The Life of Joseph (Gen. 30-50)
History
-Abraham begat Isaac, Isaac begat Jacob, Jacob later became Israel
-Jacob fell in love with Rachel and worked for her father Laban for 14 yrs. to marry her.
-Rachel gave birth to Joseph and Benjamin.  She died at Benjamin's birth.
-Jacob/Israel had 12 sons.  These are known as the children of Israel, 12 tribes of Israel, the Israelites, etc.

Events of Life

• Jacob loved Joseph more than any other child, so he made him a coat of many colors.
• Joseph has dream of his family in obedience to him.
• Joseph's brothers became very jealous and sought to kill him when Jacob sent him to help feed the flock.
• They stripped him of his coat, threw him in a pit to die, then pulled him out to sale him to slavery.
• Gave Jacob his coat dipped in blood, so he assumed he died by a beast.
• Joseph sold to Potiphar of Egypt (officer of the Pharaoh and captain of guard). 
• Potiphar's wife wants to lay with Joseph, but he refuses.  She sets him up and says he raped her.
• Joseph is thrown in prison innocently convicted.  A butler and baker are also thrown into prison.
• The butler and baker have dreams and he interprets.  The butler is released and forgets about Joseph.
• 2 yrs. later, Pharaoh has dream and needs interpreter.  The butler remembers Joseph and sends for him to interpret Pharaoh's dream.  The dream involved 7yrs. of plenty and 7 yrs. of famine for Egypt.
• A leader is needed to deliver the Egyptians from the famine and Pharaoh appoints Joseph. (30 yrs. old)
• During the 7 yrs. of plenty, Joseph stored up enough food to survive the 7yrs. of famine.
• Joseph's family is starving from the famine so the brothers (besides Benjamin) travel to Egypt for food.
• They come before Joseph to buy food and he recognizes them but they don't him.  He claims they are spies and throws Simeon in prison until they can bring back Benjamin and prove they are not spies.
• Joseph sent them off to with corn and money to later bring back Benjamin.
• They wondered why they had their money left in their sacks and worried that it was a mistake.
• Jacob loved Benjamin very much because he was the only son left of Rachel.  He didn't want him to go to Egypt with his brothers.  He finally gives in but says if he doesn't return he will die of depression. 
• Jacob sends them with double money to pay back for last time and allows them to take Benjamin.
• Joseph makes a big dinner for them and they bow down to worship him in obedience.
• Joseph commands steward to fill sacks with corn, money, and his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.  Then to go after them and accuse Benjamin of stealing cup to bring him back as my servant.
• Judah (Joseph's brother) pleads with Joseph to take anyone but Benjamin because of his promise.
• Joseph wept bitterly and decides to reveal himself to his brothers.
• He explains to them not to worry about the past because God used that to deliver them.
• They return back to home with chariots sent by Joseph to get their father Jacob and return to Egypt.
• Jacob sees Joseph and cries in excitement to see Joseph again. 
• Jacob dies and the brothers are worried that Joseph will now avenge them for their evil.
• Joseph forgives them all for their mistakes and takes care of them through the famine.

Lessons to Learn From the Providence of God

• Sin conceives. 
• James 1:13-15-Drawn away of our lust and enticed, tempted, sin, & death.  The brothers were jealous, want to kill him, thrown him in pit, and lie to father.
• God uses our mistakes to teach us humility and defeat our PRIDE through fear.
• The brothers sell Joseph-mistake, Fall down to worship him-humility.
• God uses difficult times to form/shape our spirit. 
• Joseph-hated of brothers, thrown in pit, sold as slave, set up by Potiphar's wife, falsely accused and thrown in prison, forgotten about by butler.
• God has always loved his children even though they didn't love Him. 
• Israelites were evil, yet God still delivered them from famine.
• 7yrs. of plenty and the 7yrs. of famine
• Joseph led Egypt to prepare for famine and delivered them all during the famine.
• Mt 25:13- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
• Joseph as a type of Christ-

• God has a master plan and will for us.  He can use our evil decisions in the past to save us in the future.
  • Gen. 50:20-But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.