FROM RAGS TO RICHES

by Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

One of my most favorite verses of Scripture in the New Testament is found in the Book of Romans. It reads,

Romans 8:28 (NIV) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Here is a timeless truth God promises to all those who are His genuine children by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, "all things work together for good to them that love ..." In the Old Testament, we have a perfect illustration of this in the life of a man named Joseph. In our text we will meet a man and hear his dramatic story. The story of a young man who went from the "pit to the palace" and from "rags to riches," who in the end found that indeed, all things worked together for good to them that love God.

Joseph's life demonstrates how God chooses and molds a man in order to use him to accomplish His overall purpose. In this particular case it was to save Joseph's family from future starvation and death. In order to have Jacob's family go to Egypt, to later become a great nation and return to the land of Canaan for their inheritance - God had to send His servant ahead to prepare the way. However, that process was a painful one, one wrought with the sins of hatred, bitterness, greed, jealousy, immorality and revenge. But before we get down to today's story of a man whose dream came true, we'll pause and listen to another moment of musical refreshment…

… In the world of proper Bible interpretation, Joseph in the Old Testament is seen as a tremendous example or type of Christ. For if you examine his life in any area, pictures of the Lord Jesus Christ shine forth in all its beauty. However, God has given us the story of Joseph to especially help us learn some practical spiritual lessons. For the experiences of his life reflect pathways into all our lives and how Joseph handled them gives us God's answer to life's dilemmas.

To begin, we must ask ourselves who was Joseph anyway? Well the Bible tells us he was the eleventh son of Jacob and first son of Rachel, and great-grandson of Abraham & Sarah, God's chosen couple to bring forth the seed that would produce the Messiah and Savior of the world. Jacob through Leah and Rachel, brought forth twelve sons who became the fathers of the nation of Israel. However, God gives us a glimpse into the life of this family as the story of Joseph begins in Genesis chapter thirty-seven. Here We find Joseph as a young man seventeen years of age out in the desert tending his father's flocks with his brothers. The story opens with jealousy and strife. The family was not the traditional family we know today. It was a blended family where two wives shared the same husband. The first wife Leah gave Jacob ten sons, and the second wife Rachel, Jacob's true love, brought forth two sons Joseph and Benjamin. God reveals this was not a happy family. Jealousy, strife, bickering and unrest plague Jacob's home as the sons with differing mother's battled for the blessings of their father.

Now, God doesn't spare us the details and the story tells us of the weakness, sinfulness and even foolishness of all the family members. Yet this great story from the Old Testament also tells us how God's love upon this fallen family never departs as God works through their problems and works out all the hurts and tragedies to bring them God's greatest blessings.

Today, I think most people, Christians and non-Christians, know the basic story of Joseph's life. His brothers hated him for it appears their father Jacob played favorites. Their bitterness and hate finally turns to such anger as they plotted to remove Joseph from the family forever. Their plan end up by selling Joseph to slave traders going to Egypt. Their hope and sinful dream was to never see this young lad again! Aah, but God had other plans as we will see. But poor young Joseph. How he cried as he was carried away from his home and family. How the pain stabbed him in every emotion of his heart to know he would never see his beloved Father Jacob and His loving mother Rachel again. Cruel was fate, and even more cruel was the life he was now to live. Although life in the family of Jacob was by no means poverty, now he become the lowest of life, the poorest of souls, a slave going to Egypt to be sold like cattle. We read in the Bible what happened at this point,

Genesis 37:36 (NIV) "Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard."

Life now would be harsh, and there was really no future for this young man who had been reduced to slave-hood and rags. However, God had a plan. Nothing happened to Joseph that would not be used by God for good. For you see, God was superintending the life of this young man who faithfully and fully believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and his father Jacob. Joseph was a firm and strong believer in this one true God we worship in the Christian faith today. Now it may be helpful to note some other things about Joseph. For instance, we know that Joseph was an extremely handsome man and physically well built (Gen. 39:6).

