Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth Genesis 37:2 Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:46 PrayerSongsOffering Bible study Lord’s Supper AnnouncementsPrayer

Joseph’s life summarized Favorite son of his father Jacob/Israel, his brothers hated him because of this (Joseph 17 years old 37:2) His brothers sold him into slavery and told their father that a wild animal had killed him He eventually is taken to Egypt by his captors Joseph begins to work for a man named Potiphar, an Egyptian army officer Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce Joseph sexually. Joseph refuses her attempts but she accuses him of attempting to rape her. Joseph is put into prison where he is given a responsible position

Joseph’s life summarized He interprets the dreams of two prisoners who had been assistants to Pharaoh. After being released from prison one of these assistants is returned to Pharaoh’s service Pharaoh has a troubling dream he doesn’t understand Pharaoh’s assistant who had been in prison with Joseph remembers how Joseph interpreted his dream and tells Pharaoh about it. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream (seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine) Because of this interpretation Joseph is made a ruler in Egypt (Joseph 30 years old, 41:37)

Joseph’s life summarized When the famine has an impact upon Joseph’s family in Canaan, Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain They appear before Joseph to buy grain but do not recognize him as their brother, although Joseph recognizes them Joseph eventually reveals his identity to his brothers and has them go back to Canaan and bring all of the family to Egypt where they are taken care of during the years of famine

Life isn’t fair Sold into slavery 37:18-36 Falsely accused 39:7-18 Imprisoned unjustly 39:19-23 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. Ecclesiastes 7:15 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life

Do what is right regardless of the consequences Evil report regarding his brothers 37:2 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life

Make the best of your situation Do your best in whatever job you are assigned 39:1-6 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life

Maintain moral integrity Remain sexually pure 39:7-18 Flee from sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life

Practice forgiveness 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, 45:4-5a Be kind to one another, tender- hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life

Reliance on God’s providence for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt…as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 45:5b-8; 50:20 I will return to you again if God wills Acts 18:21 Practical lessons from Joseph’s life