Topical Bible: God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt

◄ God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the narrative of Joseph, the son of Jacob, God is vividly portrayed as the Preserver, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine purposes and safeguard His chosen people. Joseph's account, found primarily in the Book of Genesis, illustrates God's providential care and sovereign control over the circumstances of His faithful servant, ultimately leading to the preservation of the nation of Israel.

Joseph's Early Life and Trials

Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:28). Despite this betrayal, God was with Joseph, preserving him through his trials. In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. "The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the house of his Egyptian master" (Genesis 39:2). Even when falsely accused and imprisoned, God's presence remained with Joseph, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden (Genesis 39:21).

Divine Favor and Rise to Power

God's preservation of Joseph is further demonstrated through his rise to power in Egypt. Interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was elevated to the position of second-in-command, tasked with preparing for the coming famine (Genesis 41:39-41). This elevation was not merely for Joseph's benefit but served a greater purpose in God's plan. "God has made me lord of all Egypt," Joseph later acknowledged (Genesis 45:9).

Preservation of Israel

The famine that struck Egypt and the surrounding regions was severe, yet through Joseph's God-given wisdom, Egypt was prepared. Joseph's brothers, seeking food, unknowingly came before him, fulfilling the dreams Joseph had as a youth (Genesis 42:6-9). In a poignant moment of reconciliation, Joseph revealed his identity and recognized God's hand in his journey: "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you" (Genesis 45:5).

Joseph's role as preserver extended beyond his immediate family. By bringing his father Jacob and his entire household to Egypt, Joseph ensured the survival of the nascent nation of Israel during the famine (Genesis 46:5-7). God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were safeguarded through Joseph's position and actions.

God's Sovereign Purpose

The account of Joseph in Egypt underscores the theme of divine preservation. Despite human intentions for harm, God's sovereign purpose prevailed. Joseph himself articulated this truth to his brothers: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people" (Genesis 50:20).

Through Joseph, God not only preserved the physical lives of His people but also maintained the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. The account of Joseph is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His ability to use even the most adverse circumstances for His glory and the good of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 39:2,21
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... JOSEPH, THE PARDONER AND PRESERVER. GROWTH BY TRANSPLANTING. TWO RETROSPECTS OF
ONE LIFE. 'THE HANDS OF THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB'. ... JOSEPH'S FAITH. A COFFIN IN EGYPT ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/

Genesis.
... In doing this God is revealed as Creator, Preserver, Law-Giver, Judge and ... Above all
we learn about the nature and work of God. ... 1. Jacob and Joseph, Chs.37-45. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter i genesis.htm

Contents
... JOSEPH, THE PARDONER AND PRESERVER. ... 'THE HANDS OF THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB' (Genesis
49:23, 24). ... JOSEPH'S FAITH (Genesis 50:25). A COFFIN IN EGYPT (Genesis 50:26). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/contents.htm

The Statements of Iren??us in Regard to the Divine Scriptures.
... the Ebionites say [1495] that he was begotten by Joseph.". ... And this was nothing
wonderful for God to do, who ... of Lagus, or Ptolemy Soter (the Preserver), was king ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii the statements of irenaeus.htm

The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... secure building, and He is its preserver from the ... Abihu were burned, who transgressed
the commandment of God. ... Joseph, because of his faith, was tried in the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/the demonstrations of aphrahat.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... the God of the heathen,"the Creator, Preserver, and Governor ... custom of designating
the kingdom of God from its ... the ten tribes, he speaks of Joseph and Samaria ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... our young furnisher of corn, and second Joseph: though of ... gain from the famine, and
bought up Egypt [4469] in ... to drink, who are a hungered for God, [4471] and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Edom, or Moab, or even the veterans of Egypt and Assyria. ... Gen.1.20, end of the story
of Joseph: "And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... I am silent about other places, that I may not seem to despair of God's mercy. ... of
nations and their tomb; that all the shores of the East, of Egypt, of Africa ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... is called the soul-keeper, the soul-preserver, (Proverbs 24 ... But what is committing
of the soul to God? ... to prison" (Acts 8:3). And thus Joseph's master committed ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm