The Complete History of Joseph in the Bible - From Prisoner to Prince

Summary

The video script narrates the story of Joseph from the Bible, highlighting his unique journey and the divine grace that set him apart from his family. Despite being favored by his father and hated by his brothers, Joseph's life was marked by obedience and faithfulness to God. His ability to interpret dreams led to his rise to power in Egypt, where he foresaw and prepared for a period of famine. The story emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the gifts and grace given by God, as well as the transformative power of these gifts in one's life and the lives of others.

Takeaways

• 👤 Joseph was distinguished by God's grace, setting him apart from his family members, which was evident even to his brothers.
• 👕 Jacob favored Joseph, symbolized by the special multicolored tunic, which further fueled his brothers' jealousy.
• 🌾 Joseph's dreams of grandeur, both of sheaves of grain and celestial bodies bowing to him, were perceived as arrogance by his brothers and father.
• 💪 Joseph demonstrated inner strength and resolve, resisting the temptation of Potipar's wife, showcasing God's power at work within him.
• 📜 The Bible emphasizes that Joseph's rise to prominence was due to his God-fearing nature and the grace he received.
• 🕊️ God's grace was instrumental in Joseph's life, enabling him to interpret dreams and rise to the position of prime minister in Egypt.
• 🔑 Joseph's ability to interpret dreams was a gift from God, which he did not take for granted and used to benefit others.
• 📚 The scriptural account highlights that every good and perfect gift is from God, as stated in James 1:17.
• 👑 Pharaoh recognized Joseph's divine gift, appointing him to a high position based on his ability to interpret dreams and govern wisely.
• 🌾 Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams led to the preparation for the seven years of famine, demonstrating foresight and wisdom.
• ⏳ The repetition of Pharaoh's dreams underscored the certainty and urgency of the events to come, as interpreted by Joseph.

Q & A

Why did God's grace find Joseph and separate him from the rest of his family?

The script does not provide a clear-cut answer as to why God chose Joseph, but it emphasizes that Joseph was a willing and god-fearing man who was selected by grace. His unique qualities and inner strength made him stand out among his family members.

How did Joseph's brothers react to the special treatment he received from their father, Jacob?

Joseph's brothers were jealous of the special treatment he received from Jacob, which included a distinctive multicolored tunic. This jealousy led them to hate Joseph and be unable to speak to him on friendly terms.

What was the content of Joseph's first dream that he shared with his brothers?

In Joseph's first dream, he and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain in a field. Joseph's sheaf stood upright, and the sheaves of his brothers bowed down to it, symbolizing that they would one day bow down to him in respect.

How did Joseph's second dream further exacerbate his brothers' hatred towards him?

Joseph's second dream involved eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowing down to him. When he shared this dream with his family, it intensified their hatred because they interpreted it as a sign that Joseph would rule over them.

What was the significance of the multicolored tunic that Jacob gave to Joseph?

The multicolored tunic symbolized the special favor that Jacob had for Joseph, which was due to Joseph being the son of his old age. This favor and the tunic became a source of envy and hatred among Joseph's brothers.

How did Joseph demonstrate his inner strength and resolve to please God?

Joseph demonstrated his inner strength and resolve by resisting the temptation to sleep with Potipar's wife, despite her persistent advances. His ability to resist was attributed to God's power at work within him.

What biblical passage is referenced to emphasize the importance of working out one's salvation with fear and trembling?

Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 to 16 is referenced to emphasize the importance of working out one's salvation with fear and trembling, as it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.

How did Joseph's life in prison lead to him interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker?

While in prison, Joseph found favor with the warden, who put him in charge of all the prisoners. This position allowed him to come into contact with the cupbearer and the baker, for whom he interpreted their dreams, which later came true.

What was the outcome of the cupbearer and the baker's dreams as interpreted by Joseph?

The cupbearer's dream was interpreted by Joseph as a sign that he would be restored to his position in three days, which happened. The baker's dream, however, foretold his execution in three days, which also came to pass.

How did Joseph's ability to interpret dreams eventually lead to him becoming the prime minister of Egypt?

