18 Life Lessons I Glean from the Life of Joseph

    

This blog is about Joseph the son of Jacob and Rachel. This narrative takes place in the book of Genesis chapter 37-50. Joseph is one of my favorite characters in the Bible because he was far from perfect, yet his life is exemplary. So much so, that one tends to be a little disappointed when he was not chosen in line of the promise at the end of his narrative. Why was Judah chosen over Joseph one may ask? The answer is a resounding, sovereignty of God. Who really knows? But one thing is for sure, Joseph’s life foreshadows the life of Christ. Here are 18 things I glean from Joseph’s life:

1.       If you are being favored, do not flaunt it.

2.       Do not give your pearls to swine. Joseph proclaimed his God given dreams to those who were not seeking God. If they had been seeking God they would have been open to Joseph’s revelation.

3.       Joseph desired to please his father and obeyed him.

4.       Joseph thrived through adversity and persevered horrid betrayal and oppression.

5.       He honored God and his task masters, demonstrated by God allowing Joseph to prosper in whatever he did.

6.       Joseph always gave God the credit for his gifting.

7.       Joseph fled temptation.

 

8.       Joseph cared how others felt, proven by his awareness of the baker and the cup bearer countenance.

9.       Joseph listened to others before speaking, verified by asking open ended questions.

10.   Joseph always gave God the glory for his actions and decisions.

11.   Joseph gave the benefit of the doubt. He tested the spirits by trying to grasp his brothers’ motives.

12.   Joseph did not let bitterness overtake his love for his father and brothers; authenticating love covers a multitude of sins.

13.   Joseph was open to God’s purpose in his life even when that purpose caused him pain and suffering.

14.   Joseph forgave and let go of the past.

15.   Joseph honored his father even though he had worldly authority over his father.

16.   Joseph looked forward to God’s promises fulfilled, verified by his desire for his bones to be taken to the land of promise.

17.   Joseph’s sons reaped his obedience to God, recognized by God 's openhandedness toward Joseph’s sons receiving a son’s inheritance from Jacob.

18.   Joseph’s Life was not about Joseph, it was about God.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my contemplations.

 Blessings,
©Darla J. Smith
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