I decided a long time ago that a study of those examples is a much better way and a lot less painful way to learn. Through the study of their lives, I know I have gained the wisdom and understanding to make decisions that have allowed me to avoid many of the hard knocks that come through trial and error.
8. Joseph: The Man with a Divine Purpose | theranchhands.com
One of my favorite characters is Joseph. Next to Jesus, Joseph may be the greatest example of godly character and integrity in the Bible. For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance [bowed] to my sheaf. Joseph believed what the Lord had spoken, and he immediately announced it to his family: Joseph had heard from God.
You were created for a divine purpose as well! God may not speak to you through a dream, but if you will become determined to know His plan for your life, He will reveal it to you. As long as you can live without knowing His will for your life, you will. The Bible makes it very clear in Ephesians 5: Not only will the pursuit of your vision bring fulfillment, it will keep you on track. It did for Joseph. Joseph understood that what God had spoken to him and declared about him was true no matter what the circumstances indicated.
His own brothers had sold him into slavery and told his father he was dead. No longer the wealthy, well-dressed, favorite son, Joseph found himself on an auction block in a foreign land, stripped of everything—including his clothes. His rich Egyptian master stood beside him with all of the extravagance that came with abundant wealth, but the Bible forever records Joseph as being the truly prosperous one.
God views prosperity much differently than we do! Material things are not indicative of prosperity. True prosperity is knowing that God is with you.
True prosperity is keeping His vision alive in your heart. Joseph believed he was prosperous because he knew prosperity came from God, not man. He had an image on the inside that was not affected by circumstance, and it enabled Joseph to operate in faith. Instead of licking his wounds and complaining, Joseph served others and ministered wholeheartedly to their needs.
2. Joseph ministered to others in his darkest time
As he diligently labored, God blessed the work of his hands. If Joseph could do it, so can you. You have the same power dwelling on the inside of you that raised Jesus from the dead. Begin to see yourself as God sees you, a prosperous person, regardless of your physical circumstances. Recognize and acknowledge the fact that God is with you, that you are anointed and highly favored. Serve others with all your heart as unto the Lord. Eliminate murmuring and complaining, and replace them with praise and thankfulness, knowing God will complete what He has begun in your life.
Joseph maintained his integrity.
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And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Potiphar trusted Joseph completely! This had to be very tempting for a slave in his position, but Joseph refused to give in—no matter what the cost! He maintained his integrity, but it was not rewarded. In fact, he got just the opposite. Joseph was able to maintain his integrity because he was not concerned with what man thought. He did not consider the benefits or consequences of his actions based on what Potiphar, his master, might do. Notice his reasoning in Genesis It was a joyous reunion between a grieved father and lost son.
Joseph was a man of strong beliefs. He not only strived to do what was right but also to do it the right way. When his betrothed Mary came to him with the news of her pregnancy, he knew the child could not be his. Joseph decided he would break the engagement but determined to do it in such a way that it would not bring shame to Mary. He wanted to be just, acting with fairness and love. God instructed Joseph to marry the young woman and honor her virginity until the baby was born.
Joseph obeyed the Lord. This must have been initially very difficult for Joseph to reconcile in his natural mind. But Joseph had to be a very spiritual and faithful man of integrity.
It is not known how long Joseph was in the life of Jesus but he realized from the moment of the heavenly visit that Jesus was to be very special. The last time Joseph was mentioned in the Bible was when Jesus was 12 years old. We can assume, that being the honorable man he was, Joseph fulfilled the role of earthly father to the best of his ability with all the love any man can have for his son.
Joseph was given and fulfilled the role of protector, provider and teacher, raising the young boy without any further reservation.
The Bible Story of Joseph
God provided Joseph with assurance, strength, and the abilities of leadership to raise the child who was brought to be Savior. Joseph in the Bible — Lessons from the two Josephs By reading the stories of both men, we find that they were men of great integrity. Both men were tried and tested by events in life that could have left them bitter or angry.
- Genesis 37.
- The Imagibles 2: Snarl the Brave?
- Genesis 39.
- Richard II and the Rebel Earl (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series).
- What Does the Bible Say About Joseph??
Instead, they had close relationships with God in which they remained steadfast, regardless of the undeserved adversities and trials they were forced to endure. Both Josephs were men of great faith and open to hearing in their spirits what God intended for them and their lives to come. God proved through them that social position is of little importance to God, bringing them each from a meager standing to roles of great importance and example.