After correctly interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker, Joseph's reputation for dream interpretation reached Pharaoh. When Pharaoh had two dreams that no one else could interpret, Joseph was called upon to interpret them. His accurate interpretation and proposed plan for the impending famine led to him being appointed as the prime minister of Egypt.

What was the significance of the seven fat and seven lean cows and ears of grain in Pharaoh's dream?

The seven fat cows and ears of grain represented seven years of abundance, while the seven lean cows and ears of grain represented seven years of famine. This dream foretold a period of great prosperity followed by a severe famine, which Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare for.

Outlines

00:00

👑 The Unique Grace of Joseph

This paragraph focuses on the distinctiveness of Joseph within his family, highlighting how God's grace singled him out despite not being the only descendant of Abraham or offspring of Jacob. It discusses Joseph's early life, his favored status by his father, the jealousy it sparked among his brothers, and his prophetic dreams that further isolated him. The narrative also touches upon Joseph's integrity and obedience to God, as well as his ability to resist the temptation of Potipar's wife, showcasing his inner strength and resolve.

05:00

🕊️ Joseph's Temptation and Triumph

The second paragraph delves into Joseph's physical attractiveness and the temptation he faced from his master's wife. It details his steadfast refusal to succumb to her desires, emphasizing his loyalty to God and his master. The account of his wrongful imprisonment and the divine favor he received in prison is also covered. The paragraph further illustrates Joseph's gift for interpreting dreams, which he uses to help the cupbearer and the baker, leading to their respective fortunes. It underscores the role of God's grace in Joseph's life and his rise to a position of authority in Egypt.

10:03

📜 Interpreting Dreams and Rising to Power

This section narrates how Joseph's ability to interpret dreams led to his rise in Egyptian society. It describes the dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, their outcomes, and how Joseph's interpretations came true. The paragraph also includes the significant dream of Pharaoh, which none of the wise men of Egypt could interpret. Joseph's accurate interpretation of Pharaoh's dream about the seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine is detailed, along with his subsequent appointment as the prime minister of Egypt to prepare for the impending famine.

15:04

🌾 Joseph's Wisdom and Preparation for Famine

The fourth paragraph outlines Joseph's advice to Pharaoh on how to prepare for the predicted seven years of famine. It emphasizes Joseph's wisdom in suggesting the collection and storage of grain during the years of abundance. The narrative describes Pharaoh's recognition of Joseph's divine wisdom and his appointment as the governor of Egypt, highlighting the trust Pharaoh placed in Joseph to manage the country's resources and prepare for the famine. The paragraph also reflects on the significance of the repeated dreams as a divine affirmation of the events to come.

20:05

🙏 Gratitude and the Value of God's Gifts

The final paragraph is a prayer of gratitude, acknowledging the gifts and grace bestowed by God. It expresses a personal commitment to value and utilize these gifts to fulfill God's plans. The prayer seeks divine assistance to continue appreciating and employing the gifts for personal growth and to contribute positively to others, aligning with the overarching theme of grace and divine intervention in Joseph's life.

Keywords

💡Grace

Grace, in the context of the video, refers to the unmerited favor and divine assistance given by God. It is a central theme as it is seen as the reason for Joseph's selection and his ability to rise above challenging circumstances. The video emphasizes that Joseph was chosen by grace, which is illustrated by his ability to interpret dreams and his rise to a position of power in Egypt.

💡Lineage of Abraham

The Lineage of Abraham refers to the ancestral line or family descent from the biblical figure Abraham, who is considered a patriarch of many religious traditions. In the video, it is mentioned to highlight the significance of Joseph's place within a long line of important figures, yet he stands out even among them due to God's grace.

💡Dreams

Dreams, within the video, are symbolic and prophetic in nature. They serve as a medium through which God communicates future events to Joseph. The interpretation of these dreams leads to Joseph's rise in Egyptian society and his ability to prepare for the coming famine, demonstrating the significance of dreams in revealing God's plan.

💡Interpretation

Interpretation, in this context, is the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something, particularly the dreams Joseph experiences. It is a key concept as Joseph's ability to interpret dreams is what ultimately leads to his elevated status in Egypt and his role in saving his family and the nation from famine.

