Joseph in the Bible

Joseph, the son of Jacob, is one of Scripture's most moving examples of how God works good through suffering. He was his father's favorite: "Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons... and he made an ornate robe for him" (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism, along with Joseph's dreams of greatness, stirred his brothers' jealousy until they sold him into slavery: "they sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt" (Genesis 37:28). What looked like the end of his story was only the beginning of God's purpose. In Egypt, even as a slave and later a prisoner, "the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered" (Genesis 39:2). His integrity under temptation and his God-given ability to interpret dreams eventually brought him before Pharaoh, who set him over all Egypt: "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:41). Through Joseph's wise administration during seven years of famine, countless lives were saved, including those of the very brothers who had betrayed him. The heart of Joseph's story is his stunning grace toward those brothers. When they came to Egypt for food, he revealed himself: "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!" (Genesis 45:4). Rather than seek revenge, he saw God's hand: "it was not you who sent me here, but God" (Genesis 45:8). His final words to them crown the whole narrative: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). Joseph teaches that God's sovereignty is greater than human evil, that the Lord can redeem our deepest wounds, and that those who trust him can forgive freely, knowing he is working all things for good.