2007-10-16 15:02:27 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Even though Joseph was his father's favorite, he didn't let it go to his head or act like a spoiled child. When his brother's sold him into captivity, rather than sit back, cry and look for revenge, he took the time to work for God as he reached out to help others. God rewarded him for that so when his brothers came later, he didn't treat them with hate or disdain, he embraced them with a loving and forgiving heart. He used his life to better the life of all of those around him, taking something bad and turning it into good because he had great faith in God that no matter what the situation, God would get him through it.
He shows unconditional love
He turns a bad situation into good
He helps all those around him
His faith never waivered
He had a heart full of forgiveness for those who had wronged him
This is one of my favorite stories :) We can all learn so much about how we should act when things go bad and how to treat others regardless of how they have treated us.
2007-10-16 15:31:43 · answer #1 · answered by KittyKat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many scholars say that Joseph's life is a parallel to that of Christ's. Starting even with how their stories began (both with a dream) So on that note, the lessons are endless. A few good one's that can involve telling a 10 minute story to children or result in a few month Bible study into the life of Christ, here is what I have (all of which are described in greater detail by much more scholarly people then myself, I noted my sources, the first two points are all briefly found on the first website, and it should be matched up almost all the way down) :
1. How prosperity/success can test you more than hardship
2. What it means to live a God dependent life
3. The destructive power of envy
4. What it means to build Godly character
5. What it means to forgive
6. There are many "lessons in the wilderness" that come out of Joseph's life as well
Also, the last link I included involves a heavy online commentary prepared well and outlines four main focuses for the chapter in Genesis on Joseph.
I don't want to make this too long! I hope it helps somewhat and is not too cluttered. Joseph has an amazing story. One could spend a year just telling it and bringing all the meaning out of it.
Enjoy!
2007-10-16 22:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by elizabeth 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Joseph had more things than many of us will ever had thrown at him throughout life, but he made the best of each situation with God's help.
He was sold into slavery by his brothers, which led him to work with Potiphar. When Potiphar's wife accused him of attempting rape, he was tossed in jail.
During that period of time, he interpreted two other prisoners' dreams. One told Pharaoh of his gift from God. Pharoah asked Joseph to interpret the dream and when Joseph did so, Pharoah put him as second command over all of Egypt. He saved all the people from the famine, including his own family. God used each of these "misfortunes" and when they were all put together, it all came to allowing Joseph to be the one to same his family and Egypt fromthe famine because Joseph continued trusting that God had a bigger plan than he could see.
2007-10-16 22:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No matter what happens to you, God will always find a way to bless you. Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. This took him to Egypt where he was thrown in jail, falsely accused of raping a woman, etc. However, his ability to interpret dreams won the favor of the Pharoah and he moved up the ranks to become governor of Egypt. With all the hardship he endured, Joseph never lost faith.
He did reconcile with his brothers later on when they made trips to and from Egypt.
2007-10-17 13:53:50 · answer #4 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lesson I gathered from Joseph in Genesis is that God's plan will come to pass no matter what. No person can stop it. His brothers threw him in a pit to die and later sold him to a slave. He was thrown in jail. He could've been offended with God but he wasn't. He ended up being a great leader in Egypt. Christians everywhere should think of what he went through when people come into our lives and disrupt them, leaving us feeling displaced.
2007-10-16 22:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
There are several:
We learn from both his mistake (bragging to his brothers), as well as his parents (playing favorites) and his brothers (selling him as slave & faking his death) about the dangers of a dysfunctional family and sibling rivalry.
We learn from his experience with Potiphar's wife about the dangers of being falsely accused.
We learn from his experiences as Potiphar's servant (prior to above incident) and rising from prisoner to king's right hand man about perseverance and faith despite hopeless looking circumstances.
We learn through all his dreaming and dream interpreting that he was very intuitive to the voice of the Lord to have been given this ability. I don't believe God speaks us today in dreams exactly like this, but He does reveal Himself to us through His Holy Spirit and we have stay close to Him in order to "hear" that still small voice and know His will.
We learn from his financial and business savvy about saving up during good years to make it through the lean years. This is just one more detail in God's plan working things together.
We learn about reconciliation and forgiveness through the account of how he handled the reunion with his brothers. I love his statement to them, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." I can relate to that in reference to others hurting me and how God was able to bring blessings out of it.
We learn that you can "take the boy out of the Promised Land, but you can't take the Promised Land out of the boy."
Despite everything that had happened to him he still considered Canaan home and was promised that he would be returned to be buried there.
2007-10-17 15:16:52 · answer #6 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i guess joseph appears in other chapter ......when he saw his brothers again in egypt.....and he treated them like garbage.....and then he reveals his identity and asked for his father
2007-10-16 22:12:07 · answer #7 · answered by daalmelo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What goes around comes around.
2007-10-16 22:04:53 · answer #8 · answered by Aeon Enigma 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you have lots of brothers, and you're daddy's favorite, watch your back.
2007-10-16 22:05:10 · answer #9 · answered by Pull My Finger 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
errrrrr... i got nothin'
2007-10-16 22:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