💡Famine

Famine refers to a severe shortage of food, leading to extreme hunger and scarcity. In the video, the impending famine is a critical element that Joseph foresees through his dream interpretations. His actions to prepare for the famine by storing grain exemplify his wisdom and the practical application of his divine gift.

💡Potipar's Wife

Potipar's wife is a character in the video who tempts Joseph to sin. However, Joseph's refusal to succumb to her advances demonstrates his integrity and the power of God's grace within him. This event is pivotal as it tests Joseph's character and sets the stage for his subsequent trials and triumphs.

💡Prison

Prison, in the narrative, represents a place of confinement and despair but also becomes a place where Joseph's faith and gifts are recognized and utilized. Despite the negative connotations, Joseph's time in prison is a turning point, leading to his rise in status and his ability to help others through his gift of dream interpretation.

💡Divine Spirit

The Divine Spirit refers to the presence and influence of God within an individual. In the video, it is the Divine Spirit that empowers Joseph to interpret dreams and to act with wisdom and integrity. The recognition of the Divine Spirit in Joseph by Pharaoh underscores the supernatural aspect of Joseph's abilities.

💡Prime Minister of Egypt

The position of Prime Minister of Egypt signifies Joseph's elevated status and the trust placed in him by Pharaoh. It is a direct result of his ability to interpret dreams and his proposed plan to manage the impending famine. This role is a testament to Joseph's wisdom and the effective use of his divine gifts.

💡God-fearing

Being God-fearing, as described in the video, means having a deep reverence for God and living in accordance with His will. Joseph is portrayed as a God-fearing man whose actions and decisions are guided by his faith. This characteristic is essential to understanding his moral compass and his ability to navigate through various challenges.

💡Zechariah

Zechariah is a biblical prophet whose words are referenced in the video to emphasize the role of God's spirit in empowering individuals. The verse from Zechariah 4:6, as mentioned in the video, reinforces the idea that it is not by human might or power but by God's spirit that great things are accomplished, aligning with Joseph's story.

Highlights

Joseph was chosen by God's grace, standing out among his family members.

Joseph's brothers were jealous of the unique grace upon him, which almost led to murder.

Despite being favored by his father, Joseph faced hatred and enmity from his brothers.

Joseph's dreams of greatness stirred further resentment among his family.

Joseph's ability to interpret dreams was a gift from God, showcased during his time in prison.

Joseph's integrity was evident when he resisted the temptation of Potipar's wife.

The Lord's favor was with Joseph, leading to his successful management of Potipar's household.

The story of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt demonstrates the sovereignty of God's plan.

Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams led to his appointment as the prime minister of Egypt.

The dreams of the cupbearer and the baker in prison foreshadowed their respective fates.

Joseph's wisdom and foresight helped Egypt prepare for the years of famine.

The repeated dreams signify the certainty and swiftness of God's plan.

Joseph's rise to power was a divine appointment, acknowledging his wisdom and the spirit of God within him.

The story of Joseph illustrates the importance of valuing and using one's gifts for God's glory.

Joseph's life serves as an example of how God's grace can elevate and use individuals for His purposes.

The transcript emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace in the life of an individual.

The prayer at the end of the transcript expresses gratitude for God's gifts and grace, and the desire to fulfill His plans.

