JOSEPH: A FAVORITE SON WHO BECAME A SLAVE

" 'Seek his kingdom and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given as well' " (Matt. 6:33).

Let's track the life and career of a Bible character
who experienced phenomenal success, despite what
seemed to be impossible circumstances. His name is
Joseph. Joseph's life demonstrates that God is at work
in all of our lives, whether we recognize it or not!

Joseph was a great- grandson ofAbraham. His father,
Jacob, favored him above his 11 brothers. Genesis 37-50
is devoted to telling Joseph's success story. Joseph's brothers
had grown increasingly jealous of him because they believed
their father treated him a special. Joseph made the situation
worse when he bragged about two of his dreams. In the dreams
the symbols for his father, mother, and brother bowed down to
Joseph. The brothers were so angry they actually considered
killing him! Instead, they sold him as a slave to a group of
Midianite traders in a passing caravan on the way to Egypt.
From that point forward, Joseph's life changed dramatically!

The comforts of home disappeared. Joseph no longer enjoyed
the "favored son" status. He could not run to his father, Jacob.
He had no one to turn to but God! You might say Joseph was in
the perfect life position to learn God's kingdom agenda!