Lessons from the

Life of Joseph
Genesis 37-47
 Genesis 39:2-3
  2The LORD was with Joseph, so he
succeeded in everything he did as he served in
the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar
noticed this and realized that the LORD was
with Joseph, giving him success in everything
he did.
 Genesis 41:38
 38Sothe king said to them, "No one could
possibly handle this better than Joseph, since
the Spirit of God is with him."
 Significant stages in Joseph’s life:
 Beloved son – Betrayed sibling
 Betrayed sibiling – Honored servant
 Honored servant – Condemned prisoner
 Condemned prisoner – Favored prime minister

 Joseph bounced back after every tragedy

in his life.
 Psalm 37:23-24
 “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes
his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not
fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
 STEWARDSHIP
 Biblical world view:  Central essence:
“Utilizing and Managing everything
managing all resources God brings into the
God provides for the believer’s life that
glory of God and the honors God and
betterment of his impacts eternity.
creation.”
Lessons we can learn from
the life of Joseph:

#1: Live a life of integrity

(Morality issue).
 Genesis 39:8-9 (CEV)
 8buthe refused and said, "My master isn't
worried about anything in his house, because
he has placed me in charge of everything he
owns. 9No one in my master's house is more
important than I am. The only thing he hasn't
given me is you, and that's because you are his
wife. I won't sin against God by doing such a
terrible thing as this."
 Who are you when no one is
looking? When no one will find out
what you did?
“Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful…”
(1 Cor.4:2)
Temptations will come
in all forms.

To be called faithful stewards, we

must resolve every moment of
everyday to live a life of integrity.
 4 important insights to help us
say NO to temptation:
 Do not be weakened by your situation.
 Do not be deceived by persuasion.
 Do not be gentle with your emotions.
 Do not be confused by the immediate
results.

“Resist the first tiny thrill of temptation, lest it widen a breach

big enough to admit the ocean. Remember that no
temptation can master you unless you admit it within.” - F.B.
Meyer
Reflection:
In what area am I usually tempted?

How do I respond to temptation?

Is God pleased with me when I am alone and

no one knows what I’m doing?

Am I living a life of integrity?

Lessons we can learn from
the life of Joseph:

#2: Look past the injustice and

unfairness of your situation and
focus on your attitude.
 3 ways where we all suffer unjustly:
 Undeserved treatment from family.
 Unexpected restrictions from circumstances.
 Untrue accusations from people.

 We cannot choose what happens to us. The

only thing we can choose is
our response to it.
“Everything can be taken from
a man but one thing: the last of
the human freedoms –
to choose one’s attitude in any
given set of circumstances,
to choose one’s own way.”
- Viktor Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning)
 1 Peter 2:20
 “For what credit is there if, when you sin
and are harshly treated, you endure it with
patience? But if when you do what is right
and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this
finds favour with God.”
 “True greatness is revealed,
not in vast miraculous actions,
but in daily attitudes that have
been shaped according to God’s
perspective and compassion.”
– Charles Swindoll
Reflection:
Think of one incident of harsh treatment
you have had to endure.

How did you respond to it?

What does your response reveal about

your attitude?
 Lessons we can learn from
the life of Joseph:

#3: Trust in God while waiting for

His answer to your prayer.
 Job 23:10
 But he knows the way that I take; when he has
tested me, I will come forth as gold.
 Isaiah 40:29-31
 He gives strength to the weary and increases
the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired
and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they
will walk and will not be faint.
 More verses: Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 30:5
Reflection:
What is it that you are waiting for:
a job, a promotion, a mate, a child?
Justice, relief, healing?

What can I learn from this season of

waiting?

What is God telling me?

 Lessons we can learn from
the life of Joseph:

#4: Always remember to give God

the glory.
 When God started opening doors for
Joseph, he never forgot to point people to
where credit is due.

 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharoah,

“but God will give Pharoah the answer he
desires.” Gen. 41:16
Reflection:
Think of recent accomplishments and
successes.

- Have I thanked God for it?

- Did I give Him the credit for it?
- Did people know that I was able
to do it because of God?
Lessons we can learn from
the life of Joseph:

#5: Live a life of integrity.

(Work ethics issue)
Genesis 46:31-47:26
 Basic facts in the working world:
 The way we do our work is a revealing
display of character.

 Work is a demanding arena of pressure.

 Work is an exacting test of our efficiency.

 Dr. Jekyll &
Mr. Hyde
Syndrome
Who are you when you’re at home?
Who are you when you’re at work?
Who are you when you’re at church?
 Joseph’s Work Ethics:
 He planned with wise objectivity.
Genesis 46:31-34

 He submitted to authority with loyal accountability.

Genesis 47:1-7

 He arranged for survival with personal integrity.

Genesis 47:14

 He accepted the challenge with innovative creativity.

Genesis 47:20-26
Reflection:
Step out of your shoes and into
your co-workers’.

How do you think they would

describe what it’s like to work
with you?
Lessons from the
Life of Joseph