The Patience of Joseph

People often mention the patience of Job, but Joseph was the poster child of patience.

His patience began when he was seventeen, and his brothers sold him as a slave. He was taken to Egypt, where he ended up serving Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. Recognizing that God was with Joseph, Potiphar made Joseph the overseer of his house. But Joseph was still a slave.

Potiphar’s wife decided that she wanted Joseph. When he resisted all of her advances, she framed him for attempted rape, and Potiphar threw Joseph in prison. God helped Joseph gain favor with the keeper of the prison who put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. But Joseph was still in prison. 

Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker ended up in prison. Both had dreams, which God enabled Joseph to interpret. Knowing that the cupbearer would be reinstated, Joseph asked the cupbearer to tell Pharaoh about Joseph. But the cupbearer forgot about Joseph, and Joseph remained in prison. 

Two years later, when Pharaoh had dreams that no one could interpret, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh made Joseph second in command over Egypt.

Joseph spent thirteen years as a slave and prisoner before God set his feet upon a rock. But those years were necessary for God’s plan. The betrayal of Joseph’s brothers brought Joseph to Egypt. The false accusation made by Potiphar’s wife put Joseph in Pharaoh’s prison. Interpreting the cupbearer’s dream gave Joseph an ally in Pharaoh’s court. Interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams about a famine to come put Joseph in a position where God could use him to save thousands of people, including Joseph’s family—God’s chosen people—from starvation.

When you wait patiently, God will come through, not just for you but also for others.

Questions for Reflection and Application

• Joseph spent thirteen years as a slave and prisoner—thirteen years! What is the longest amount of time that you have suffered? How did you make it through that period?
• Consider some tough times that you have endured. How did God use those times as a part of his plan? How patient were you with God? If you could go back and live through those periods again, what would you do differently?
• What disciplines can you undertake to increase your patience?