From The Pit To The Palace

It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

Genesis 45:5

IMAGINE JOSEPH’S FEARS and feelings as his brothers dropped him into the pit. Surely they were just playing a sick joke on him. Wouldn’t they come pull him out any minute? Did he beg them to stop the abuse? Did he hear them haggling with the merchants who bought him?

Fast-forward to Joseph’s life as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s top officers. We’re told that God was with Joseph and made everything he did successful (Genesis 39:3-4). Potiphar grew to trust him. So what had caused Joseph to grow in godly character?

First of all, humility must have come as the result of becoming a slave, isolated from his family (Genesis 39:1). His reputation for integrity was earned by loyalty and faithful service to his master. Remember, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he ran away (Genesis 39:12). Then she lied to get him imprisoned (Genesis 39:17). Again, Joseph proved honest and upright, even through his years in prison.

The kind of wisdom that made Joseph trustworthy—for example, interpreting dreams about a great famine—could have come only from God (Genesis 41:15-16). Finally, Joseph showed a lot of compassion and forgiveness when his brothers appeared years later, asking to purchase grain (Genesis 45:4). Joseph was finally reunited with his father and family.

BOTTOM LINE

God rewarded Joseph’s faithfulness, but it took a while. If you’re in a pit right now, don’t give up. Believe that God is able to bring good out of it.

Moment of Strength: Genesis 39:1-19