"And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt'" Genesis 41:41. At the age of thirty, Joseph, who was once a shepherd in the land of Canaan, stood before the Pharaoh of Egypt, the most powerful man in the world. In the amazing providence of God, this encounter would lead to Joseph becoming Prince over all Egypt. “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’”

-But not before he had been persecuted. Thirteen years earlier, Joseph’s brothers “hated him and could not speak peaceably to him” (Gen 37:4). They conspired to kill him and would have done so except for the restraining hand of God. Instead, they faked his death and sold him to a band of Ishmaelite traders going to Egypt.

Divisions often occur in families, and the closest of relationships are often the ones with the greatest conflict. Such division is to be expected, particularly regarding the things of God. Christ said, “I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt 10:35-36). Just as Joseph suffered at the hands of his brothers, so the experience of many believers is that their close relations are hostile to their faith. But Joseph did not return evil to his brothers. He never cursed them or sought revenge against them; rather, when the opportunity presented itself to repay their evil, he blessed them. As it is written, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21).

It was persecution that tried Joseph’s heart and proved it to be one of love for even his enemies. It was persecution that sent Joseph to Egypt in preparation for his future, and he would one-day rule Egypt.

-But not before he had been enslaved. When the Ishmaelite traders arrived in Egypt, they sold Joseph as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. Though wrongfully enslaved, there was no rebellion found in Joseph while in Potiphar’s house. He humbly accepted his position as a slave and sought the good of his master. He fulfilled the admonition of Paul that would come many years later: “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye service as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Eph 6:5). Joseph’s behavior in his enslavement exemplifies true submissiveness to the will of God. It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth, and before honor comes humility (Lam 3:27, Prov 15:33).

It was his enslavement to Potiphar that proved Joseph’s submission and faithfulness. It was enslavement in that very house that would bring him one step closer to his destiny, and he would one-day rule Egypt.

-But not before he had been tempted. After Joseph was exalted in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife began to seduce him, tempting him day after day (Gen 39:10). She continually spoke to him, seeking to entice him into adultery. Although there was plenty of opportunity for Joseph to sin without the notice of man, he feared the LORD and said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9).

Temptations to sin come in many forms, but they are overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit and the proper application of God’s word. When tempted, Christ said, “It is written...” (Matt 4:4), marking the scriptures as the weapon of God’s people to be used against sin and temptation. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). Proper application of God’s word involves more than knowing and saying it; drastic measures must also be taken to avoid sin. Joseph fled from the presence of Potiphar’s wife at the moment of greatest danger (Gen 39:12). In the same way, God’s people are to “flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim 2:22).

It was his response to temptation that proved Joseph’s righteousness and integrity. It was his response to temptation that would set the stage for the next chapter in his life, and he would one-day rule Egypt.

-But not before he had been imprisoned. Joseph’s trials went from bad to worse when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted adultery. Her rage over Joseph’s rejection caused her to seek vengeance upon him. Such treatment often occurs toward God’s people. Righteous deeds sometimes go unnoticed, but sometimes they are noticed for the worse. Heeding his wife, Potiphar placed Joseph in the prison.

There are times when trials appear to make logical sense to God’s people. In those times, they suspect how God is using their trials and that gives them more strength to endure. There are other times when the purposes of trials are hidden, and this is often the case when God’s people suffer for doing what is right. The pain is felt, but the purpose and the outcome are illusive. At such times, comfort comes in the knowledge that “when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). So it was with Joseph: “The word of the LORD tried him” (Psalm 105:19)-severely so-but he endured to please his God.

It was the prison that tried Joseph’s heart and severely tested his faith in God. It was the prison that prepared him to be a Prince, and he would one-day rule Egypt.

-But not before he had been forgotten. While in prison, Joseph interpreted the Chief Butler’s dream as a sign that Pharaoh would restore him to his position. He only requested that the Chief Butler remember him when that happened.

There are times when we think that we know what God is doing. Surely God had ordered everything so that the Chief Butler would realize Joseph’s righteousness and request that Pharaoh pardon him immediately. Surely, Joseph had endured the prison long enough, and the Chief Butler would now help to bring deliverance. Surely the trial had now come to an end. No, “the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Gen 40:23). It was not the time appointed by God.

How often our hopes are dashed when others forget us, mistreat us, or undervalue us. Deliverance seems to be at the door, but it is not to be because of the conduct of another. Even the Chief Butler later admitted his fault in forgetting Joseph (Gen 41:9). But it is God’s remembrance that brings deliverance. Man’s negligence cannot thwart God’s plan. God waited another two years before bringing Joseph before Pharaoh, showing us that our timing is often not God’s timing. His wisdom and knowledge consider every contingency and every path, everything possible as well as everything actual. He knows what to accomplish and when. Abraham and Sarah had the promised child, but they waited until Sarah was ninety years old. Moses, at the age of forty, thought that the time had come for him to deliver his people, but God first sent him to the wilderness for another forty years to tend sheep. But though God bears long with His people, He never forgets them. The time came, and Joseph became ruler of Egypt.

Let us, as Joseph, seek to be faithful to God in every circumstance. Let us wait upon God and not judge God’s doings merely by our outward circumstances. We would not judge the artist by the unfinished canvas, nor would we judge the architect by the unfinished building and the raw materials as yet unused. In due time, the greatness of God’s work will be seen and all things will give praise to His infinite wisdom. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:6-7).

In our next consideration, we will look at Joseph’s exaltation and some ways in which the life of Joseph points us to Christ.