The Story of Joseph

"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand" - Genesis 41

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Joseph

Next we move on to another important person in God's plan whose name was Joseph. The story of Joseph is among those that are most favored in the Bible. As Jacob grew older, ten of his sons got jealous of their younger brother, Joseph, because Jacob adored Joseph. Joseph was receiving revelations and dreams at a very young age and dreamed they would all bow down to him someday. The 10 brothers got so mad that they sold him to a caravan going to Egypt and then told their father that he was dead. Later Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams by the Holy Spirit:

Gen 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Joseph was faithful to God and became a main ruler in Egypt:

Gen 41:39-44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand . . ."

Just as the dream had foretold, a famine came throughout the world and in the land of Canaan it was very severe so Joseph's 10 brothers came to Egypt in search of food. They all bowed down to him, and after testing them, Joseph revealed to them his true identity, and forgave them. God saved the whole family from the famine and they came down to live in Egypt.

The story of Joseph is an amazing story because it reveals how God in His foreknowledge, planned far in advance, knowing that the Hebrews wouldn't survive in Canaan because of the coming famine and other circumstances, but needed to be brought down into Egypt where they would not only survive but multiply exceedingly. God ordained the situation with Joseph so that He would preserve His people and fulfill His promises to Abraham.

Later Joseph said to his brothers:

Gen 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Gen 50:24-26 And Joseph said to his brethren, "I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here." So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.