By Pastor Shana Wise
The Story of Joseph
Joseph experienced things in his life that mirrored what Christ went through centuries later….
He had to go down to "Egypt” so God could “exhaust him” in Egypt as a prince. He saved his
family from the family and those in Egypt and the surrounding areas.
Like his father, Joseph experienced a revival too (reuniting with his family after many years).
Joseph's relational losses:
He was separated from his family at around the age of 17
He was sold into slavery
He was down in prison
He was forgotten about in prison
The Lord was with Joseph, just like he was with his father Jacob.
Gen 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian
Gen 39:23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
Even though Joseph had endured years of hardship trials and major losses, God was with him.
The character of Joseph
Growing up in his family, as a youth, Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. The special treatment may have affected Joseph’s character in thinking that he was more special than his brothers.
God had given Joseph two dreams and his youth, and he told them to his family. He did not give God credit when he did this. This shows the lack of maturity in what God showed him and his dreams.
Joseph also would report back to his father about what his brothers were doing. He was a tattletale.
It was during the time that Joseph was in Egypt, God matured and humbled him. During Joseph’s tests and trials God was developing him to be a future leader of Egypt. Part of the development was working on his character.
How has God humbled you through the testing of your faith?
Where is God taking you?
Before Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, he had experienced a special blessing from God through the birth of his sons. These sons represented a type of spiritual revival for Joseph.
We see this and the naming of his sons.
Theme Scripture Gen 41:51-52, Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” 52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Manasseh means causing to forget.
Ephraim means fruitful.
You know that you have changed, and your spirit has been revived when you are able to look back on your hardships, troubles, and pains and see that God was with you the whole time. When the pains of the past, do not bother you anymore, rather you see how God worked at all for your good. (Rom. 8:28).
Joseph’s response to his revival:
Kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and extending grace to his brothers.
Gen. 45:7-8 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Tears of Joy
Gen. 46:29 So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
Is. 61:2-3 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To]console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
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About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
Books available on Amazon:
Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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