As a slave he could be used for whatever purpose his master desired. Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, was an influential and wealthy man. The Bible tells us how Joseph responded to his dilemma and cruel fate. Rather than becoming bitter, angry and resentful - Joseph saw this twist in life the will of God. Although he didn't understand it, he willingly accepted it and determined to make the best of it by still living righteously before God and man. So Joseph saw his new life and work as a place to shine forth the beauty of his love for God. We are told in Scripture Joseph excelled in his faithfulness to serve Potiphar. We read in

Genesis 39:1-6 (NIV) "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 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. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate…,"

How did Joseph face his trials and troubles? He didn't withdraw from life, nor did he pine away, nor did he strike out against all around him - no, he saw it as an opportunity to display his love for God, and to do the best he could under the situation he found himself in. As a result, God blessed him and made everything that Joseph touched, prosper. Now, Joseph began as a dreamer. God had given him a prophetic dream that no one at the time could understand, but later the dream was clearly shown to come true and be a blessing to everyone in Jacob's household. However dreams do not make a satisfying and rewarding life. Jacob learned obedience to all who were over him, and as a result he labored faithfully in hard places. Yet, we see Jacob also experienced that wherever God sent him, God was with him. My friend, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ today, no place on earth, no experience so bad and awful can ever come your way, where God will not be with you to help you through and to find victory in it.

This is the story of Joseph, however, before God would accomplish his final purposes in Joseph's life, this young man still had some serious pruning to be done by the heavenly vinedresser. We find that Joseph's beauty, brains and brawn brought some temptations. Potiphar's wife who was often left alone as her husband went off on business for the Pharaoh, was lonely. She also noticed the beauty of Joseph and was attracted to him. We find she one day plotted to lure Joseph into her bedroom where she planned to seduce him. However, when the time came, and the situation was well underway, we read how Joseph responded,

Genesis 39:6-11 (NIV) "So he [Potiphar] left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" 8 But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. "

The story continues how she plotted to force Joseph into this immoral relationship. However when the event unfolded, Joseph resisted and fled. Grace was his to flee youthful lusts, for as he said before "how can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Joseph resisted temptation and remained pure. What an example for all of us today. Especially young people. Statistics today say that among our youth in their teen years, more than 90% of them have fallen to sexual immorality. The mind of Joseph's godless mistress is the mind of the unsaved secular world today, but the promise of the Bible is if one is a Christian, they need not fall, for even in the moment of most serious temptation, the answer is to "flee youthful lusts," as Joseph did. But next let's notice how Joseph faced the adversities that came for being faithful to God.

You see when we obey God, we shame the devil as the expression says. However, the devil is not only shamed, but angered. He always strikes out against believers who obey God in trying times. What did Satan do? Well, Mrs. Potiphar rebuffed in her, was inflamed with rage and hatred now for Joseph. When her husband came home she accused Joseph of attempting to rape her. She showed proof by submitting Joseph coat she had held onto as Joseph fled. Now, Potiphar who loved Joseph, felt betrayed, and had no choice but to punish him for this great sin. We read what happened.

Genesis 39:20-23 (NIV) "Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 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. 23 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."

What a fate! Obey God and rather than receive blessing be cast into prison! What was God doing to this faithful young man? Well, the answer came to me the night before I put together this message for you. I remembered a poem I found many years ago which I saved. It was a poem that speaks of God's mysterious dealings with His children, and yet it reveals the Master's purpose in all these things. Permit me now to quote this poem for you. I know not the author, but I do know who wrote it surely must have experienced a similar crucible of suffering and trials Joseph went through. Here is the poem,

Yes my friend, that is God's strange but sovereign way. Such was God's work in and through Joseph. Yet, we are told numerous times, "the Lord was with him." God caused him to prosper in everything he did even though he was reduced to "rags," and a pitiful life.

But now the crowning moment of the story unfolds when this dreamer who was given to dreams from the Lord, is given an opportunity to interpret the dreams of two other prisoners in the jail. These two men suffering there were Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. Somehow they had fallen into disfavor and were cast out. But Joseph is asked if he can interpret their dreams. Of course Joseph could not do that anymore than you or I can, as he rightly said, but with God nothing is impossible. Since God gave these special dreams to the baker and cupbearer to the King, God also sovereignly chose to reveal the meaning of the dreams to Joseph who in turn tells them. Now both these dreams were simple depiction's of a future event that would amazingly come true. The Cupbearer's dream told of his restoration to the King's service in three days. The Baker's dream was not so good. For in three days he was to be executed. It must have been a terrible meal he served to cause that, but suffice it to say, both dreams came true! The cupbearer was released and restored to the Pharaoh's service. Now you'd think he would remember Joseph's kindness and put a good word in for him with Pharaoh, but no such luck. Again everything Joseph does in kindness to his fellow man and faithfulness to God, is not rewarded! This, from a human perspective, would drive any of us to despair and hopelessness, maybe even bitterness and rage. We see this in society when people who think they've been wronged strike out and take revenge killing fellow workers or innocent people just to see other suffer as they are doing. How sad. But not Joseph!

