Joseph’s story has been one of the most publicized stories in Christianity because it is the triumphant story of an underdog. Who doesn’t like underdogs?
I’ve heard pastors pull from Joseph’s life to talk about the dangers of telling your dreams to other people. I’ve also heard messages encouraging listeners to believe that there is a higher place for them in society through Joseph’s journey of moving from prison to the palace.
But what if Joseph’s story mirrored ours more closely than previously explored? What if his increase was more gradual than not? What if he was more like us?
Many people fail to realize that for Joseph to become a ruler in Egypt, he first had to manage times, seasons, and assignments. Ultimately, in those times and seasons, he gained insight and wisdom from the necessary assignments to help him rule effectively in Pharaoh’s palace.
Let’s think of it like this:
Before Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Genesis 37:2, he was an employee in the family business. Essentially, Joseph co-labored with his family in the shepherding business.
When his brothers sold him, he went from being an employee to a manager of an entire estate. Genesis 39:4 states, “Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” This scripture shows us that Joseph has just been upgraded.
Of course, elevation does not come without new obstacles, so it’s unsurprising that Joseph was sentenced to prison. However, Genesis 39:23-24 reads, “So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Can you see the elevation here? Though Joseph is in prison, he is now the manager of an entire district of people. Joseph has just moved from managing one man’s estate to managing the district’s prison and prisoners.
But wait, there’s more...
When Joseph leaves the prison, he is elevated to a regional manager position. In Genesis 41 “40-41, the Bible states that Pharaoh tells him, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you [...] I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
Friends, while Joseph had to endure challenges, it is essential to remember that God is the author and finisher of our stories, like in his story. Yes, we will all have to face obstacles, but each thing we overcome prepares us for destiny.
God showed Joseph the destination’s end at 17, but it didn’t come to pass until he was in his 30s.
What has He shown you, and what life circumstances have prepared you to step into your destiny moment? I’m confident that if you look at your life more closely, you’ll see that God has been incrementally upgrading you. If He took you from the bottom to the top in one great push, then you'd threaten to lose the blessing and that's no fun for anyone. So God in His faithfulness increases you incrementally.
Check out the video below to hear the entire teaching on Joseph.
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