Joseph: A Portrait of an Abundant Life

• He enjoyed his father’s favor
  • He was willing to do what was asked of him (Genesis 37:12)
  • By contrast, his brothers acted wickedly (Genesis 37:3)
• He provoked the wrath of his brothers
  • The righteous, enjoying the favor of the Father will provoke the wrath of the wicked. (John 15:18-21)
  • There is a blessing for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10)
• Joseph went through cycles of blessings and persecution in his life
  • The favor of God meant that Joseph was protected
    • Psalm 23:4 – God did not lead him around the dark valleys of life, but protected Joseph through them.
    • Joseph was a good sheep – he allowed the Father to shepherd him
  • Persecution: Genesis 37:18-36
    • Joseph was going about his father’s business, being sent to the wicked and the wicked desired to kill him.
    • God used Reuben to intervene and talk the other brothers out of killing Joseph
    • God then used the Ishmaelites to take Joseph to Egypt
  • Blessing: Genesis 39:1-6
    • Potiphar very quickly saw that the Lord was with Joseph
    • Because of this, he elevated him to chief status over the household.
  • Back into the Valley: Genesis 39:7-20
    • Potiphar’s wife brought temptation to Joseph.
      • Lustful, sexual temptation
      • He could also have perceived this as a means to advance himself – her favor could have been useful to him.
        • In contrast the wrath of Potiphar’s wife could be dangerous
    • Joseph refused and once again brought upon himself the wrath of the wicked
      • Potiphar put him in prison
      • Again, God protected Joseph and no harm came to him.
  • Back on top: Genesis 39:21-23; 40, 41
    • Just like Potiphar, the warden saw the blessing of God on Joseph’s life and entrusted the running of the prison and oversight of the inmates to him.
    • Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer
      • Both had dreams, Joseph interpreted their dreams.
      • He asked the cupbearer to remember him when he got out….but he forgot him!
    • Pharaoh himself had a dream that he did not understand nor could anyone interpret for him
      • The cupbearer remembered Joseph, got him out of prison
      • With God’s wisdom, Joseph interpreted the dream and devised a plan of action to survive the famine.
      • He was elevated to the number two position in Egypt.
• The plan for an abundant life is not about us
  • When we walk in God’s abundance, it’s never exclusively for us, but it is to glorify Him and to bless others.
    • It’s about allowing the Lord to use us
  • Joseph saved multiple nations from destruction
    • Israel was one of those nations, ensuring the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
      • Saved from famine
      • Brought into the land of Goshen
        • This would allow the nation to grow and develop without the dangers and influences of the nations in Canaan.
        • The Egyptians detested the Hebrews, so they weren’t too keen on intermarrying and interfering.
    • This also ensured that the Messiah would have a family line descending from Abraham.
      • God’s ultimate plan for the salvation of mankind hinged in no small part on Joseph living the abundant life.
• The abundant life allows us to forgive those who wrong us
  • Genesis 45:1-15
    • Joseph had the power to take revenge on his brothers
    • Instead, he forgave them and blessed them with the best of the land
    • He remembered that the purpose of his life was not to gratify or glorify himself, but to glorify the Lord and to advance His kingdom and His plan.
• We can see this same pattern in the abundant life of others
  • David
  • Paul

Key Scriptures: Genesis 37; 39; 40; 41, John 15:18-21, Matthew 5:10, Psalm 23