Genesis 37-41: Success in Everything He Did

Joseph's dream that he and his brothers were all sheaves of grain when his sheaf rose upright and all of the brother's sheaves gathered around and bowed down to his sheaf, did not make his brothers love him more.  In fact, they hated him all the more for it.  Joseph, himself, must have thought it was a foolish dream as he was being sold in Egypt by the Midianites, who bought him from his brothers, and later as he languished in Pharoah's prison for years.  But it was not a pipe dream.  It was true.  God was with Joseph throughout all of his trials; they were all for his good and the good of his family.

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. - Gen. 39:2-4 NIV

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. - Gen 39:20-23 NIV

The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did, even under the most extenuating circumstances. Joseph, for his part was faithful and trustworthy.  He didn't sit around and bemoan his fate while in Potiphar's house or in prison.  He used his God given abilities to bring successful results to those who were over him and to win their favor.   As a result, Joseph prospered and because of him, his family prospered as well.

We may not receive the dreams from God that Joseph did, but we have the promise. Like Joseph, we cannot just sit back and wait for God's promise.  Even under adversity, we have to use all of our abilities and talents, so that God can prosper others through us.  If we are faithful and trustworthy, God will bring his plan about.  He will be with us and give us success in whatever we do even when the end result is not apparent.

2010 Post - Genesis 37-41:  The Dreamer in the Flashy Coat