Joseph: A Leader in Faithfulness

Joseph is a prominent character in Genesis for many reasons, one of which is his life of faithfulness toward God and fellowman {1}. He is also somewhat a picture of Christ, the most faithful person, and thus his life illustrates what every disciples life should be. This message considers the life of Joseph as recorded from Genesis 37 to 41 wherein we will see eight aspects of his faithfulness. Like holiness, faithfulness toward God is a necessity for Eternal Life (Revelation 2:10d be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. Of course we are not saved by works, but, if Christ truly dwells within, His faithfulness through us will blossom. And, as we said, Joseph is somewhat a picture of Christ. Indeed, Joseph was faithful (All main references are in Genesis.) . . . I. To Proclaim Gods Will 37:5-11 While the Word does not reveal Josephs motives for relating his two prophetic dreams, the fact is he faithfully announced what God had planned and announced it to those who would be directly affected by His work. Today we have a greater responsibility since we have the entire written Word of God and the Word Himself dwelling within if we are truly born again. II. To Perform With Obedience 37:2, 12-17 Sadly, probably there are some people who name the Name of Christ today that Joseph should have never ratted, squealed, told on his brothers (verse 2). The truth is Christ Himself revealed the sins of sinners and we are to do the same under the direction of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:11). Verses 12 to 17 show he wilfully obeyed his earthly father. If we are faithful to God we will faithfully obey those we are under. The exception to this, of course, is when we are asked or told to do something that is contrary to Gods will. III. Despite Problems 39:1-6 Just because we are faithful to proclaim the truth and be obedient does not mean we are exempt from problems. In fact, if we consider the life of Christ our problems might just grow. 39:1 shows us part of the plight of Joseph. He has been sold as a slave. He is separated from his family and homeland. He is in a strange land. But the fact that he remained faithful to God is seen in verses 2-6 where YHWH was with him and he prospered. IV. In Private 39:7-12 He was faithful to God even when he was alone with a woman. I have alone in quotes because we must realize the spiritual world is always around. If you read these verses you will see he pointed out to Potiphar's wife that he would not sin against God nor man. Verse 11 shows that not only did he refuse to have se-x {2} with her he even refused to be with her. V. In Prison 39:13-40:22 Being falsely accused by Potiphars shameful wife Joseph goes to prison, but even there we see he remains faithful in trusting God, and also in serving God for he was entrusted

to help his fellow prisoners. At this point I feel led of Gods Spirit to bring to your attention that if you notice, Joseph was busy serving others before he was in prison and while he was in prison. I have personally found that staying busy for the Lord helps to prevent one from becoming depressed. I am sure that both the thought of being sold by his brothers and the fact he was falsely accused and placed in prison troubled him at times but we see he kept busy. VI. Despite Pain 40:23 When we get to this verse Joseph had successfully interpreted the dreams of two men, viz. the chief baker and cup bearer. The former would be executed and the latter restored to his position. Joseph asked the chief cup bearer to remember him before Pharaoh, but the cup bearer forgot, and forgot for two years. I get the impression this was the lowest point for Joseph. While the Holy Bible does not say this happened, I can very well imagine the devil was trying to have Joseph give up on God and cave in to sin. But, based on the remaining chapters that cover his life we see that Joseph remained firm in God. No doubt he realized that though man is unfaithful, God is always faithful. VII. Despite Sudden Prosperity 40:1-41:49 What happens next is quite amazing, for Joseph is catapulted from a dismal prison to a position of great authority in one day. What I have seen, and know that some of this is resident within my own being, is there is something within the sinful nature of some of us that after we struggle for many years then are brought into some realm of prosperity there is a tendency to relax our guard and / or indulge in some pleasurable things. While the former should never be done there is certainly a time to have non-sinful pleasure. Let us choose the subject of golf. In itself it is not sinful and exercises both mind and body. However, let us say that after years of struggling one takes it up, but when they do, they must be careful the game does not dominate ones life or adversely affect any of the directives from the Lord. Nor should resources like time and money be affected by the new activity. I have seen some minister who struggled over the years and then there is a change for them. Their finances become more than adequate. Their life becomes more pleasant. They begin to enjoy a few non-sinful things but as time goes on they increasingly get into self-gratification. For some, sin finally crept in and ruined their ministry. Instead of sudden prosperity and fame affecting him, Joseph remained faithful to God. I just wonder when he realized that God had a plan when he was sent to Egypt. I know it is recorded in the Word that he recognized that fact but it does not say when it first came to his mind. We, too, must realize in prosperity that we must stay on guard and remain faithful to God and what He has given us to do. VIII. Faithful To Give God Praise 41:51-52 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my fathers house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

This early indicator of Joseph giving God the glorious credit for what He had done in his life is one of a number of other times in Genesis we see him giving God the credit and pointing out to others the mighty work of God through His providence. Joseph did not point to his own abilities, but faithfully pointed to God. There is not one hint that Joseph was vengeful toward his brothers. Instead, meekness ruled in his life and because He rightfully judged God as being faithful, God caused him to be faithful. Joseph is an Old Testament (OT) character and I like using OT people to illustrate attributes like faithfulness made even more powerful today by the grace of God through Christ. The OT people did not have a full set of Holy Scripture and awaited the efficacious work of Christ on the cross. In other words it might be said they had less to go on than what we do. To add to the power of the Holy Spirit is available to every believer. We have no reason not to be faithful to Christ. If you are not a true Christian consider well how God worked in Josephs life to make a better person out of him. He loves you no less, so I encourage you to really surrender to God, confessing you are a sinner, turning from sin, and enthrone Jesus as Lord of your life by becoming baptized in His saving name.