Read Genesis 37:1-36.

Introduction⤒🔗

When asked what trends he saw among contemporary Christians, an astute Christian leader identified three: 1) a faulty concept of God; 2) unrealistic expectations; and 3) incredible shock and hurt when they encounter trials in their lives.¹

It seems that many contemporary Christians assume there is a verse in the Bible that reads:

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, the Christian life is like a dream.

This is a view of the Christian life that is obviously very appealing—the full and immediate experience of heaven on earth, and it is a view that may be erroneously conveyed by the church today. The message, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” can easily be misconstrued.

So here you go—merrily, merrily, merrily—rowing the boat of your Christian life gently down the stream. Then, suddenly, unexpectedly, you hit the rapids of trial, you’re thrown against the rocks of adversity, and the roaring surge of affliction completely drowns out that happy chorus. What happens now? You may be tempted to say, or at least to think, “I never bargained for this! God has let me down! I’m angry at God!”

That is the reaction and attitude that can easily set in if we fail to recognize a very basic biblical principle: In conjunction with the LORD’s divine calling and promise, we can expect to encounter divinely ordained trials.

This is exactly what happened to Joseph. Early in Genesis 37 Joseph, by means of two dreams, receives a revelation of God’s divine calling and promise. But by the end of the chapter, he is sold into slavery, carried away into Egypt, and there he encounters another whole series of trials.

Let us consider the case of Joseph in order to understand the divine purpose of these trials, to see how he benefited from them, and to discover what God wants us to learn for our own Christian lives. Let us remember this: Because you possess the LORD’s divine calling and promise, you may also expect to encounter divinely ordained trials.

You May Expect Divinely-Ordained Trials, Intended to Purify You from Sin←⤒🔗

Genesis 37:2 states that Joseph brought to his father “the report concerning his brothers’ bad conduct.” One commentator points out that what Joseph reported to his father was not what he had personally observed but what others said about the brothers.² What Joseph relates to his father is a report of bad conduct on the part of his brothers that had been circulating throughout the community.

There seems to be a hint here that Joseph lacked discretion and may have possessed a self-righteous spirit, perhaps similar to that described in Luke 18:11, where the Pharisee prays, “God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”

Genesis 37:5-11 records Joseph’s dreams and his reaction to them. In the first dream, his brothers' sheaves all bow down before his sheaf; in the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down before Joseph. The theme in both dreams is the same: Joseph is given a position of dominion over his brothers. God’s purpose in calling Joseph to such a position was for the sake of His covenant people, as Joseph comes to understand and of which he eventually testifies in Genesis 45:5,7-8,

⁵And now do not be grieved nor angry with yourselves that you sold me here as a slave; for God sent me ahead of you in order to preserve your lives... ⁷God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ⁸So now it was not you who sent me here, but God.

But at this point in his life, Joseph is overly impressed with the position of pre-eminence and has not grasped the purpose of that position: service for the cause of Christ and for the sake of his family. Note that he immediately reports the dreams to his brothers and in so doing he emphasizes his position of pre-eminence:

...indeed, your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf. vs. 7

Behold! I have dreamed another dream! And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me!vs. 9

It is only later, after he has passed through a series of severe trials, that Joseph gains a godly perspective, (note again Genesis 45:5,7); the trials have produced a godly humility in this man.

Genesis 50:18-21 records Joseph’s response to his brothers when they appear before him and seek his mercy:

¹⁸His brothers came and bowed down before his face; and they said, See, we are your servants. ¹⁹And Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid; am I in the place of God? ²⁰As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, namely, the saving of many lives. ²¹Now, therefore, fear not. I will take care of you and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Gen. 50:18-21

Joseph’s response is to willingly extend mercy and forgiveness to his brothers. There is no longer any trace of a self-righteous spirit—which is usually accompanied with harshness and the demand for full satisfaction of justice. Note the attitude of the Pharisees with regard to the woman caught in the act of adultery: there is present the self-righteous desire for justice, assuming that they themselves are exempt:

³Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand before them, ⁴and they said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman has been caught committing adultery—caught in the very act. ⁵Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such a person. What then do you say about her?Jn. 8:3-5

The divinely-ordained trials that have come into Joseph’s life have served to purify him from sin: 1) mercy and compassion have replaced self-righteousness; and, 2) humility has replaced pride in his God-given calling.