Transcripts

what was so special about joseph

he wasn't the only one in the lineage of

abraham or the only offspring of jacob

but god's grace found him in particular

and separated him from the rest of the

members of the family

there's just something about this

particular seed of jacob that stands out

and makes him memorable

even his brothers noticed the unique

grace upon him

and that stirred up great jealousy that

almost led to murder

genesis chapter 37 verses 1 to 10 says

so jacob

israel

lived in the land where his father isaac

had been a stranger

soldier resident alien in the land of

canaan

these are the generations of jacob

joseph when he was 17 years old was

shepherding the flock with his brothers

dan naphtali

gad and asher

the boy was with the sons abilha in

zilpah his father's secondary wives

and joseph brought back a bad report

about them to their father

now israel jacob

loved joseph more than all his children

because he was the son of his old age

and he made him a distinctive

multicolored tunic

his brothers saw that their father loved

joseph more than all of his brothers

so they hated him

and could not find it within themselves

to speak to him on friendly terms

now joseph dreamed a dream

and he told it to his brothers

and they hated him even more

he said to them

please listen to the details of this

dream which i have dreamed

we brothers were binding sheaves of

grain stalks in the field

and lo my sheaf suddenly got up and

stood upright and remained standing

and behold your sheaves stood all around

my sheaf and bowed down in respect

his brother said to him

are you actually going to reign over us

are you really going to rule and govern

us as your subjects

so they hated him even more for telling

them about his dreams and for his

arrogant words

but joseph dreamed still another dream

and told it to his brothers as well

he said

see here

i have again dreamed a dream

and although this time i saw eleven

stars and the sun and the moon bowed

down in respect to me

he told it to his father as well as to

his brothers

but his father rebuked him and said to

him in disbelief

what is the meaning of this dream that

you have dreamed

shall i and your mother and your

brothers actually come to bow down to

the ground and respect before you

so why did god pick joseph to lift up

his family and bring them into goshen

there are no clear-cut answers from the

bible

but it is obvious that he was a willing

and truly a god-fearing man that was

chosen by grace

joseph was a man who had great inner

strength and resolve about pleasing god

he never took god for granted even

though he had experienced his grace and

favor very early on in life

joseph received god's grace

and he made sure that this grace was

never vain in his life

he was able to resist the temptation of

sleeping with potiphar's wife

because god's power was at work in him

philippians chapter 2 verses 12 to 16

therefore my dear friends as you have

always obeyed

not only in my presence but now much

more in my absence

continue to work out your salvation with

fear and trembling

for it is god who works in you to will

and to act

in order to fulfill his good purpose

do everything without grumbling or

arguing

so that you may become blameless and

pure

children of god without fault in a

warped and crooked generation

then you will shine among them like

stars in the sky

as you hold firmly to the word of life

and then i will be able to boast on the

day of christ that i did not run or

labor in vain

it is one thing for god to release grace

upon us to do what is pleasing to him

but it is yet another thing for us to

move ahead confidently

in doing the things ahead of us knowing

that we are not powerless

grace

must be guarded and valued not wasted or

treated lightly

genesis chapter 39 verses 6 to 12 says

so potter for left all that he owned in

joseph's charge

and with joseph there he did not need to

pay attention to anything except the

food he ate

now joseph was handsome and attractive

in form and appearance

then after a time his master's wife

looked at joseph with desire and she

said

lie with me

but he refused and said to his master's

wife

look with me in the house

my master does not concern himself with

anything

he has put everything that he owns in my

charge

he is not greater in this house than i

am nor has he kept anything from me

except you because you are his wife

how then could i do this great evil and

sin against god and your husband

and so it was that she spoke to joseph

persistently day after day

but he did not listen to her plea

to lie beside her or be with her

then it happened one day that joseph

went into the house to attend to his

duties

and none of the men of the household was

there in the house

she caught joseph by his outer robe

saying

lie with me

but he left his robe in her hand and ran

and got outside the

house any young man not empowered by

god's spirit and grace would have

relished the idea of sleeping with her

boss's wife

because there would be no power to

resist

genesis chapter 39 verses 19 to 23 says

and when joseph's master heard the words

of his wife saying

this is the way your servant treated me

his anger burned

so joseph's master took him and put him

in the prison

a place where the king's prisoners were

confined

so he was there in the prison

but the lord was with joseph

and extended loving-kindness to him

and gave him favor in the sight of the

warden the warden committed to joseph's

care or management

all the prisoners who were in the prison

so that whatever was done there he was

in charge of it

the warden paid no attention to anything

that was in joseph's care

because the lord was with him

whatever joseph did

the lord made to prosper

on two occasions the scripture said that

god was with him

why because the grace of the lord was at

work

this is why the bible says in zechariah

chapter 4 verse 6.

then he said to me

this continuous supply of oil is the

word of the lord to cerebel prince of

judah saying

not by might nor by power

but by my spirit of whom the oil is a

symbol says the lord of hosts

in the prison the grace of god made him

find favor in the sight of the keepers

of the prison

the gift for the interpretation of

dreams was given to him

he didn't work for that

but still he never looked down on that

gift

genesis chapter 40 verses 1-22 says

now some time later the cup-bearer or

butler

and the baker for the king of egypt

offended their lord egypt's

king pharaoh

cesarous ii

was extremely angry with his two

officials

the chief of the cup bearers and the

chief of the bakers

he put them in confinement in the house

of the captain of the guard

in the same prison where joseph was

confined

the captain of the guard put joseph in

charge of them and he served them

and they continued to be in custody for

some time

then the cup bearer and the baker of the

king of egypt who were confined in the

prison

both dreamed a dream in the same night

each man with his own significant dream

and each dream with his personal

interpretation

when joseph came to them in the morning

and looked at them

he saw that they were sad and depressed

so we asked pharaoh's officials who were

in confinement with him in his master's

house

why do you look so down-hearted today

and they said to him

we have each dreamed distinct dreams

and there is no one to interpret them

so joseph said to them

do not interpretations belong to god

please

tell me your dreams

so the chief cupbearer told his dream to

joseph and said to him

in my dream there was a grapevine in

front of me

and on the vine were three branches

then as soon as it butted its blossoms

burst open

and its clusters produced ripe grapes in

rapid succession

now pharaoh's cup was in my hand

and i took the grapes and squeezed them

into pharaoh's cup

then i placed the cup into pharaoh's

hand

then joseph said to him

this is the interpretation of it

the three branches represent three days

within three more days

pharaoh will lift up your head

present you in public

and restore you to your position

and you will again put pharaoh's cup

into his hand

just as you did when you were his

cupbearer

only think of me when it goes well with

you

and please show him kindness by

mentioning me to pharaoh

and get me out of this house

for in fact i was taken or stolen from

the land of the hebrews by unlawful

force

and even here i have done nothing for

which they should put me in the dungeon

when the chief baker saw that the

interpretation of the dream was good

he said to joseph

i also dreamed

and in my dream there were three cake

baskets on my head

and in the top basket there were some of

all sorts of baked food for pharaoh

but the birds of prey were eating these

foods out of the basket on my head

joseph answered

this is the interpretation of it

the three baskets represent three days

within three more days pharaoh will lift

up your head and will hang you on a tree

gallows or pole

and you will not so much as be given a

burial

but the birds will eat your flesh

now on the third day which was the

pharaoh's birthday

he released the two men from prison

and made a feast for all his servants

and he lifted up the head of the chief

cupbearer and the head of the chief

baker

that is presented them in public among

his servants

he restored the chief cup bearer to his

office

and the cup bearer once again put the

cup into pharaoh's hand

but the pharaoh hanged the chief baker

just as joseph had interpreted the

meaning of the dreams to them

every godly gift exhibited by anyone is

surely from god

james chapter 1 verse 17

every good given and every perfect gift

is from above

it comes down from the father of lights

the creator and sustainer of the heavens

in whom there is no variation

no rising or setting or shadow cast by

his turning

for he is perfect and never changes

through the grace of god and his gift in

our lives

we are able to keep progressing and

being a blessing to others on the earth

this same grace then brought joseph

before pharaoh

and helped him to interpret pharaoh's

dreams

eventually because of his gift grace and

interpretation

he was made the prime minister of egypt

genesis chapter 41 verses 1-39 says

now it happened at the end of two full

years

that pharaoh dreamed that he was

standing by the nile

and lo

there came up out of the nile seven

healthy cows

sleek and handsome and fat

and they grazed in the reed grass in a

marshy pasture

then behold

seven other cows came up after them out

of the nile

ugly and gaunt and raw boned

and stood by the fat cows on the bank of

the nile

then the ugly and gaunt and raw boned

cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows

then pharaoh awoke

then he fell asleep and dreamed a second

time

and behold

seven ears of grain came up on a single

stalk plump and good

then behold

seven ears of grain thin and dried up by

the east winds sprouted after them

then the thin ears swallowed the seven

plump and full ears

and pharaoh awoke and it was a dream

