JOSEPH THE MAN OF GOD
Gen 37- 50

I Background
   A. God told Abraham that he would bless the Earth through his seed - 18: 11-15
   B. His Son Isaac had two sons ( Jacob & Esau )
   C. Jacob , the trickster , received Esau's birthright because Esau did not want to serve God
   D. Jacob ( later called Israel ) had 12 sons - 2 ( Joseph and Benjamin ) by Rachel

II. Joseph Was Envied By His Brother's
   A. His Father openly loved him the most since Rachel was his Mother
   B. Joseph dreamed that his Father , Mother , and brothers was someday bow before him
   C. His Father gave him a coat of " many " colors to show his love for him

III. Trouble Comes To Joseph
   A. When he checks on his brothers they throw him in a pit planning to leave him to die - 37;12-14
   B. Reuben planned to save him ; Judah did not want him to die - he was sold as a slave
   C. They dip his coat in goat's blood and tell their Father that a wild animal killed him
   D. Joseph in Egypt
      i) he becomes a slave to Potiphar - 39:1
      ii) Potiphar's wife wants to have sex with Joseph but he says he can not sin against God 39:9
      iii) Potiphar throws him into prison
      iv ) through God's help Joseph interprets dreams of the Baker and Butler of the Pharaoh
      v) later he interprets Pharaoh's dream - Pharaoh promotes him to Prime Minister of Egypt

IV. Joseph Saves His Family
   A. Because of famine his brother's come to Egypt to buy grain ; they bow to him not recognizing him
   B. He forgives them and has his Father and young brother Benjamin to live in Egypt in the Land of Goshen

V. Take Homes
   A. Like everyone in the Pariarchal Period , God blessed Joseph when he obeyed him
   B. Joseph had 3 problems ( pit , slavery , and prison ) that he did not deserve - he continued trusting God
   C. Even when his brothers meant evil to him - God used them problems to save the world thru Joseph - 50:20
   D. Joseph never forgot that he belonged in the Promise land - not Egypt 50:24-32