Rescue & Recover - The Joseph Story?

Joseph was the favored son of the woman (Rachel) his father (Jacob) loved. He had dreams that were not well received by his brothers, which caused him to eventually be sold into slavery. This gift would later be key to him receiving his freedom. His dreams while in Egypt were key to at least two nations flourishing for seven years and then surviving seven years of famine that followed.

If we endure hard times, God will eventually elevate us to our place of promise.

The story was not about Joseph, but he played an integral part. It was not about him. Joseph received a new name, a robe, and authority, but this was not the payoff. He was taken from the land of the covenant, worked for a pagan king, bowed to the pagan king, married a pagan priest's daughter, and acted on behalf of a pagan nation to ensure its survival. He had a new identity.

Genesis 41.38-41

Pharoah praised and rewarded Joseph for the very reason his brothers wanted him killed. Joseph was placed over the house of Pharoah. Joseph found himself seemingly in the wrong house and in the wrong land. Everything was wrong. You see, Joseph already had a robe (of many colors), he already had a land (the promised land), he already had a father (Jacob), he already had a God (Jehovah) and he already had a name (Joseph). Everything was wrong. When Joseph had the dream he thought it would be in his land, among his own people. But the truth was these circumstances would be fulfilled among "the wrong people, in the wrong land, among false gods."

Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (causing to forget), for he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and hardship and all [the sorrow of the loss of] my father’s household.” (Genesis 41:51)

But why did he name his son with a Hebrew name? He named him with deliberate intent.

He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52)

This was subtly stating that Joseph had not forgotten who he was. He was not an Egyptian, but a Hebrew. Joseph's circumstances were not as good as they would get. While in the midst, he chose to forgive. He did not define himself by his difficulties. He decided to let it all go, which included the most painful, his family's rejection and its results. He loudly declared that he was alright. He was not going to define himself by the past but looked toward the future.

Even though Joseph was loved and respected in Egypt, this was still his land of affliction. He was not in the covenant land. He realized and told his brothers that if it were not for them, Joseph would not be who he was. Joseph realized the ultimate purpose of his suffering, was to go ahead of the family to save them. God rescued Israel through Jospeh's affliction. Unbeknownst to his brothers when they tried to kill Joseph, they were trying to kill their rescuer.

Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). Proverbs 19:21

Joseph had to go through his affliction to save the seed (Judah). Look at the generations that come after Judah and you will find King David and then on the Jesus. Joseph's life made Jesus possible. Through Joseph's sacrifice came Jesus' sacrifice. God set up an order of events, that led to the orchestration of our rescue.