The following is a true story, but the writer takes the liberty of calling Joe, “Joe” from the beginning, even though he was called different things throughout his life, depending on his then current circumstances. Joe’s situation may have been at times better than some slaves, but his attitude toward his circumstances shows that no matter what had happened, he would overcome in the end. His amazing story began on a day like most other days…

The morning shone bright and beautiful with fresh promise as Joe stepped outdoors. He heard his father calling and ran to him. His father had an errand for him nearby the next village, an errand which he often ran and was not much unusual for him. He enjoyed his father and always desired pleasing him, for his father blessed him in many ways and he knew he held a closer relationship to his father than his other siblings. He quickly shod his feet and set out on his mission after quieting his stomach with a bowl of milk.

Joe was a prophet. He didn’t know he was a prophet; he didn’t even know what a prophet was, but he often heard from the GOD of his father. Even his father didn’t understand that he heard from GOD and marveled at some of the things Joe knew and spoke. If any of you are prophets or have a prophetical gift, you may know that people don’t always enjoy prophets or their gifts unless they speak only the pleasant things. If one has a prophetical gift, that is possible, but if one is called as a Prophet, that one is a watchman for GOD, placed among his people, sometimes conveying good things, but most likely and more often for warnings, which to most are not enjoyable.

Joe had grown into a handsome and strong youth, obedient and wise, which made others envious of him. His gift of prophecy did not make that any better, but served as reason for hating him, although Joe, for the most part, remained oblivious to their feelings toward him or his words.

Joe enjoyed walking about on such a fine day, but as he continued on his trek, when he drew near his objective, he suddenly found himself surrounded by an angry group of those from his tribe who hated him. They pushed him around and ripped his rich tunic off him. They laughed and tormented him, deciding on how they might kill him. One of them suddenly suggested why kill him when they might profit from selling him to the slave traders. The idea quickly gained much favor as they considered the benefits.

The transaction proceeded quickly as he found himself soon in the hands of mercenaries. He was at that moment quite distant from any help and Joe lamented that no one knew what was happening to him. In despair, he cried out, “When my father finds out what you’ve done, he will come after you!” They only laughed at him as though his threat was ridiculous; they were confidant no one would ever know. Joe watched the familiar territory of his homeland growing farther and farther away as the traders marched him toward their goal. The slave traders had bound his hands but as he must walk, his feet, they left unfettered.

When night came, Joe laid on the bare ground under the stars, still hungry, though they had thrown him a scrap or two and given him a drink. The night felt cold and damp, but his tears felt warm and flowed uncontrollably. He thought, “How could such a thing happen? Why do men do such things?” He remembered his father again and wept deeply for him, knowing that his father might not yet realize he was missing as his errand would have taken him away until the next day. By the time anyone searched for him, he would be far out of reach.

Joe eventually fell into a tearful and exhausted sleep, but not long after he was rudely awakened by a sharp kick in his back. The dawn arose and the time for travel came. There was nothing for breakfast and he was only allowed to drink from a small puddle in a dried up stream. Dirt clung to the dried tears on his cheeks and he very much desired rest and refreshing, which had never been denied before. His heart broken, realizing his father had no idea what happened to him, he obediently followed the traders.

They fed him a little better on the second day for he was a precious commodity which they must maintain while he remained in their custody. He kept quiet and did not complain because he would not provoke the cane. They walked many days until they finally arrived at their first destination for they had a regular route on which they traded. Joe had never felt so tired and worn before, nor so hungry and wasted.

A familiar site loomed close, as Joe recognized his mother’s gravesite. Before the traders noticed, Joe had thrown himself before the pillar where she was buried, crying out to her that she might see his anguish. He wept and pounded the ground, “Mother, Mother, see what they do!” The traders had not yet noticed he left the entourage, so he continued, “Mother, did you give me birth to be a slave? My Father doesn’t know what has happened to me!” As he wailed and lamented, the traders finally noticed his absence and saw him a short distance behind, pounding the ground and crying out in agitated anguish.

In anger, they jerked him to his feet and whipped him with a cane, declaring he must not be right in his mind. They roughly shoved him back in line. Joe had never been treated in such a way and the violence of these men shocked him. He suddenly realized they only wanted monies and he blurted out, “Look, my Father is a Chief, the head of our tribe, he will pay a great price for me, if you return me to him.” The men laughed, “Don’t you think we know that those who sold you would have done that if that were true? Shut up and walk!”