You May Expect Divinely-Ordained Trials, Intended to Prove Your Allegiance to Christ←⤒🔗

As noted, at the outset of Genesis 37, Joseph received great promises and a great calling from God, but by the end of the chapter he is sold into slavery and shipped down to Egypt.

He could have become disillusioned and embittered against God; he could have adopted the attitude expressed by Job’s wife: “Then his wife said to him, Are you still maintaining your integrity? Renounce God and die!” (Job 2:9) But we find that Joseph maintained his integrity and his commitment to God; note his testimony made to his brothers as they later stand before him: “Joseph said to them, Do this, and live; for I fear God” (Gen. 42:18).

The whole incident involving Potiphar’s household and his wife (Genesis 39:1-23), demonstrates Joseph’s continuing commitment to the LORD. The very fact that Potiphar entrusts the oversight of his whole household to Joseph is evidence that he recognized Joseph to be a man of integrity. When Joseph is confronted with the seductions of Potiphar’s wife, it becomes evident that his integrity stems from a holy fear and reverence of God, for he asks her, “How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9)

The time Joseph spent in prison, (also recorded in Genesis 39:1-23), further demonstrates his continuing commitment to the LORD. He has been cast into prison on false charges—despite his integrity; indeed, it was even because of his integrity and his refusal to succumb to seduction that he wound up in prison. The very fact that the keeper of the prison felt confident to entrust the everyday affairs of the prison to Joseph shows that he found Joseph to be a man of integrity.

Thus, despite the trials he encountered—trials he encountered even because of his integrity—Joseph continued to remain faithful to the LORD. Job’s personal testimony may also be seen to be that of Joseph: “until I die, I will not renounce my integrity. ⁶Ifirmly hold on to my righteousness and will not let it go; my conscience shall not reproach me as long as I live” (Job 27:5-6).

Throughout all of Joseph’s trials in Egypt there is the re-occurring phrase, “the LORD was with Joseph” (found in Genesis 39:2, 21). The awareness of the LORD’s presence and covenant faithfulness inspired Joseph’s continued commitment. Conversely, Joseph’s continuing commitment insured the LORD’s continued favor and presence.

You may expect divinely-ordained trials, intended to prove your allegiance to Christ. Note the commentary of the Psalmist concerning the life of Joseph: “Until the time that the LORD’s word was fulfilled, the word of the LORD tested him” (Psl. 105:19).

You May Expect Divinely-Ordained Trials, Intended to Prepare You for Greater Service and Glory←⤒🔗

The original promise God gave to Joseph was that Joseph would be placed in a position of pre­eminence for the sake of service. The trials and predicaments Joseph encounters prior to the fulfillment of that promise have a common feature: Joseph is put into a position of pre-eminence for the purpose of service.

After he is sold into slavery, he is made the overseer of Potiphar’s entire household:

³[Joseph’s] master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to proper in his hand. ⁴So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put in [Joseph’s] hand. Gen. 39:3-4

After Joseph is sentenced to prison, he is made overseer of the entire prison:

²²...the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was [Joseph’s] doing. ²³The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s hand, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper. Gen. 39:22-23

With each successive trial two things are being accomplished: 1) Joseph is getting more and more experience for the position to which the LORD has ultimately called him—he is being led through a succession of “apprenticeships;” and, 2) Joseph is coming to better understand the purpose of God’s calling, namely, service for the cause of Christ and to the people of God, not self-exaltation.

When the time comes for the fulfillment of the promise, Joseph is ready to assume the position of second in command over all of Egypt—and willing to fulfill that position for God’s purpose:

⁷God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ⁸So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and master over his entire household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Gen. 45:7-8

You may expect divinely-ordained trials, intended to prepare you for greater service and glory. Let us remember and take to heart the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:

²¹His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will give you charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.Matt. 25:21

¹⁰He who is faithful with a very little will also be faithful with much; but he who deals in an unrighteous manner with a very little, will also deal in an unrighteous manner with much.Lk. 16:10

Conclusion←⤒🔗

One of the very important lessons we must learn from the life of Joseph is this: When you possess the LORD’s divine calling and promise, you may also expect to encounter divinely ordained trails.

When those trials do in fact come, in order to cope with them, it is very helpful to realize their God-intended purposes: 1) to purify you from sin; 2) to prove your allegiance to Christ; and, 3) to prepare you for greater service and glory.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What does Genesis 37:2b suggest about Joseph’s attitude? Have you ever entertained a self-righteous attitude towards others? If so, have they been the kind of men the Pharisee mentions in his prayer? See Lk. 18:11 What does Proverbs 30:12 tell us about those who display a self-righteous attitude?

