Joseph's Story

Intro Joseph, the son of Jacob, was favored by his father but hated by his brothers. Out of jealousy, they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). He was taken to Egypt and became a servant in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Though Joseph served righteously, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of wrongdoing, and he was cast into prison (Genesis 39:20). Yet even in prison, “the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21), and he found favor in the eyes of the prison keeper. While imprisoned, he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40), foretelling that one would be restored and the other executed — and it happened exactly as he said. Two years later, when Pharaoh had troubling dreams no one could interpret, the cupbearer remembered Joseph (Genesis 41:9–14). Brought before Pharaoh, Joseph declared that interpretation belonged to God (Genesis 41:16), and he revealed that Pharaoh’s dreams foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh, seeing that the Spirit of God was with Joseph, appointed him second over all Egypt (Genesis 41:38–41). In God’s perfect plan, Joseph was raised from the pit to the palace to preserve life — including the very family that once betrayed him.