Joe tried once more giving the explanation of who he was and the consequence of his father, but they gave him an evil and warning eye with an uplifted cane and he sunk down in hopeless silence as he walked. His belly complained loudly because the time had long passed for eating, but they gave him nothing. Whenever they checked the line, occasionally walking up and down with the switch, they laughed and mocked him. Joe felt most concerned that his father would never know what happened to him and that might break his heart. Again, tears streamed down his cheeks and he tried hiding them, so that the traders would not laugh.

After many weeks of traveling and several stops, they came to a large city, the likes of which Joe had never seen. It towered into the sky. They entered into massive gates, highly decorated with unfamiliar images. For a short time, the excitement of seeing such interesting sights distracted Joe from his misery. He always dwelt in the fields in a tent of skins and although there was a town nearby, it was nothing like this. They came upon a marketplace and Joe found himself for sale upon a platform.

A beautifully dressed man, came up to Joe and tried speaking to him, but Joe did not understand his language. The man tried one or two other languages, until Joe understood what he said. The man began asking questions, testing his level of education and knowledge of numbers because the traders had told him stories of this slave’s virtues, which they could not have known, but which did in fact exist. Joe explained that he knew how one counted and kept track of things in writing and the man seemed satisfied. He negotiated for a while with the traders, then pulled Joe by the arm, indicating that he should come with him.

He left with the man and they journeyed to another part of the city. The man brought him through a large pavilion into a much larger home, decorated so gorgeously, Joe could hardly comprehend it. He had never been in such luxury before. The man explained to Joe that his work was keeping track of goods bought and sold and of the other slaves who worked for him. He also encouraged him that he should try, as soon as possible, learning the language spoken in the man’s home and the city. Joe desired that also, for he desired knowing what went on around him.

The man seemed instinctively conscious that Joe must be hungry and ordered a meal through another servant for him. Joe sat and gratefully enjoyed filling his stomach again for he had not had a complete meal since he left home weeks ago. When he had his fill, as much as he desired, his owner gave him a set of new clothes and directed him to the place of washing. Joe was so grateful to the man for he did not treat him like an animal, but seemed respectful to his person. Not all slaves have that compassion or care and Joe realized that his situation differed from other slaves. He rejoiced that the man who purchased him was considerate and realized that he might have been sold to another sort of man like the traders who mistreated him.

Joe knew GOD, but not in the way that we know Him, but he knew GOD created him and everything in the world and took care of him, preserving his life. Joe gave grateful thanks when his work was finished at the end of the day that GOD brought him to a situation where he was treated as a human being and that the work given to him was something he might well do and not only hard labor. He set his heart to do the best he might do for his owner for in that he would return GOD’s goodness and his owner’s care.

Months went by and Joe began fluently speaking the language of his new people. His owner so appreciated his work that he added more to it as he realized Joe’s gifts and talents. Joe did not mind at all, for he easily accomplished all the work given. GOD had given Joe an excellent spirit and he diligently approached every task given him. He knew and praised GOD for showing him HOW the work should be done. He was keenly aware that the favor and blessing of GOD instructed him in all that he did. His owner also marveled at the things which the LORD showed Joe, improving many of the operations of his owner’s plantation.

Even so, Joe missed his home and especially his father and he could not understand WHY GOD allowed such a thing to happen to him for he felt that he always honored the GOD of his father. Joe also remembered that GOD had shown him that he would head his tribe and he wondered now if he would ever again see his people. His father often said to him, “Life is sometimes bitter, but we should never let bitterness into our heart, lest we offend GOD and He remove His blessings.” Joe resolved that he would not live in resentment or unforgiveness towards those of his tribe who betrayed him for he would not allow bitterness into his heart which might grow into hate, making him like them. He still felt its pain and determined that he would be free of that also. Meanwhile, he set his heart toward his work that it might be his offering to GOD.

Soon nearly the whole plantation fell under Joe’s hand and he ordered most of its operations. His master found much relief from many of his personal responsibilities because Joe oversaw much which previously his master did himself. Joe’s owner was not the only one who noticed his capabilities, his diligence and his handsome countenance, for Joe had now grown into a very well favored and strong young man. But as often happens, good times did not persist. Others tried drawing him into their corrupted ways and when he steadfastly stood his ground unto holiness to GOD and faithfulness to his master, they became enraged against him. One in particular, falsely accused him of something which he had not done.

