Joseph – a Good Man Wronged

By Michael Griego on September 15, 2023 • ( 0 )

Every life can have purpose and be restored. Amazing what can happen in the lifetime of one fully surrendered under the authority of God. ◊

Ever see a good man wronged? You know what I mean. An innocent man railroaded by his enemies for crimes he didn’t do. A conspiracy of evil-doers who hide their own crimes and cast lies and aspersions on another person who takes the fall and even ends up in jail.

And it always seems that the bad guys get away with it.

Happens all the time on TV. And in real life too.

And in real life in the Bible.

Joseph, Son of Jacob
Joseph was the eleventh of the twelve sons of Jacob, the man whose name was later changed by God to Israel. Joseph was Rachel’s first born in a dysfunctional, nomadic family of four wives (two of which were maids). This favored son, even as a young teenager had the sense of right and wrong, honesty and bold frankness.

This boldness got him into deep trouble after sharing his odd but compelling dreams that his brothers and parents would one day bow down to him in authority. (See Genesis 37)

Good Man Wronged
As his story unfolds, he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and is transported to Egypt. We are twice told that “the Lord was with Joseph” – once when he gains the trust of his master, Potiphar, and then again after he is cast into prison with slanderous false accusations by Potiphar’s wife. (See Genesis 39)

Even in prison Joseph is given success – “the Lord caused all he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:3) – as well as love and human favor – “the Lord showed him steadfast love, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21).

In addition to being a good and righteous young man, Joseph was amazingly patient, steadfast and forgiving. Over these roller-coaster years, Joseph could hardly have known that God was orchestrating circumstances which would make possible the fulfillment of his dreams.

He stayed in Potiphar’s house and in prison for 13 years. We know that he was in prison for at least 2 years – scripture tells us he stayed in prison 2 years after his successful interpretation of the prophetic dreams of the chief butler and baker. (See Genesis 40).

Heavenly Favor
His God-led interpretation of Pharaoh’s own prophetic dream is what catapults him from prisoner to second-in-command over all the land of Egypt. He was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (See Genesis 41)

An incredible ride of fortune and righteousness is further played out in his emotional revelation to his brothers and father after over 20 years since they had last seen him. (See Genesis 45)

The Lord blessed Joseph further until his death at age 110 (see Genesis 50).

His aged father, Jacob, and extended 70-member family (his 11 brothers and their families), moved to Egypt to live with Joseph and eventually became, after 400 years, the Hebrews (the nation of Israel) enslaved by a later Pharaoh and delivered by another patient and righteous man.

Read the story of Moses beginning in Exodus 1.

So What is This?
It is not a morality tale. It is not a made-up story. It is not just a fascinating Bible adventure story for children. It is documented human history of the origin of the Jewish nation and its founders, the 12 sons of Jacob, son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Recall Abraham was first introduced in Genesis 12.

And Joseph, one of those 12 sons, was a man of purpose and restoration. But not of his own purpose. And he was not restored by any of his own doing, but out of his obedience and surrendered devotion to God, who led and directed his path in all ways through thick and thin, through times of gain and loss.

God blessed Joseph because God had a purpose that was to be played out. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses were obedient to that purpose though they scarcely understood what they were doing, apart from their own obedience.

And even we today are part of a purpose being played out, should we choose to be obedient and devoted to the God of Creation, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And we now know that the God of Creation was manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive today and reigns over His spiritual Kingdom through His Holy Spirit.

And though evil still abounds and good men are wronged, the war has been won as the power of God is more powerful than the power of this world. Therefore, today we too can live with that same confidence and peace like Joseph until God’s final restoration.

Do you live today in confidence and peace like Joseph?
_________________________
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers…and Joseph brought an ill report of them to their father. (Genesis 37:2)