Who Was Joseph?

Joseph was one of the Bible's greatest stories of a young overconfident boy, who eventually was given charge of all of Egypt. His natural self-assurance, increased by being Jacob's favorite son and knowing of God's designs on his life, was unbearable to his ten older brothers. In fact his brothers conspired to get rid of him and eventually settled on selling him to a slave merchant. And to top it off, they came back and told their father Jacob that Joseph had been killed by some ferocious beast. In spite of all this Joseph's self-assurance, molded by pain and combined with his personal knowledge of God, allowed him to prosper where others would have failed.

Joseph was betrayed and deserted by his family, exposed to sexual temptation and punished for doing the right thing. He endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. As you read his story in Genesis, note what Joseph did in each case. His positive response transformed each setback into a step forward. Joseph didn't spend much time asking "Why?" His approach was "What shall I do now?"

Those who met Joseph were aware that wherever he went and whatever he did, God was with him.

Do you ask God what to do now? Do you know God? Do you know Jesus?

Are you certain that you are going to heaven? If the answer is no or your not really sure and there is something stirring inside you at this very moment to do this, then all you have to do is say a small prayer and you can be assured of your name being added to the Book of Life. Go to the prayer of salvation and pray the words out loud and believe in your heart and you will be saved.

Joseph's story is told in Genesis 30 - 50. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:22.

Content provided in whole or part by IBS-STL Global Life Application Study Bible, NIV.