This Can Be Your Story - Part 9

Joseph has gone through a higher magnitude of worrisome situations which we all may have faced in our childhood. We saw the three phases in his life: beloved son, rejected slave, exalted ruler. He was born to a rich father as the 11th child (they were 12 in total), belonged to a godly lineage and was a blessed youngster who had 2 God-given dreams due to which he was hated all the more by his brothers and was rebuked by his own father. He was thrown into the cistern by his own elder brothers who stripped him of his ornate robe, which was then dipped in goat blood and taken to Jacob, their father, telling him that Joseph is no more. He was then sold to the Ishmaelites, who in turn sold him to Potiphar in Egypt who was one of Pharaoh's officials.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Genesis 39:2-4 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant.

Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
In the present times, there are no slaves and hence we can consider him as an employee. So now, let’s see how he lived while he served as a slave to his master. 

Meanwhile, when Jesus, God’s beloved Son, took human form; he lived like a normal child, though many artists portray him as a unique child with a halo around his head. However, the glory he carried was huge, which was displayed on the mount of transfiguration. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. When Jesus lived on Earth, he was known as the carpenter’s son and he too worked as a carpenter and set an example for all who belong to the working class. Paul was a super apostle, but he also was a tentmaker. 

Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of it.

Many people including believers do not know how to consider our jobs, and to remain loyal at our workplace. Work is something that God has assigned to us humans; though many have the misconception that having to work on Earth is associated with the curse on mankind (Genesis 3:17).
God Himself made the most beautiful garden on Earth and assigned Adam to work and take care of the garden of Eden. That was the first assignment in human history, where God was the boss, to whom Adam, the worker reported directly. 

Work is not due to curse, whereas painful toil is associated with curse.

Genesis 39:5-6 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. She then cooked up false stories of Joseph due to which Potiphar put him in prison.

Genesis 39:22-23 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

We see Joseph working in two phases - Firstly, at Potiphar’s house where he started as a slave and later became a steward. Secondly, due to false allegations, he was put in prison; but God granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.

Qualities of Joseph as a Worker

1. The Lord was with him because he had a prayer life. Abraham, his great grandfather was known as the friend of God. Isaac, his grandfather, often meditated with God. Jacob, his father grew up seeing Isaac’s meditation, prayer life and relationship with God. He decided to give a tenth of everything he had if God would bless him and he offered to the Lord at various places. The Lord appeared to Jacob. And Joseph grew up seeing Jacob’s close walk with God. 
2. He saw great success in everything he did
3. He was appointed as his master’s attendant. Slaves usually never had this post.
4. He became the manager of everything his master had because he was faithful in the least. (Never speak against your executives or the institution that you work in. It is better off to resign and join a new place than to stay in a complaining mode) Joseph had a clean character due to which he attained heights in life. 
5. He brought the blessing of the Lord in everything and made great profit for his master. (Keep a check whether the institution is flourishing through your contributions at work)
6. He was extremely faithful and trustworthy that his master was not concerned about anything.
7. He was a hard and smart worker
8. He was appointed as the supervisor in prison. (It is your inheritance to be the head and not the tail, provided you stay faithful. Be productive during your working hours)

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Glorify God in everything you do! Stay blessed!

Watch the full video here:

About The Author: