Why it matters: Joseph’s story presents amazing insight into how God’s sovereignly works to overcome evil and bring about His plan. Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, his first son through his favored wife, Rachel. After the announcement of his birth, we see Joseph next as a seventeen-year-old returning from shepherding the flock with his half-brothers to give Jacob a bad report of them. We are also told that Jacob “loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him” (Genesis 37:3).

Joseph’s brothers knew their father loved Joseph more than them, which caused them to hate him.

• To make matters worse, Joseph began relating his dreams to the family—prophetic visions showing Joseph one day ruling over his family.
• Joseph was sold to Egyptians as a slave and served in the house of Potiphar for a long time.
• He toiled away as a slave.

Potiphar put him in prison. In jail, Joseph was again blessed by God. One day the king summoned Joseph and related his dreams. Based on Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph predicted seven years of bountiful harvests followed by seven years of severe famine in Egypt and advised the king to begin storing grain in preparation for the coming dearth. For his wisdom, Joseph was made a ruler in Egypt, second only to the king. Joseph oversaw storing up food during the years of plenty and selling it to Egyptians and foreigners during the years of famine.

• After all his ordeals, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work.
• Yes, he was a slave. Being last, God made him first.
• As he revealed his identity to his brothers, Joseph spoke of their sin this way: “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. . . . It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:5, 8).
• Man’s most wicked intentions can never thwart the perfect plan of God.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

God’s goal: The goal is to be a servant. We are to be last. We must be comfortable with that. Jesus never stopped being a servant. Jesus went so far as to die for us. Jesus knows, just like with Joseph, that when we are last, we will be first.

God is God: God is in control of what goes on at work. Jesus has won the victory. Satan has no control. None whatsoever.

Good news: Others at work may mean evil for us. It will happen. We will be persecuted for our faith at work. We must act from a place of love and an understanding that God will use it for our good. God is in a good mood.