Joseph: The Prosperous Man | Genesis 36–40 | Day 8 of 238

Joseph was a young dreamer. His brothers were jealous of him and his dreams and conspired to kill him. Reuben, in an attempt to save his brother, advised that they only throw him into a hole instead. Unknown to Reuben, the rest of Joseph’s brothers eventually sold him to the Midianite merchants — the Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt.

Joseph arrived in Egypt to become a slave. But he was a slave with a difference. God was with him. Whatever he touched turned to gold; whatever he laid his hands upon to do prospered. He was so prosperous, the Bible says, “…he was a prosperous man” (Gen 39:2).

Potiphar handed all the affairs of his house and his business to Joseph. In fact, it got to a point, Potiphar only concerned himself with the food he ate. Potiphar trusted Joseph because he “saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did” (Gen 39:3 NIV). Even when he was lied against by Potiphar’s wife after he was sent to jail; in jail, he was put in charge over all the proceedings in prison because God was with him.

LESSON: You are a/an […put your profession here…] with a difference: A lawyer with a difference, a musician with a difference, a cleaner with a difference! Joseph’s testimony was “God was with him.” Now God is in you. Jesus said, “you are the light of the world.” Go into your world and shine! Don’t be discouraged by the class of profession you’re engaged in. Joseph was a slave yet he was “a prosperous man” (Gen 39:2).
SAY THIS: I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

Joseph’s brothers hated him for being diligent (Gen 37:2) and for expressing his dreams to them. Joseph had had these revelatory dreams about his future and that of his brothers, but when he told them with love, they hated him the more for it and plotted his demise. Remember, they were already jealous that their father [Jacob] loved Joseph more, the Bible says, they couldn’t speak to him kindly (Gen 37:4).

As a Christian, you should know, God has stood you out [sanctified you] from the world (1 Cor 6:11), and when you stand out from the norm you attract followers and admirers, as well as critics and adversaries. This Year of Lights, you are to so shine in your world (Matt 5:16). Shining at this glorious rate and capacity in the world (in darkness) draws a lot of eyes toward you and those eyes aren’t necessarily all going to be in your favour. Saint John encouraged saying, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13 KJV). Do not be surprised; Saint John is saying, ‘brace yourself.’ The world may hate you, they may spite you as you do much good, but one thing is certain: their works against you will always be fruitless because you’ll always win.

Joseph’s brothers; little did they know that God would use their despise for Joseph to bless him. Another important thing to note is: Joseph, in spite of all his challenges, stood by God and his faith, he must’ve known “…our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

I have told you before; In Christ we are indomitable. It doesn’t matter how the enemy (the devil) wants to come at us, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS (Rom 8:37). We do not cower, we do not give up, we do not give in, we do not faint; we fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12) and we come out victorious always (1 Cor 15:57).

Therefore, shine! (Rom 12:31). Don’t hold back — Unleash your light in all its essence through Christ. You have overcome the world! (1 John 5:4).

Glory to God! Hallelujah!!!

Follow us to study the entire Bible in 238 days this year.

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