JOSEPH'S CALLING: FAVOR, BETRAYAL, & FORGIVENESS SURROUND HIS PROPHETIC GIFT.

Everyone who's grown up in church has heard the story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. When I heard this story as a kid, I remembered 3 things:

Rainbow coat, slavery, famine.

These weren't too terribly applicable to my life, nor did I really care too much about his story - to be honest. (Outside of loving the idea of having my own multicolored coat!)

Is Joseph's story applicable to us, today?

This is a resounding Y E S.

As a grown woman, I've flipped through the story of Joseph in Genesis over and over because of just how applicable Joseph's story has been to my life. Joseph listened to God in every situation. He was a man of high integrity and continued to pray and trust God even when his brothers betrayed him, attempted to kill him, and sold him into slavery. Slavery, ya'll.

His own family tried to kill him out of hatred, which catapulted him into his God-given destiny of saving everyone in the region from famine. That's heavy, doc.

So, already we have a few themes here:

1. Favor & Envy

2. Joseph's Calling & Spiritual Gifts

3. Betrayal

4. Favor from God

5. God's Timing

6. Forgiveness

Let's dive into what favor looked like with Joseph:

Favor & Envy

2 When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.

3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. - Genesis 37:2-3

Favor over Joseph's life was bestowed on him from childhood. He was pure of heart, but Joseph lacked maturity and discernment on how telling his father about the evil his brothers were doing could impact his well-being. Because of this favor and close relationship, Joseph held with Jacob, his brothers literally hated him. This may be too extreme for some, but it could line up with your story for others. In my life, I can easily recall being hated for exposing evil in a variety of ways. 9.5 times out of 10, it was by the person or people whose darkness was being brought into the light. We all have experienced what it's like to be envious of others (just open Instagram for 5 seconds), but the type of envy showcased by Joseph's brothers was due to their father's sin of showcasing how much he favored Joseph publicly. The wound of being rejected in favor by your father is a deep-set wound in the parent/child dynamic.

Joseph's Calling and Spiritual Gifts

5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”

8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. Genesis 37:2-8

Often, our calling and spirit lead giftings show up in childhood. Here, Joseph's gifting of dreaming prophetic dreams was cast upon swine. His sharing of this dream that showcased his call to leadership only fueled his brothers' hatred of him.

Has a gifting on your life ever resulted in envy or hatred from others? I've watched myself fall into the trap of envy, longing to be effortlessly good at something while neglecting my own giftings and calling.

Here, his brothers experience even deeper hatred of Joseph because of the (seemingly) obvious "higher than thou" attitude Joseph has by sharing this dream with them. Joseph salts the wound, in their eyes. But to Joseph, I can only imagine his excitement and desire to share with his brothers. A spark often drives you in your calling and the excitement of Joseph's dream must have driven him to share, regardless of how his brothers felt towards him.

Joseph again shares another dream with his father and brothers that's similar in nature.

9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. Genesis 37:9-11

His father - even though angry at the dishonor the dream could imply, begins to wonder the meaning behind the dreams.

Betrayal

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.

23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt.

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime.[c] 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces[d] of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.

The brothers plotted to kill Joseph after hearing about his dreams. Little did they know, this act of betrayal would catapult their brother into his destiny - which would, in return, fulfill the prophecis in Joseph's dreams, saving their lives. Often, what we perceive as the worst thing that has ever happened to us, can lead us down the path God uses for our calling to bless and serve those around us.

I feel it would have been easier for Joseph to allow hate to grow in his heart towards his brothers, like poison streaming through his veins. But, we don't see any record of Joseph complaining to God about his complete and utter betrayal via his brothers. Instead, we see the Lord bestow even more favor on Joseph's life.

Favor from God

Over the next few chapters, we see a pattern:

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. Genesis 39:2-3

21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Genesis 39:21

23b The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:23b

The Lord bestows extreme favor on Joseph, by promotions within the ranks of slavery and favor with those around him. This favor trails Joseph, through false accusations, an unjust prison sentence, and even with the prisoners and guards once he arrives. That's where we see Joseph start walking in his prophetic gifting again in his adult life.

5 While they were in prison, Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker each had a dream one night, and each dream had its own meaning. 6 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. 7 “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.

