards to seek revenge against his brothers -- right?

But Joseph didn't follow the world, he followed the one true God, and so therefore, he must not compromise his position and relationship with the Lord, by giving in to seeking revenge. Albeit, when Joseph had first met his brothers after they had betrayed him, he struggled with these vengeful thoughts. This is why he had spoke so harshly with them and thought about charging them as spies.

For if they were seen as spies: then they could be imprisoned or put to death behind these charges. After all, who was going to argue with Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets? But God would allow Joseph to gradually find out information that would help to give him pause in his actions.

One example is when he had found out that his little brother Benjamin was still alive. After he had heard this piece of news, his agenda would change and because of this -- Benjamin would become Joseph's new focus point. So now, instead of killing his brothers, or putting them in prison: he would use them to bring Benjamin to him. It was these kinds of moments, that God would continue to move and reveal things to Joseph about his brothers, that he just couldn't ignore.

For Joseph had adopted this notion that his brothers were wicked and evil men and rightly so -- look at how they treated him. But that was then and this is now, and God wanted to show Joseph that his brothers had changed for the better. So we must understand, that God did not place Joseph in this position so he could humiliate and seek revenge against his brothers.

So we see God moving and through Joseph's obedience he's able to stay on the right path. Joseph would finally be able to see, that all that he had been through -- was by God's design. This is why he told his brothers:

"I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing or reaping.

"But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of this entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Genesis 45:4-8)

These are the things that we should remember when we find ourselves in what seems like a midst of chaos. Joseph wasn't able to use the Sacred Scriptures that would allow him the benefit of gaining some type of perspective advantage when it came to his life. But thanks to the Bible we are able to. For God never changes, He's the same today, yesterday, and forevermore. For we must not forget, that since He was there for Joseph, He will also be there for us.

In the meantime, word did get back to Pharaoh and his officials and they were pleased that Joseph had reunited with his brothers. Pharaoh would back all that Joseph had promised his brothers. For Pharaoh would tell Joseph:

"Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of Egypt will be yours.'"

Now that Pharaoh had weighed in and made Joseph's promise to his brother's official, it will be very interesting to see how Jacob will respond. For the great patriarch is used to hearing bad news from his sons, this time they will be bringing good news. Will he believe them?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

100) The Unveiling of Joseph

101) <-CURRENT PAGE->

102) Jacob Stunned and Delighted

103) Jacob the Great Israel

104) Father and Son Reunited

105) Israel's Blessing to Pharaoh

106) Joseph the Fair-Minded

107) The Promise Between Father & Son

108) Jacob Becomes Ill

109) Jacob Adds Manasseh and Ephraim

110) Jacob Places Ephraim Before Manasseh

111) Joseph's Expectation and Disappointment

112) The Promise Covenant with Humanity

113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi

114) The Prophecy of Judah

115) The Tribe of Kings

116) Representation of the Scepter

117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin

118) The Gathering of the People

Leaving - Bible Study Online Article Page - Entering Christian Resources Today Home Page.

CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!