His master was so angry at the report because he thought Joe had taken advantage of his goodness that his owner turned him over to the authorities and Joe was beaten and placed into the city’s dungeon for his supposed crime. His master had the right of killing Joe, but in a sort of mercy, he instead turned him over to city’s justice system. Joe again, considered WHY GOD allowed such a thing in his life, when he did all he might in diligence and faithfulness in all his work and all his duty to GOD. He found contentment with his master and would never have compromised or cheated his master in any way, but no one believed him because he was only a slave. Joe determined, once again, that bitterness would not take root in his heart.

Joe had never seen or heard of a dungeon before, nor could he imagine one human subjecting another to such a hopeless, dark, dank and filthy place. The head jailer came by because he wanted to see his new resident, who came from a government official’s home. He asked Joe what he had done, but laughed when Joe said he was innocent and falsely accused. His laughter quieted a bit when he observed the obvious grief upon the young man’s face. He suspected this one might be speaking truly. The jailer asked him about his duties in his former home and when he realized that he was most capable and gifted, the jailer decided that Joe might serve him well also.

Joe then became the head jailer’s personal assistant and he managed the prison even as he managed his former master’s home. The head jailer gave him much freedom in the jail for he observed his excellent and diligent spirit and that Joe faithfully carried out all his duties. Joe was also given one of the best places in the prison for his cell, second only to the head jailer.

Joe praised GOD for all these things because even though he still could not understand WHY GOD would allow these things and bring him to such a lowly state, he realized that GOD was helping and protecting him. The head jailer also marveled at the favor which he saw on Joe’s life for everything Joe tried doing went very well and Joe often had revelation of how things could be accomplished in better ways.

Year after year went by and Joe did not so much mind his life in prison for it gave him the opportunity of helping others in similar despair. He often did whatever he could for the comfort and help of other prisoners as his freedom allowed. In turning his life to others, his own misery was abated very much and he only grieved when he thought of his father’s grief at losing his son. Home seemed like a distant dream which passed with the night. At that point, Joe despaired of every seeing his father again and hoped that he was doing well for he must be very aged now.

Joe found himself prophesying to prisoners as he heard from GOD and his prophesies always came true. GOD also gave him the gift of explaining unusual dreams. One prisoner in particular received a prophecy from Joe that he would be released within a few days and be reinstated into his former position. Joe hopefully asked the prisoner, “Please remember me to the ruler when you get out and tell him of the injustice against me. I was falsely accused and have been here for many years.” The prisoner joyfully agreed, hoping and believing the prophecy true because he had heard about Joe from one of the guards.

Joe’s prophecy as usual became reality in a few days, but the official returned to his post entirely forgetting the young man who ministered to him so well and brought him comfort in his misery. Joe waited and waited for a word of freedom, but none came. A year passed and then another. Eventually his heart sunk, but he would not allow its fixing itself in that position and determined that bitterness should not enter. He redoubled his efforts in the prison and made his heart forget his distress.

One day, while the head jailer discussed the work of the day with Joe, a court official suddenly appeared, demanding, “Where is the one who prophesies and interprets dreams?” The head jailer nodded toward Joe and Joe compelled for a response, said, “Here, Sir.” The officer responded sternly, “Come!” Again, the head jailer nodded to Joe toward the officer, and without further word, Joe followed him in trepidation and concern.

Joe had not be out of the prison since the first day he came and with amazement realized he dwelt in some kind of palace complex, albeit not the pleasant part. The officer walking briskly took Joe to some palace servants and instructed them, “Clean him up!” If Joe was surprised at the officer’s first appearance, this surpassed anything he could have imagined, for the brusque manner of the officer left him considering if he committed some sort of breach of law in this place and was going to his judgment. Instead the servants helped Joe repair the neglect of years. Soon he was washed and shaved and one now clipped off his abundant curls into a large pile on the floor. He was given beautiful new clothes in which he was soon attired. Joe felt the weight of the many heavy years falling off suddenly and completely, but he could not imagine why they now treated him differently.

