Who was Joseph in the Old Testament?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Joseph’s story begins with betrayal but ends with redemption and reveals to us that God is greater than our circumstances. As the favored son of Jacob, Joseph was rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, and falsely accused, yet God remained faithful through every hardship (Genesis 37–39). He trusted God when he was sold into slavery, when he was wrongly accused, when he was in prison, when he needed to lead the Egyptians, and when he was faced with responding to his brothers. Even when Joseph could not see the bigger picture, God was at work, preparing him to save many lives through his wisdom and leadership in Egypt (Genesis 41:39–41). Joseph’s response to suffering reveals a deep trust in God’s sovereignty and is seen in his actions and his declaration that “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). The New Testament points to Joseph as an example of faith and highlights how his life foreshadowed Jesus, the rejected Savior who brought salvation to all who would trust in Him (Acts 7:9–14; Philippians 2:8–11). Joseph’s life reminds us that God is always working—even in seasons of waiting, suffering, and uncertainty—to accomplish His greater purposes (Romans 8:28).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the first son born to Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife (Genesis 30:22–24; 35:18). He was the eleventh son of Jacob and was especially loved by his father, who gave him a special robe as a sign of his affection (Genesis 37:3). However, Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him because of their father’s favoritism and because of the dreams God gave him, which suggested that his family would one day bow down to him (Genesis 37:5–11).
• Because of their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery to traveling merchants heading to Egypt. They deceived their father by making him believe Joseph had been killed (Genesis 37:18–36). Although Joseph experienced betrayal, loss, and injustice, God remained with him and continued working through his circumstances (Genesis 39:2, 21, 23).
• In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph served faithfully and was successful because the Lord was with him (Genesis 39:2–6). However, when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph after he refused her temptation, Joseph was imprisoned despite his innocence (Genesis 39:7–20). Even in prison, Joseph continued to trust God, and the Lord gave him favor and wisdom (Genesis 39:21–23).
  
• God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, which he used to help Pharaoh understand that Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine (Genesis 40–41). Joseph credited God rather than himself, telling Pharaoh that interpretations belong to God (Genesis 40:8; 41:16). Because of his God-given wisdom, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to second-in-command over Egypt, placing him in charge of preparing for the coming famine (Genesis 41:39–41).
• During the famine, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt seeking food, unknowingly coming before Joseph. Although Joseph had the power to punish them, he chose forgiveness and reconciliation. He recognized that God had been sovereign over his suffering, telling his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Joseph forgave his brothers, provided for his family, and brought Jacob and the entire family to Egypt (Genesis 42–47).
• Joseph’s life shows that God’s purposes are greater than human actions. Although Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment, God used those hardships to preserve the lives of many people, including the family through whom He would fulfill His covenant promises (Genesis 50:20).
  
• Joseph was part of God’s covenant plan with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through Joseph’s leadership in Egypt, God preserved Israel during the famine and protected the family through whom the Messiah would eventually come (Genesis 12:1–3; 46:3–4).
  
• Before Joseph died, he trusted that God would continue to fulfill His promises. He instructed the Israelites to carry his bones with them when God brought them out of Egypt, showing his faith that God would one day deliver His people (Genesis 50:24–26; Hebrews 11:22).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Joseph is included among the people who trusted God’s promises by faith. Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” His confidence in God’s future promises demonstrated that his hope was not ultimately in Egypt but in God’s faithfulness.
• Stephen referenced Joseph in his speech before the Jewish leaders (Acts 7:9–14). He explained that Joseph’s brothers rejected him but that God was with him and eventually raised him to a position of authority in Egypt. Stephen used Joseph’s story to show a repeated pattern in Israel’s history: God often works through people who are rejected but later become instruments of His salvation.
• Joseph’s story also points forward to Jesus in several ways. Like Jesus, Joseph was rejected by his own people — Joseph’s brothers rejected him, and Jesus was rejected by many in Israel (Genesis 37:18–28; John 1:11). Like Jesus, Joseph endured injustice without abandoning trust in God (Genesis 39:19–23; Philippians 2:8). Like Jesus, Joseph was raised to a position of authority after suffering: he was exalted to rule in Egypt. Likewise, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God after His death and resurrection (Genesis 41:41–43; Philippians 2:9–11). Joseph saved many lives by providing food during the famine, while Jesus brought salvation through His death and resurrection (Genesis 50:20; Matthew 1:21).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Life does not always unfold the way we expect. There are moments when rejection, disappointment, failure, or suffering can make us wonder whether God is still at work or whether we have somehow been forgotten. Joseph’s story reminds us that a difficult season does not have to be a wasted season.

God is always at work, just as He was always at work in every setback Joseph faced, even when Joseph could not see the purpose behind it. When circumstances feel confusing, we must choose to trust God’s character rather than let our situation determine our hope. We must choose to live faithfully for Him, for that is where abundant life is found. We can trust that God is always at work and will use all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

So when life feels unfair or hard, bring your struggles honestly to Him, remain faithful in all things, even the small things, and remember that God can use even painful experiences to shape you, grow you, and accomplish purposes far greater than you can see. Like Joseph, we can look back and see that what felt like a setback was never outside of God’s plan.

UNDERSTAND

• Joseph was a faithful man who trusted God through suffering and hardship.
  
• God used Joseph’s suffering to accomplish His greater purposes.
  
• Joseph’s life points to Jesus and God’s plan of redemption.
  

REFLECT

• How does Joseph's life challenge or encourage you when you cannot see what God is doing?
• How does trusting in God's character and promises help you when life feels unfair?
• In what areas of your life is God calling you to trust that He will use even difficult circumstances for His greater purposes?

ENGAGE

• What does Joseph’s statement, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) mean, and how should it challenge or encourage us?
• What can Joseph’s response to his brothers teach us about forgiveness, trusting God’s justice, and choosing grace when we have been hurt?
• How can Joseph’s life encourage us to remain faithful to God when we do not understand what He is doing or where He is leading us?