On April 11, 2023, my brand new Bible study through Concordia Publishing House hits the shelves: Meant For Good: A Study of Joseph. And here’s the cover!
Similar to the depth of my Esther study, this study goes deep into the life of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. Joseph’s biography occupies more space in Genesis than those of Adam, Noah, Abraham, or even his own father, Jacob.
Although that should be reason enough to study Joseph’s incredible journey, he experiences family conflict and unfair treatment that many of us can relate to today.
What You Can Expect
This Bible study has meat and lots of it. Did you expect any less? Over eight weeks with five days in each lesson, we dive deep into Joseph’s incredible journey from Canaan to Egypt.
Get your bible, pencils, notepads and bible highlighters ready, because we take an epic adventure through Genesis 37-50. New insights and familiar passages are sprinkled through each week like treasures waiting to be re-discovered.
Each week includes an introductory of which chapters in Genesis will be covered, along with key questions to answer individually or in small groups.
Each week ends with a very special section called “Go Quiet, Go Deep.” This is where we take a pause from the journey. Quiet our minds from distraction. Remember what the Lord has showed us so far. And ask Him to make that lesson personal. Applicable. Relevant to us right now.
Joseph is a Portrait of Jesus
Out of all the Old Testament cast of characters, Joseph offers us a remarkable picture of Jesus. In my opinion, he more closely modeled Christ than any other. In countless ways, the life of Joseph illustrates the future life of Jesus. Specifically:
- A shepherd deeply loved by his father.
- Hated and rejected by his brothers.
- Put into a pit to die but was raised up.
- Sold for pieces of silver and turned over to Gentiles.
- Endured severe temptation but did not sin.
- Accused falsely but spoke no defense.
- Cast into prison yet shared a message of deliverance.
- Honored among Gentiles yet rejected by his brothers.
- Married a Gentile bride.
The Story
The story begins with Joseph in the land of Canaan as a seventeen-year-old dreamer—literally. As one of two sons born to Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel, favoritism plays a significant role in the story of Joseph. After all, Jacob had been his mother’s favorite.
In Jacob’s eyes, his son Joseph was the favorite even though he was not the oldest son. Joseph had ten older brothers and one younger brother. Sadly, Joseph’s mother Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, the youngest son.
God gave Joseph the extraordinary gift of interpreting dreams. However, Joseph had not yet mastered the art of tact, timing, or knowing his audience. When he tells his brothers that one day they will bow to him, it becomes clear that even though Joseph’s gift was intact, he was not able to read a room.
One day, Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are tending their flocks far away. But Joseph never makes it back home.
The 20-Year Saga
The brothers accost Joseph, strip him of his many-colored coat, and throw him into a waterless pit. They ignore his cries, decide to leave him in the pit to die, and sit down to enjoy lunch together. Then Judah offers up a Plan B to make some extra cash instead.
Then Jacob’s sons (all except Benjamin) agree to pull Joseph out of the pit and sell him to Midianite traders for twenty pieces of silver. They return to their father Jacob and promptly lie about what happened.
Pause a moment. Can you imagine what Joseph is feeling? He is rescued from the pit (yay!) only to be sold for money (what?) by his very own flesh and blood.
The Midianites take Joseph to the land of Egypt. Then Joseph is sold to Potiphar, who holds a significant position in Pharaoh’s Egyptian court, to work as a slave.
As Joseph works diligently in Potiphar’s home, Potiphar’s wife takes notice of Joseph and tries to entice Joseph into sleeping with her. He flees from temptation and her repeated offers, only to be falsely accused and thrown into prison.
Spiritual Bootcamp
And so begins Joseph’s spiritual boot camp which lasted more than twenty years. The amazing truth about God’s spiritual boot camps (basically, our whole life) is that He never leaves us. Ever. God’s faithfulness to us never wavers.
During those twenty years, Joseph oversees Potiphar’s home, eventually oversees the prison into which he was thrown, and interprets four additional dreams along the way. The whole time, the God of Abraham is working in Joseph’s life. Molding. Shaping. Preparing.
Even though Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his coat, they could not strip him of his godly character.
Egypt’s Second in Command
After interpreting Pharaoh’s two confusing dreams, Pharaoh elevates Joseph to the position of second in command over Egypt. In addition, God populated the house of Joseph with a wife and children. A new family. Even though Joseph was far from home, God blessed him in what Joseph referred to as “the land of my affliction.”