8 And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.”

“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”

9 So the chief cup-bearer told Joseph his dream first. “In my dream,” he said, “I saw a grapevine in front of me. 10 The vine had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon it produced clusters of ripe grapes. 11 I was holding Pharaoh’s wine cup in my hand, so I took a cluster of grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

12 “This is what the dream means,” Joseph said. “The three branches represent three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift you up and restore you to your position as his chief cup-bearer. 14 And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. 15 For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.” Genesis 40:5-15

Joseph then interoperates the Baker's dream, as well. Except, it predicts the baker's death instead of restoration to his prior position. Both dreams come true and the cupbearer forgets all about Joseph. How painful must that have been, for Joseph to walk with the Lord closely enough to interpret dreams correctly and see prophecies come to pass - but to not receive freedom. Jesus models this well, by pointing back to the Father consistently. Joseph always responds with giving glory to God for every dream he interprets throughout his story. Joseph embodies humility and trust in God to lead him where he is destined to go.

Through hardship, it's easy to focus so intensely on ourselves and our abilities that we forget to credit God AND we often forget how the Lord uses us to impact others. This moment in Joseph's life validated God's gift and helped restore hope to the cupbearer. It planted the seed for him to remember Joseph at just the right time.

God's Timing

A couple of years go by, and Pharaoh is awoken by two very disturbing dreams. He calls for any and everyone who can possibly help him determine the meaning of these dreams - to no avail. Not any magician or wise man of the land could interpret the dreams. Finally, our cupbearer remembers Joseph in the timing of the Lord.

9 Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh. 10 “Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard. 11 One night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning. 12 There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant. 13 And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole.” Genesis 41:9-13

Joseph is FINALLY remembered! He successfully interprets both dreams all while giving the glory to God. He also not only interprets the upcoming famine but expresses his calling to leadership by handing Pharaoh a well-laid-out plan to give him peace in the face of this news. Joseph's calling for leadership and clear anointing in that arena were at work. He stewarded this calling well in the lows, the highs, in the surprises, and now before Pharaoh.

Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt

37 Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” Genesis 41:37-40

Joseph uses his spiritual giftings and his callings to move into a place of grand servitude towards taking care of the people of Egypt and the surrounding areas. The 7 years of plenty occurred, and 7 years of famine began. But thanks to Joseph, the storehouses of Egypt were prepared. People came from many miles around when word began to spread of grain in Egypt. Amongst the people were Joseph's brothers.

Forgiveness

It would have been easy for Joseph to dismiss his brothers, to practice an eye for an eye. He doesn't. He exercises wisdom, discernment, and true forgiveness towards those who desired his demise. When his brothers arrive, Joseph puts them through a series of tests. He accuses them of being spies and requires them to prove themselves by leaving one brother behind and then bringing their youngest brother back. Joseph also plants the money they paid him back in the grain that's loaded into their caravan home. They arrive home, explain what's happened to Jacob, and then go back with Benjamin (Jacob's full-blood, younger brother).

15 So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double the money and headed off with Benjamin. They finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.” 17 So the man did as Joseph told him and took them into Joseph’s palace.

18 The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house. “It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”

19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food. 21 But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 22 We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”

23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them. Genesis 43:15-18

They then dine with Joseph, where Joseph amazingly seats the brothers in birth order. Joseph instructs his people to place all the money, and Joseph's silver cup, in the sacks of grain the brothers are to leave with in the morning. As you can guess, they are accused of stealing the cup after leaving. The man who stole the cup must stay and be Joseph's slave.

Joseph's servant finds the cup in Benjamin's bag.

19 “My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 And we responded, ‘Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him very much.’

21 “And you said to us, ‘Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.’ 22 But we said to you, ‘My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.’ 23 But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.’

24 “So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said. 25 Later, when he said, ‘Go back again and buy us more food,’ 26 we replied, ‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’

27 “Then my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife had two sons, 28 and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since. 29 Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.[b]’

30 “And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. 31 If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. 32 My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’

33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!”

Joseph couldn't take it any longer.

45 Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace.

3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.[a] 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser[b] to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.

9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’”

12 Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

Forgiveness reigned so beautifully in this story of reconciliation. While it's not always possible, reconciliation together with forgiveness is a beautiful thing in the sight of the Lord. From a family that detested their brother because of his calling to leadership and spiritual gift of dream interpretation to attempt to murder him -- to a family that dined unknowingly at Joseph's table, the man who's "yes" to God in leadership and dream interpretation saved his brothers and their families lives.

Joseph's Calling:

The call on Joseph's life was leadership. It manifested at a young age by finding favor with his father, then with each person in leadership over him in every area of life.

Are you seeing any parallels within your own life and Joseph's? Are their clues to your calling interwoven through childhood and hardship you've faced? The example Joseph showcases in forgiveness is a lesson I believe each one of us can learn from.

Prayer:

God, please lead me and guide me in all things.

Show me the places in my life where envy may unknowingly sit.

I repent and ask your forgiveness. Like Joseph, I ask that you

lead me into my calling and spiritual giftings. Please use the hardships

I've faced for your glory and to bring me into your light by serving others through it.

Amen

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