Life of Joseph.

Yesterday I went for a bible study with my CG on Joseph and I really really liked what was being shared so I will share a few snippets here:

1. Joseph's success was determined by His presence

Joseph a Slave in Egypt

39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

It's so amazing right that the Lord was with Joseph wherever he went and that determined his success.

Not his position, not his status but the presence of the Lord.

In v4, it says that after Joseph found favour, he proceeded to serve Potiphar. 

That's another level of submission.

When you know you have the favour of God, there's no need to be proud but there's so much wisdom in being humble and submitting to your masters. 

Be it your bosses at your workplace or teachers in your school or leaders in ministry. 

There is wisdom in submission.

Sathis posed this question: Why was Joseph being handsome in form and appearance mentioned last?

The Lord could have placed it in front too but it came after.

God wants us to know that it isn't our good looks and outward appearance that contributes to the favour of God on us.

Nothing in and of ourselves can earn His favour.

2. Your perception of God affects the way you make choices

7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Even Potiphar's wife saw the glorious beauty of Joseph and tempted him.

But here was his response and perspective of God.

"nor has he kept back anything from me"

Joseph knew that Potiphar has not withheld anything from him, just his wife.

This reminded me of Adam and Eve in the garden when the serpent tempted them.
The serpent said, "but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 

It shifted Adam and Eve's perspective away from "every tree of the garden you may freely eat" to "you must not touch it, or you will die."

I think that is very interesting.

When we know the free favours of God and we know that He simply gives us an alternative choice so that we can have freedom of choice, we will not do what is harmful to ourselves.

It is hesed wisdom that Joseph understood the grace (undeserving favour) and wisdom of God (to not commit adultery with Potiphar's wife).

In Joseph's eyes, it was a decision between him and God, with no one else in between.

"How can I sin against God?"

That is a wonderful perspective - to see God there in the midst of temptation.

3. His heart is for you to be at rest

Before Joseph could get out of prison, his heart was very anxious.
Anxious that the butler and baker would forget him. Anxious because he might be trapped there for the rest of his life.
His words were:

14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

He was very concerned about how his life would turn and very immersed in himself.
God knew this and allowed him to go through his trial that his heart might be at peace.

At the end of his 2 years in prison, he was a man at rest.

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. 

When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

He took the time to shave and change his clothes, instead of being in a hurry.
He was flowing in the unforced rhythms of grace simply by being at peace.
That's the state that God wants you to be in.

4. His plans are greater than yours

So the story continues that Joseph went into prison for a crime he did not commit.

It seemed like Joseph was going in a downward spiral.

From brother, to slave, to prisoner.

What could be worse?

But in God's perspective, Joseph was closer and closer to who God has called him to be.

From meeting his Hebrew family, to Potiphar, to the King's butler.

He became nearer to those who are close to Pharoah.

That blew my mind.

In the natural, we always feel like we don't see us being victorious in life.

But in the supernatural, God is placing us in the right place at the right time to meet the people we need to meet.

If you are asking God, why am I here?

Why am I falling lower?

You know what, beloved? The Lord is bringing you closer to your destiny and His plans for you are much greater than what you have in your life.

He will bring you to your calling once your character is shaped and moulded to receive your position.

Such that your calling wouldn't destroy you because of pride.

The Lord is so gracious and kind.

He wouldn't leave you the way you came in.

You are always going to a better place.

You are better than the person you were before.

You are growing.

You have grown.