OT: Character Sketch of Joseph

CHARACTER SKETCH OF JOSEPH

Old Testament History and Literature

1. What The Scripture Says About Joseph
1. Major Events
2. Scripture’s Evaluation of Joseph
2. How Joseph’s Life is an Example for Christians
1. Joseph’s Leadership Qualities
2. How Joseph’s Story Applies to Christians

What the Scriptures Say About Joseph

Major Events

The story of Joseph is found in Genesis 37-50. He is seventeen when Scripture begins to detail his story. Joseph is one of two sons of Jacob (Israel) and Rachel, and he had ten half brothers. He was a shepherd, and his father’s favorite. Jacob had made Joseph a coat of many colors, and his brothers were sorely jealous. Joseph would have dreams that implied that his brothers and parents would serve him one day, and this added fuel to the fire for the brothers. One day they sought to exact their revenge on Joseph, and threw him into a pit with no water. Not long after, the bitter brothers sold Joseph into slavery for silver, and connived a story for their father that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animals.

Joseph finds himself in Egypt and works diligently for Potiphar, a prominent Egyptian. He did well there, and was put over all the Potiphar owned. While he was away, Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph, but he escaped from her. She was very cunning and powerful, however, and had convinced her household and husband that Joseph had tried to persuade her. Joseph was thrown into prison. While in prison he interpreted dreams for the Pharaoh’s household staff. Pharaoh had a fitful dream and called upon Joseph to interpret it. Joseph predicted the rise and fall of nations and of feast and famine in the land. Pharaoh was so impressed that he promoted Joseph to oversee the abundance of the land to be stored for the famine. At the close of Genesis 41, Joseph is indeed very powerful and successful in Egypt.

During the famine, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for supplies. Joseph does not let on his identity but tests them. He sends the brothers back for Benjamin to see the veracity of their story. He also tests them by hiding “stolen” money and items in their grain sacks. Finally the brothers pass all tests of character and it is a very touching moment when Joseph weeps with joy as he reveals himself to his brothers. He blesses them abundantly and sends for his father and makes arrangements to provide for his entire family to move to the land of Goshen in Egypt.

Scripture’s Evaluation of Joseph

The Bible portrays Joseph as a diligent worker, a discerning follower, and a benevolent brother. Joseph’s diligence is shown as soon has he introduced in Scripture. As a shepherd he took his job seriously and reported to his father, his overseer, of his brothers’ indolence in the fields. Joseph also started out as a slave in Egypt and worked his way up to the master of prominent Potiphar’s household. Again Joseph found himself in the pit again as he is in the Egyptian jail, but not for long. By God’s sovereignty he is promoted from the lowly prisoner to second in command over all of the land. Joseph’s work ethic was to do what God gave to him with diligence!

As a discerning follower of YHWH, Joseph’s mind was attuned to Him. When God have Joseph dreams, he did not second guess himself. He recognized it as a gift from the Almighty and used it to His glory.

Being a benevolent brother must have been very hard for Joseph. He knew his worth and value, but his brothers did not. They treated him with the dishonorably, and had hurt Joseph deeply. When they are finally reunited, one would notice that Joseph does not immediately run into their arms. He has to test their remorse. When he realized that his brothers’ hearts were changed, he finally revealed himself to them with his whole heart. Out of his benevolence and forgiveness he provides for their needs, and allotted a place for them in Egypt.

How Joseph’s Life is an Example for Christians

Joseph’s Leadership Qualities

God formed Joseph in to a leader that had essentially saved both Israel and Egypt. Because Joseph listened to God, he did not fail when he was sent to Egypt. In a land that was completely foreign to Him, he obeyed God’s voice and prospered. Genesis 45:7-8 says “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God”. God gave Joseph character, faith, and a vision.

Joseph built up character through the hardships he faced. His brothers hated him, his father hushed him, his family washed their hands of him, his master’s wife tricked him, and he was forgotten by those whom he had helped in prison. Through all of this Joseph was stripped so that he was only able to rely on God to see him through, to deliver him. And he was obedient.

Another leadership quality that Joseph had was integrity. He could not lie to his father about the shepherding style of his brothers. He wanted his father to prosper with the least bit of waste. Joseph also showed integrity when he refused Potiphar’s wife. We know this must have been a difficult position for Joseph, but because he had already set his mind to following God, he did not fall to her advances.

The last leadership quality that Joseph had was vision. Joseph was a careful planner. He had long term goals and ideas that were will constructed and accurate. When Pharaoh asked him for advice, Joseph responded with a clear plan. He had a strategy for the famine to come. When he sent his brothers for his family to move to Egypt, Joseph had a proposition ready to make the move easiest for them. 

How Joseph’s Story Applies to Christians

Joseph’s story has an abundance of practical truths for Christians. It also contains a few keys for parents. First, it is important not to pick favorites from one’s children. Second, It is important, however, to spend time with one’s children to instill in them a knowledge of the Holy One, and to listen to His voice. At the age of seventeen Joseph already understood this. 

Third, Christians must be diligent with the work that the Father has given them. This is a testimony of His goodness, and he will bless the efforts of his children. Fourth, Christians must have a mindset that reflect’s God’s character, and they must stick to it. If Joseph had not guarded himself against temptation, he would have been at the mercy of Potiphar’s wife. Fifth, It is important to know your spiritual gift, and to use it for the glory of the Father. Joseph knew that his dreams were from the Lord, and utilized it to further God’s kingdom. 

The last thing that Christians can learn from the story of Joseph is forgiveness. If Joseph did not learn to forgive his brothers, he would have missed out on the blessings of having a family surrounding and supporting him. He would have also been out of God’s will, since He had divinely purposed for Israel to move to Egypt for provision.