A rare gem: Joseph

A man of good characters is rare to find

His background

Born alongside eleven other children, Joseph was the eleventh child to Jacob and Rachael who also is a grandchild to the father of promise, Abraham.

As the boy Joseph grew, he began to dream even right from his childhood. He was then referred to as the dreamer boy. He being the youngest child before the last child, Benjamin was born, he was hated by his brothers because he reported their evil doings to their father, Jacob.

At the time, Joseph was only a seventeen years old lad who was loved by his father. This made his father purchase a coat of many colours for him, which made his brothers jealous.

As at then, their main occupation is farming and rearing of animals, Joseph was devoted to caring of the cattle alongside will his brothers. He was dutiful to the service and reported any misconduct done by his brothers to his brethren.

Joseph as the dreamer on two different occasions has a dream. First he had a bream that he and his brothers were building shelves on the field and his own stood above while the rest stood round about. This implied his brethren to ask him the question if he'll reign over them because he was regarded to be nothing but a little lad.

On another occasion, he dreamt that the sun and moon with eleven stars bowed and showed reference to him. The interpretation of the dream was glaring to his brothers as the sun and moon represented their father and mother while the eleven stars are his brethren. This made them hate him the more and planned to kill him.

Then came a day when Joseph was sent by his father to the field to deliver a meal to his brothers. As he was approaching, his brothers plotted to kill him by throwing him into a pit and lie to their father that he was attacked by a wild animal on his way.

Reuben the third child, actually then thought that no blood should be shed but they should throw Joseph into a pit for some days and bring him up to their father afterwards. After throwing him to the pit, they then settled down to eat the meal that was brought to them by him.

Sold into Egypt

While they eat, a company of Ishmaelites who were going down to Egypt for some trades passed by. Judah, the eldest then thought that they sell their brother to this company. Joseph was then sold to Egypt by his brothers who thought that his dreams won't come true by doing such wickedness to him.

Joseph was then taken as slave to Egypt and sold to a man named Potiphar who was the captain to the king's guards. He's a high ranked officer in Egypt. Joseph served his master faithfully as he carried out his duty. His attributes pleased Potiphar and he was appointed the head of all his servant in the house. Even while been promoted, he was still dutiful and honest in his service.

He was however tempted by his master's wife who wanted to commit immorality with him at all cost but however escaped her trap. This led to his imprisonment as he was accused falsely by his master's wife. He was however sent to prison without trial or stating the particular time he'll spend there. Favour always found its way to him. He found favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison who put Joseph in charge of other prisoners.

While in prison, Joseph interpreted dreams for two of the king's servants who were imprisoned for their misconduct. The chief of the Butler and the chief of the bakers both had different dreams whose interpretation by Joseph came to pass. The chief butler was restored back to his position and the chief baker sentenced to death by hanging.

The upliftment of Joseph

After two years, Pharaoh the king had a dream and no one in the whole kingdom nor even his magicians or wise men were able to provide its interpretation. Then immediately, the chief butler who was released from imprisonment remembered how Joseph provided the suitable interpretation to his dream. He informed the king and Joseph was summoned to the palace, clothed in beautiful dress because no one dare appear before the king in filthy wears.

Through divine understanding, Joseph was able to provide interpretation to the king's dream which was about a great famine that will soon hit the surface of the earth. He then adviced the king to appoint a trustworthy individual that will be in charge of storing food during much supply so that there will be more available during the famine.

When the king examined his officers, he saw that there's no one to carry out such duty, he then appointed Joseph. He was automatically made the second in command to the king. What a great promotion! He was celebrated and made to ride on the king's second chariot which no one else did.

After being appointed a ruler, Joseph was faithful to the king, carried out his duties properly to ensure storage of food for preparing for the famine.

After three years of plentious, the time of scarcity came and every other countries was affected except Egypt. People from everywhere travelled down to Egypt to buy, with everyone seeking permission from Joseph before they can purchase.

Joseph's parents and siblings were also not left out from the pandemic. They travelled down from their hometown to Egypt to purchase food. When they arrived, Joseph easily recognized them but they didn't, thinking he was an Egyptian. He then told his servants not to sell to them but bring them to his office.

Upon getting to his office, his parents and brothers bowed to him to show reference as he was the second in command in the whole kingdom. He then remembered his dream as when the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. He later revealed to them that he was the same Joseph that was sold into captivity by his brothers who lied to his father that he was devoured by wild animals. They all wept and his brothers were sorry for their act.

Instead of paying evil for evil, Joseph paid good to them for their evil deeds. He introduced his parents and siblings to the king who accepted them heartily. They were then made to reside in Egypt with their needs supplied during the famine and thereafter.

Lessons learnt:

1) No matter what may seems to be happening, destiny cannot be altered but may be delayed.

2) Always focus on the path to success. Don't allow anything to distract you.

3) Don't pay evil for evil. Remember to do good always.

What other lessons do you learn? Let's interact.