so when morning came his spirit was

troubled and disturbed

and he sent and called for all the

magicians and all the wise men of egypt

and pharaoh told them his dreams

but no one could interpret them to him

then the chief cupbearer spoke to

pharaoh saying

i would mention my faults today

two years ago pharaoh was angry with his

servants

and he put me in confinement in the

house of the captain of the guard

both me and the chief baker

we dreamed a dream on the same night he

and i

each of us dreamed according to the

significance of the interpretation of

his own dream

now there was with us in the prison a

young man a hebrew

servant to the captain of the guard

and we told him and he interpreted our

dreams for us

to each man according to the

significance of his own dream

and just as he interpreted the dreams

for us

so what happened

i was restored to my office as chief cup

bearer and the baker was hanged

then pharaoh sent and called for joseph

and they hurriedly brought him out of

the dungeon

and when joseph shaved himself and

changed his clothes making himself

presentable he came to pharaoh

pharaoh said to joseph

i have dreamed a dream

and there is no one who can interpret it

and i have heard it said about you that

you can understand a dream and interpret

it

joseph answered pharaoh it is not in me

to interpret the dream

god

not i will give pharaoh a favorable

answer through me

so pharaoh said to joseph

in my dream

i was standing on the bank of the nile

and seven fat sleek and handsome cows

came up out of the river

and they grazed in the reed grass of a

marshy pasture

low

seven other cows came up after them

very ugly in god

just skin and bones

such emaciated animals as i have never

seen in all the land of egypt

and the lean and ugly cows ate up the

first seven fat cows yet when they had

devoured them it cannot be detected that

they had eaten them

because they were still as thin and

emaciated as before

that i awoke

but again i fell asleep and dreamed

i saw in my second dream seven ears of

grain plump and good growing on a single

stalk

and lo

seven other years withered thin and

scorched by the east winds sprouted

after them

and the thin years devoured the seven

good years

now i told this to the magicians and

soothsayers but there was no one who

could explain it to me

then joseph said to pharaoh

the two dreams are one and the same and

have one interpretation

god has shown pharaoh what he is about

to do

the seven good cows are seven years and

the seven good ears are seven years

the two dreams are one and the same

the seven thin and ugly cows that came

up after them are seven years

and also the seven fin years dried up

and scorched by the east wind

they are seven years of famine and

hunger

this is the message just as i have told

pharaoh

god has shown pharaoh what he is about

to do

listen very carefully

seven years of great abundance will come

throughout all the land of egypt

but afterward seven years of famine and

hunger will come

and there will be such desperate need

that all the great abundance of the

previous years

will be forgotten in the land of egypt

as if it never happened

and famine and destruction will ravage

and destroy the land

so the great abundance will become

forgotten in the land because of that

subsequent famine

for it will be very severe that the

dream was repeated twice to pharaoh and

in two different ways

indicates that this matter is fully

determined and established by god

and god will bring it to pass very

quickly

so now let pharaoh prepare ahead

and look for a man discerning and

clear-headed and wise

and set him in charge over the land of

egypt as governor under pharaoh

let pharaoh take action to appoint

overseers and officials over the land

and set aside one-fifth of the produce

of the entire land of egypt in the seven

years of abundance

let them gather as a tax

all of the fifth of the food of these

good years that are coming

and store up grain under the direction

and authority of pharaoh

and let them guard the food in fortified

granaries in the cities

that food shall be put in storage as a

reserve for the land against the seven

years of famine and hunger which will

occur in the land of egypt

so that the land and people will not be

ravaged during the famine

now the plan seemed good to pharaoh and

to all of his servants

so pharaoh said to his servants

can we find a man like this a man equal

to joseph in whom is the divine spirit

of god

then pharaoh said to joseph

since your god has shown you all this

there is no one as discerning and

clear-headed and wise as you are

from the scriptures

we see that even pharaoh understood that

it was through the spirit

the joseph possessed this gift of

interpretation

let us pray

i am grateful father for every gift and

grace that you have lavished upon me

thank you for your unfailing kindness

that is able to take me through every

challenging time

and in the name of jesus

i ask that you help me to keep valuing

the gifts in my life

because through it

you will keep taking me higher and

higher into your plans

amen