Eventually, all of Egypt understood that Joseph’s elevation to prominence was a good thing. Joseph’s diligence and excellent administrative skills successfully navigate Egypt through seven years of famine. His industrious, tireless work ended up providing a multitude of nations with food during the devastating famine.
Forgiveness
Joseph could have easily leveraged his powerful position to retaliate against his older brothers. He could have blamed them for stealing the life he had planned. He could have allowed hate and bitterness to take root in his heart. Instead, Joseph forgave wholeheartedly and embraced reconciliation.
We behold the Gospel story woven like a scarlet thread throughout Joseph’s narrative. The struggles that Joseph endured remind us how vital it is to let God’s love and forgiveness lead us.
Joseph’s story is not a rags-to-riches phenomenon. It is a picture of relentless, God-honoring faith.
For All the History Buffs
If you are a history buff like me, you will devour the historical smorgasbord in this Bible study. My previous study on Esther unearthed the nuances and culture of the Persian empire. With Joseph, we dive headlong into ancient Egypt. (Cue the singing of “Walk Like an Egyptian.”)
Ancient Egypt
Originally starting out as several independent cities along the Nile River, Egypt was formed from an Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, which unified around 3100 BC. Egypt was one the largest kingdoms of the ancient world and led the charge regarding cultural and economic influence until it was conquered in 332 B.C. by the Macedonians.
Joseph’s story takes place during the historical time of unified Egypt, which was considered to be one of Egypt’s greatest eras.
Egypt’s Pharaohs
We also study the historical timeline and Egyptian lineage particular to Joseph’s story. We peek into the fascinating world of Egyptian pharaohs. This Bible study pinpoints the precise pharaoh that Joseph would have served under according to historical fact.
This allows us the rare opportunity to discover what that pharaoh focused on and his geopolitical agenda. Consequently, we can ascertain some of the historical responsibilities that Joseph would have been responsible for under that pharaoh’s reign.
Joseph’s Lineage
As one of the sons of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers and Joseph’s sons eventually comprise the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph did not have his own tribe. There is no tribe of Joseph. However, the sons of Joseph – Ephraim and Manasseh – form the twelfth tribe together as a double portion of God’s blessing to Joseph.
The Lessons from Joseph Apply Today
Regardless of his circumstances, Joseph never wavered from following the Lord. He was a diligent worker, faithful witness, and capable administrator.
Joseph’s example issues a challenge even today: Will we choose to become victims of our circumstances and give up or will we trust God to bring beauty from ashes and excel?
Even though God would use Joseph mightily, the learning process was long. That same truth applies to us. It may be a long time before God deems us ready for the tasks He has planned for us.
I could not have written in-depth Bible studies twenty years ago. God’s instruction over time has produced a much better vintage.
Joseph could have given in to bitterness. Easily. Who would blame him? Yet he responded to broken dreams and difficult circumstances with a strong faith that propelled him from the pit of slavery to the pinnacle of power.
God Faithfully Prepares Us
God Almighty diligently prepared Joseph to help Egypt’s great nation survive utter destruction. But that preparation did not come in a safe classroom. Joseph learned and honed his extraordinary administrative gifts in two places he never thought he would be – in slavery and in prison.
We may not be able to see how God is preparing us during our difficult times, but rest assured there is a holy purpose for our pain.
The Bottom Line
Even though Joseph experienced extraordinary hurt and adversity, God’s promise to be with him remained faithful. Joseph endured jealousy and sibling rivalry in his father’s household. He survived mistreatment and a murderous plot by his older brothers. He was thrown into prison for resisting temptation. He could have easily allowed his woes to become his focus.
Instead, Joseph looked up and trusted God. And because of the great faith that God instilled in Joseph, a multitude of people would owe Joseph their lives—literally.
Can you relate to waterless pits and unfairness in your life? This new Bible study is so relevant for our current times.
God uses Joseph’s journey to provide invaluable insights regarding how to live wise, bold journeys of faith—fully trusting Him every single day. May God grant you and me such tenacious faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You can pre-order “Meant for Good” right here.
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About the Author
Although Donna is a sought-after Bible teacher, her path from being unchurched to become passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Go here to read her God-breathed journey, “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her contact page here.
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