Joseph’s Story: Privilege to Prison

Genesis 37-39

Personal Note: To help us understand the flow of Scripture, we are using the acronym CAMDE—400—CALY. The acronym represents:

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400 (years between the Old and New Testaments). Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

To this point, we have covered:

CREATION (Gen. 1-11)                         

• Adam and Eve 
• Cain and Abel
• Noah
• Tower of Babel

ABRAHAM (Gen. 12-50)

• Abraham and Sarah
• Isaac and Rebekah
• Jacob, Rachel, and Leah

Today, we will begin God’s story in Joseph. 

Jacob should have known better. He grew up experiencing the repercussions of his parents’ overt favoritism, yet it seems he couldn’t help himself.  

After Rachel died, Jacob’s affection focused on their two sons, Benjamin and Joseph. He even made a special tunic for Joseph, which set the young man apart as the favorite.[1] Scripture tells us that Jacob “loved Joseph more than any other of his sons” (Gen. 37:3). 

My thoughts about Joseph’s character during his teenage years are mixed. His first recorded act was to bring a negative report about his brothers to his father (Gen. 37:2). Was he a snitch, or was he trying to protect the family business? 

Two dreams Joseph shared with his father and brothers about the future infuriated them even more because the visions indicated that his family would one day serve him (Gen. 37:5-8; 37:9). We now know those dreams were from God. However, Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's recounting of what God was revealing to him sparked hatred and jealousy among his siblings (Gen. 37:4, 8, 11). 

When Joseph, wearing his prized tunic, went to Shechem to check on his brothers, they plotted to get rid of him (Gen. 37:20). They stripped “the dreamer” of his robe and threw him into a pit (Gen. 37:20-24). There was no remorse, no second thoughts as Joseph begged for his life. 

Soon, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders arrived, and instead of killing Joseph, they sold him into slavery for twenty shekels of silver. With the deed done and the problem of Joseph solved, they led Jacob to believe that his favorite son had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob “tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days,” refusing to be comforted (Gen. 37:31-35). 

But Joseph was very much alive. His “feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron” (Ps. 105:17-18) as he was led to Egypt. Try to imagine the thoughts swirling through his mind. At the hands of his own brothers, the seventeen-year-old with big dreams was forced to trade a robe for chains and now stood on a slave-trading block, soon to be sold. 

The psalmist said that, until those big dreams came to pass, “the word of the Lord tested him” (Ps. 105:19). God’s story in Joseph was just beginning! 

Joseph was purchased from the slave market by Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials (Gen. 37:36). As he served Potiphar, “the Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Gen. 39:2), and “the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands” (Gen. 39:3). Over time, Joseph earned Potiphar’s trust and was put in charge of his entire household. God’s blessings on Joseph extended to Potiphar, from his house to his fields (Gen. 39:5). 

Joseph’s mother, Rachel, was very attractive, described as “beautiful in form and appearance” (Gen. 29:17). Joseph inherited his mother’s looks, as he was said to be “handsome in form and appearance” (Gen. 39:6). Soon, Potiphar’s wife took notice of him and pressed him daily to engage in sexual relations (Gen. 39:10); however, Joseph remained guarded against her advances until one day, when they were alone in the house, she grabbed his garment. He escaped, but not without leaving his tunic in her hand. She used the garment as evidence in her accusation that Joseph had tried to assault her. 

When Potipher heard his wife’s account, his “anger was kindled” (Gen. 39:19), and he threw Joseph into prison, where Joseph remained until he was thirty years old. 

God has many more chapters to write in Joseph’s life. Following his story is like riding a roller coaster through the text. A special son, then a shackled slave. Sharing dreams, then standing on an auction block. Serving faithfully, then falsely accused. Blessed by God, then thrown into prison. 

Joseph had stood firm in the face of temptation; he had run from sexual immorality, yet his obedience led to a prison sentence! Where were the blessings now? Had God forgotten Joseph?

If the story ended here, it would seem unfair. But God was with Joseph.

Your story may feel unfair now, but it doesn’t stop here. Don’t quit on God. He will never quit on you. He is still writing his story in your life. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD

Read and reflect on Genesis 37-39:  What might God be developing in you during your current waiting season?

Talking to God: Pray that God will give you the patience to wait on him. 

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SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.

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