Topical Bible: God: The Mission of Joseph

◄ God: The Mission of Joseph ►

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The mission of Joseph, as depicted in the Bible, is a profound narrative of divine providence, faithfulness, and redemption. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel. His account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37-50.

Early Life and Dreams

Joseph's mission begins with his early life in Canaan. Favored by his father Jacob, Joseph receives a richly ornamented robe, which incites jealousy among his brothers (Genesis 37:3-4). Joseph's dreams further fuel their envy, as he shares visions of his family bowing down to him (Genesis 37:5-11). These dreams are prophetic, foreshadowing his future rise to power and the fulfillment of God's plan.

Betrayal and Slavery

Joseph's brothers, driven by jealousy, conspire against him. They sell him into slavery, and he is taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Despite this betrayal, God's presence remains with Joseph. In Egypt, he serves Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and finds favor due to his integrity and God's blessing (Genesis 39:2-4).

Imprisonment and Interpretation of Dreams

Joseph's mission takes a challenging turn when he is falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). Even in prison, God's favor is evident as Joseph gains the trust of the warden (Genesis 39:21-23). His ability to interpret dreams becomes crucial when he accurately interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40:5-22).

Rise to Power

Joseph's gift of interpretation ultimately leads to his rise to power. When Pharaoh is troubled by dreams that none can interpret, the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Brought before Pharaoh, Joseph interprets the dreams as a divine warning of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:14-30). Recognizing Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appoints him as second-in-command over Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41).

Preservation of Israel

The mission of Joseph reaches its climax during the years of famine. Joseph's strategic management of resources saves Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation. His brothers, seeking food, unknowingly come before him, fulfilling the earlier dreams (Genesis 42:6-9). Through a series of events, Joseph reveals his identity and extends forgiveness, recognizing God's hand in his journey: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Reconciliation and Legacy

Joseph's mission culminates in the reconciliation of his family. Jacob and his household move to Egypt, where they are provided for during the famine (Genesis 46:5-7). Joseph's faithfulness and obedience to God ensure the preservation of the Israelites, setting the stage for their eventual growth into a great nation.

Joseph's life exemplifies the sovereignty of God in using human circumstances to fulfill divine purposes. His account is a testament to the power of forgiveness, the importance of faith, and the assurance that God works all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 39:2,3,23
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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Genesis 45:7,8
And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
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Genesis 50:20
But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it to good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
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Psalm 105:17-22
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
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Library

Argument from the Prayer of Joseph, to Show that the Baptist May ...
... said of John, and are asking about his mission, I may ... Should the piece entitled
"The prayer of Joseph," one of the ... and Israel, I am an angel of God, a ruling ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/25 argument from the prayer.htm

Of Jacob's Mission to Mesopotamia to Get a Wife, and of the vision ...
... Chapter 38."Of Jacob's Mission to Mesopotamia to Get a ... see heaven open, and the angels
of God ascending and ... he entered into Egypt by his son Joseph, who was ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 38 of jacobs mission to.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God
... The end of God in this administration is"to try whether it be the will of the ... Consider
also the Occasions or opportunities, the mission of Joseph to his ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 10 on the righteousness.htm

God's Purpose for his Church
... spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph
and Daniel ... They forgot God and failed to fulfill their holy mission. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... of superiority on the part of Joseph's Son was ... is immediately added, that the Kingdom
of God was to ... Neither the mission of the disciples, nor their journeying ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

The Passover visit
... not comprehend His mission. Now she did not understand His words; but she knew that
He had disclaimed kinship to Joseph, and had declared His Sonship to God. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

Mission Work in Chicago
... Chapter XIX Mission Work in Chicago. ... had attacked God's children and work and where
God himself had ... I spoke of how Joseph's brethren plotted to take his life ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xix mission work in.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... touching on the preliminaries of John's mission, the baptism ... to 'Adam, which was
the son of God,' and he ... order to Matthew, going upwards from Joseph instead of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

Prologue: the Parentage and Birth of Marie Francoise Therese ...
... its Child, and the calm abysmal love of Mary and Joseph"Nazareth, adorable ... base earth"
and "black fog" to the very throne of God, and her mission is as ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/prologue the parentage & birth.htm

Prologue: the Parentage and Birth of Marie Fran??oise Therese ...
... its Child, and the calm abysmal love of Mary and Joseph"Nazareth, adorable ... base earth"
and "black fog" to the very throne of God, and her mission is as ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/prologue the parentage & birth.htm