Scripture Reading: Genesis 30:23–24

Introduction

A. Joseph’s very name indicates that his birth was taken as a sign of even greater things to come (Genesis 30:24).

B. The story of Joseph’s life is one of the best known in the Bible, but what makes it so remarkable isn’t what happens to Joseph; it is how Joseph responds to it.

Discussion

I. From Joseph we learn that life isn’t always fair.

A. Joseph didn’t grow up in an ideal family setting (Genesis 34; 37:2; 35:22; 38).

B. Joseph was hated without a cause (Genesis 37:3–9).

C. Joseph was mistreated at every turn (Genesis 37:12–28).

II. From Joseph we learn that we can do right no matter what.

A. Joseph refused to allow circumstances to dictate his actions (Genesis 39:7–12).

B. Joseph allowed reason to drive his actions, not his emotions (Genesis 42:8–24; 43:24–31; 44:14–34).

C. Joseph’s story is all but relived by Daniel and his companions in Babylon (Daniel 1:3–4, 8, 18–21; 2:27–30; 6:1–4).

III. We learn that we should remember some things and forget others.

A. Joseph had to forget some things (Genesis 41:51; 50:15–21).

B. Joseph never forgot about the God of his fathers (Genesis 37:5–11; 50:24–26).

C. God never forgot about Joseph (Genesis 39:1–6, 20–23).

Conclusion

A. Joseph teaches us that we cannot let circumstances control us.

B. He also teaches us that we needn’t seek to exalt ourselves, for God will exalt the faithful in due time (James 4:10; Philippians 2:5–11).