²...Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers...and Joseph brought the bad report of them to his father. Gen. 37:2

¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus...'God, I thank you that I am not like other men­ extortioners, unjust, adulterers...'Lk. 18:11

¹²[There is] a generation [that is] pure in their own eyes, [yet] is not washed from its filthiness. Prov. 30:12

2. What special spiritual experience did the LORD give to Joseph? See Gen. 37:5-11 What is the message conveyed to Joseph by means of these dreams? To whom does he relate his dreams, and why? What does this tell us about Joseph’s attitude? Have you ever been given a unique spiritual experience or prominent spiritual gift? As a result of such an experience or gift, how have you been tempted to think of yourself? See 1 Cor. 4:7 and 1 Cor. 12:7.

⁵Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers. Then they hated him all the more. ⁶He said to them, I beg you, listen to this dream that I dreamed: ⁷we were binding sheaves of grain out in the field, and my sheaf rose up and stood upright. Your sheaves came and bowed down to my sheaf. ⁸His brothers said to him, Shall you, indeed, reign over us? Or shall you, indeed, have dominion over us? So they hated him all the more because of his dreams and because of his words. Gen. 37:5-8

⁹Joseph had still another dream, and he reported it to his brothers: Listen, I have had another dream. In this dream the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. ¹⁰He also told it to his father as well as to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and brothers indeed come and bow down to the ground before you? ¹¹So his brothers envied him; but his father kept the thing in mind. Gen. 37:9-11

⁷...who causes you to differ [from another]? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive [it], why do you boast as if you had not received [it]? 1 Cor. 4:7

⁷...the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit [of all]. 1 Cor. 12:7

3. How old was Joseph at the time all these things occurred, and how does Scripture describe him? See Gen. 37:2 Can we attribute his attitude to youthful immaturity? But can we excuse his behavior? According to 2 Peter 3:18, what does the LORD require us to do? As we grow in maturity, how will our attitude and perspective change? Note Jn. 3:26-30.

²...Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers...and Joseph brought the bad report of them to his father. Gen. 37:2

^18a...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18a

²⁶...they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one about whom you testified, he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him! ²⁷John replied, A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Christ; rather, I have been sent ahead of him. ²⁹The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, greatly rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That is my joy, and it is now fulfilled. ³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease. Jn. 3:26-30

4. Contrast the promises the LORD made to Joseph by means of the dreams, with the condition in which he soon finds himself. See Gen. 37:25-28 What does Psalm 105:17-19 have to say about this turn of events? Are you surprised when you, as a Christian, encounter trials in your life, do they appear to be incongruous with the promises of God? What is one purpose of such trials, and how should you respond to them? See Psl. 119:67, 71, 75.

²⁵As [the brothers] sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh; they were carrying their cargo down to Egypt. ²⁶Judah said to his brothers, What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up our crime? ²⁷Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let us not lay our hands on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh. His brothers agreed with him. ²⁸So when some Midianite merchants passed by, the brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph to Egypt. Gen. 37:25-28

¹⁷He sent a man before them—Joseph—[who] was sold as a slave. ¹⁸They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. ¹⁹Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. Psl. 105:17-19

⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word...⁷¹[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes...⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that your judgments [are] right, and [that] in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psl. 119: 67, 71, 75

5. Compare Joseph in his youth with the way we find him as second in command over all of Egypt. What was his attitude in his youth? See Gen. 37:5-7 What is now his perspective? See Gen. 45:7-8 Given the attitude he exhibited early in life, would you have projected this change, especially given the position he now occupied? What unexpected attitude does he how exhibit towards his brothers? See Gen. 50:18-21. What accounts for this change? Do you see the same work of divine grace operating in your own life?

⁵Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers. Then they hated him all the more. ⁶He said to them, I beg you, listen to this dream that I dreamed: ⁷we were binding sheaves of grain out in the field, and my sheaf rose up and stood upright. Your sheaves came and bowed down to my sheaf. Gen. 37:5-7

⁷God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ⁸So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and master over his entire household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Gen. 45:7-8

¹⁸His brothers came and bowed down before his face; and they said, See, we are your servants. ¹⁹And Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid; am I in the place of God? ²⁰As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, namely, the saving of many lives. ²¹Now, therefore, fear not. I will take care of you and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Gen. 50:18-2