It would be interesting that while the Messianic tribe didn’t come from Joseph–he is portrayed to be a type of Jesus by many scholars. The life of Joseph was that he was his father’s son of a good old age, an expected child with Jacob’s beloved Rachel with whom he worked 14 years for, Rachel was unable to conceive at that time (and even made the error of giving Jacob another wife in Zilphah), and now Joseph was a special son.
The story of Joseph’s trials begin in Genesis 37
Although Jacob didn’t spoil Joseph, we still can’t help but look at the error f his when he made it obvious to his older sons that Joseph was currently his favorite. Oh how Jacob must’ve missed Rachel after dying while giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob made Joseph a coat of many colors that set him apart from the rest. Also, Joseph was the type to tell the truth at all costs which got him into trouble when his older paternal half-brothers went wayward. Also, I think “mother” here is referred to Leah, his maternal aunt and stepmother when it came to his dreams. Jacob could’t be talking about the very-much dead Rachel at that point.
Now, the very trials of Joseph started with a technicolor coat, a dream that one day his own family will bow to him (even Jacob was upset), and that led to his older half-brothers hating him. It would be interesting to know how their hatred turned to murder, that is murder of the heart. They planned to kill him. Eventually, a caravan of slave traders (which was a mixture of Ishmaelites and Midianites) arrived. Judah ended up suggesting that they sell Joseph instead for money. Worse, they lied to their father about Joseph’s “death” when he as really much alive.
Joseph’s integrity compared to Judah’s
It would be interesting to know we have some kind of intermission. Why Moses decided to talk about Judah instead of telling us directly about what happened to Joseph is interesting. Genesis 37 talks about Judah’s sad fall when he got mixed into the Canaanites. Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua, had three sons namely Er, Onan, and Shelah. Just the very thought that Judah committed incest with his daughter-in-law (Tamar) and his lack of discernment was just revolting. Yet, we ca’t deny that Judah’s line later became the royal line from where the Messiah will spring out!
Now, Joseph was sent to work for Potiphar. I’m amazed at how Potiphar was a very non-discerning man. Mrs. Potiphar certainly was a loose woman who probably had already cheated on him. Some scholars agree that Potiphar must be an eunuch, a person who’s castrated before being set to the service of a king. Unlike Judah, Joseph kept his integrity no matter how persistent his employer’s wife was. Potiphar’s lack of discernment to his wife’s lie landed Joseph in jail.
However, God allowed it for a reason which will soon be unfolded. In jail, for some reason, Joseph was put in charge of the other prisoners. Was the jail warden aware of Joseph’s innocence? Maybe, and probably Joseph was no longer a prisoner but an assistant warden. This was the place where God would use Joseph mightily.
When God’s delays are not without a good reason
It’s very easy to get mad when delays happen. However, if it’s God who gives a delay, He has a good reason behind the delay. Genesis 40-41 tells us how God used Joseph in such a dark scenario. Joseph was still there perhaps pending trial even if he was in charge of the other prisoners. Maybe, Joseph had forgotten something. Regardless, we see God had a good reason for the delays.
It would be interesting that Joseph interpreted two dreams. Today, we are not to interpret dreams. However, God was giving Joseph visions–something that died out since the Book of Revelation was completed. I really think about how Joseph predicted the death of the baker and the cup-bearer’s restoration. It seemed that the baker was a guilty criminal. Meanwhile, it seemed that the cup-bearer was an innocent man who was wrongfully accused.
It was interesting that Joseph was forgotten for two straight years. It must’ve been very frustrating. Yet, there was a good reason. Can you imagine if Joseph was freed immediately? Joseph would’ve probably gone home immediately. Instead, God allowed the mishap to happen so Joseph could be used when the right time came. The Pharaoh of that time (heathen) was given visions of an upcoming famine and this is where Joseph was going to be useful. The delay was for a good reason. If Joseph went home then how could he be used by God to deliver a message that would save a lot of lives?
Joseph was soon put in charge of Egypt during the 7 years of plenty. There are many food preservation methods. I think the storehouses were tightly sealed so that no air could enter them. I think the grains were dried to preserve their shelf life. This was a wonder, especially in the ancient world. Joseph wisely stored during the 7 years of plenty in preparation for the 7 years of famine.
Joseph did acknowledge God’s hand
Later, we see Joseph testing his brothers not because he was vindictive. Rather, he wanted to see if they already changed. their ways. Joseph (at first) pretended not to know them but later, showed he was ready to forgive them after the whole incident that he should’ve been bitter according to human standards. Genesis 50:19-21 tells us how Joseph recognized God’s hand in all his trials.
The whole set-up was this. Joseph’s rise to greatness must never come with ease. Instead. the dreams of greatness were not to be without trials. Judah’s intercession for Benjamin probably set him up for the Royal Tribe. Judah’s act of betrayal cursed his line but his act of later humility blessed his line. The whole set of trials that Joseph faced was all part of God’s plan. It also pictured that the grand plan of salvation was not limited to the Jews but also offered to the Gentiles.
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