Yet now we see that God's work in Joseph's life, in preparing this young man for the highest position in governing service, is about to be over. Joseph unspoiled by fate, preserved from impurity of body and soul, and sweetened by the bittersweet trials of life - is not ready to ascend to a throne. Through certain quirks of fate as we would call it - Pharaoh has a dream too and learns of Joseph's ability to interpret. Joseph interprets the king's dreams about a coming seven year famine that will wipe out people. Joseph devises a plan to save grain during the prosperous years ahead so when the famine strikes grain will be there for their needs. Joseph is elevated to second in command and he carries out the plan. Now this plan is also God's plan to bring the aged Jacob and his family to Egypt where God planned to make them a great nation.

Well, the famine soon strikes the land, and Jacob's family is about to starve. He sends his sons to Egypt to barter for grain. Joseph finally confronts his brothers. How does he respond? Does he take revenge? The answer is no. Joseph was pruned by God Himself and His life now is one filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and grace. The days of honor that followed his painful years of humiliation did not result in a pompous pride, but rather humble heart. We read how tenderly Joseph reacts to meeting those brothers who long ago abandoned him and cruelly sold him as a slave.

Genesis 42:6-8 (NIV) "Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger… 42:24 (NIV) "He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again…"

Here we see Joseph manifested great wisdom, brotherly love, filial devotion, and utter submission to God. He could have returned evil for evil, but rather he returns kindness and goodness. In the end after testing his brothers sincerity of sorrow and repentance - Joseph reveals who he is and invites his whole family to Egypt to live until the famine is gone. Pharaoh who hold's Joseph in high esteem, welcomes them and gives them their own land, called Goshen to live. Yes, the man whose dreams came true, ascended from rags to riches. This I believe is one of the finest Bible stories, a real life story of what God can do through those whom God drills for His holy service. Say friend what about you? Going through any hard places? Experiencing any dark valley's and evil turn of events? If so, realize that if you are a child of God - "all things," the Bible says, "work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

We can now see, Joseph confidence was not in his ability to understand his circumstances, but his trust in his God of all circumstances. We learn here that when God cannot rule, He over rules, and where God rules, His children prosper even in and through the valley's of darkness. If there ever was an encouragement to become a child of God it is in and through the story of Joseph. God loved him and planned a happy prosperous life. We learn that after becoming Pharaoh's governor of Egypt, God gave Joseph a beautiful loving wife and a fine family. Joseph lived to a ripe old age and ended well. But all through his life he loved God and looked for the hope to come, the Messiah of old promised to God's people who one day would save His people from their sins.

Today my friend, that Messiah has come. His name is Jesus Christ, and He still waits to save everyone who comes to him by faith. If you don't know Christ as your Lord and Savior, call upon Him right now to save you. He will hear and answer, and you can be assured your life too will be under the loving watchcare of God above. If you are a believer today, use Joseph's life example to maintain your purity of body and soul, you gentleness and humility of heart and mind, and most of all your faith to believe God will yet deliver you.

My friend keep your dreams alive. Let the story of Joseph help you to remember that through the darkest days and nights, God is with those who love Him, and regardless of the events both negative and positive, God will work everyone of them out for good in the life of His children. This perspective is the ability to see things as they really are, and not dwell on the circumstances around us. So, the importance of having firm convictions, accepting forgiveness when genuinely offered, handling bitterness and pride are all revealed in the story of Joseph, a man strength of character and grace. May his life, that depicts the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, be our example as we too experience all that life brings to us. May God add His blessing to us all as we think on these things, for Jesus sake. Amen.

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.

For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(wwyfin@sparc.isl.net), or visit our webpage at [ http://www.isl.net/wwyweb.html ].