The servants pointed him to the exit door when his grooming was complete and when he passed through, two armed guards escorted him to what he realized must be the palace court. Joe’s confusion and amazement continued rising as he was briskly brought to the one sitting on some kind of throne. The ruler was gorgeously robed and decorated and donned a large elaborate headdress. The guards brought Joe to the foot of the steps below the throne. The ruler questioned him, “So you can prophesy and understand dreams?”

“Sir, I cannot by myself, but when my GOD speaks, I speak and when he shows me the meaning of a dream, I interpret,” Joe answered.

“Well, that is more than these may do!” the ruler answered grimly, looking around to those surrounding him. “Tell me what you think of this,” He began explaining his dream, “I was standing beside the river, when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the river and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land! And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows. When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I woke up, but when I fell back asleep, I dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, came up on one stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted, thin and scorched by the east wind. And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, ripe ones. Then I awoke and realized it was a dream. In the morning my spirit was troubled, so I summoned all these wise men. I told them my dreams, but no one could interpret them for me.”

At this, Joe said to the ruler, “The dreams are one and the same. GOD has revealed to you, O Ruler, what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine.”

“It is just as I said before: GOD has shown you what He is about to do. Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.”

“Moreover, because the dream was given to you in two versions, the matter has been decreed by GOD, and He will carry it out shortly.”

Joe continued, “Now, Sir, you should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land. Take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest during the seven years of abundance. Under your authority, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities. This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”

This proposal pleased the Ruler and all his officials. So their Ruler asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of GOD abides?”

Then the Ruler said to Joe, “Since GOD has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

The Ruler also told Joe, “I hereby place you over all the land.” Then he removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joe’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had Joe ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land. And he declared to Joe, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission, no one in all the land of Egypt shall lift his hand or foot.”

And that is the story of the eleventh son of Jacob, Joe or Joseph, an innocent and godly man, who spent many years as a slave because he was unjustly kidnapped by his half-brothers and sold. This story is found in the book of Genesis Chapters 37, 39-47- in the Holy Bible. The remarkable thing about this slave appears in his attitude throughout his service and incarceration.

Even later, when his brothers come before him because they must purchase grain, he has the opportunity of revenging himself and can legally do it without question, and yet, we see something different in this former slave. He forgets the evil and forgives his half-brothers, telling them, “You meant it for evil, but GOD allowed it for good.” He advises them that they must come to Egypt for the famine will continue for a while. He also intercedes for them with Pharaoh and gains the excellent land of Goshen for his family’s use. He provides for them daily from his own house all their needs. He is a perfect picture of our Savior in His attitude after His treatment by His own people, who rejected Him and the Romans who refused justice to Him.

Slavery has existed since the beginning of mankind. Victors in war always took the conquered survivors for slaves; we see it throughout history. That doesn’t make slavery right or just, but that has been the experience of man. Joe, however, shows us how the godly deal with injustice against themselves and how the godly overcome by conquering not their enemies, but themselves. Joe had every excuse for anger and hate to grow in his heart. He could have taught his children that same anger and hate against his half-brothers and he could have begun a feud within his tribe, which would develop eventually into a spiritual stronghold capable of growing more bitter with every generation.

Anger and hate represent sin before GOD, we are not to let the sun go down on our anger (EPH 4:26), meaning we must not keep it and we certainly must not perpetuate it from generation to generation. Of course, those who do not acknowledge GOD, do not understand His laws or what happens within us when we engage in sin will not comprehend why GOD directs us that we should forgive anything done to us.

No person in their right mind, however, would willingly pass sin and its effects in the body down to their children and grandchildren. But, those who do not mind murdering the unborn, will not consider these things. But GOD’s laws do not change, whether we believe Him or not, His laws will have their effect.

Let’s go for a moment to another Biblical story. Where we read about Jacob and Esau, “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals” (AMS 1:2-3). If you thought GOD always loves everyone, perhaps this will adjust your thinking. When Jacob was in his mother’s womb, she felt something was wrong and she inquired of the LORD. Rebecca was told that two nations warred within her and that the older, although strong, would serve the younger (GNS 25:21-27). When she gave birth, she gave birth to twins and the younger, Jacob, held onto the heel of his brother Esau as though he was chosen for the firstborn, but Esau, the stronger, broke through.

Esau grew up into a skillful hunter, but Jacob was a quiet, reflective man. One day when Esau came in from hunting, he saw Jacob cooking a lentil stew. He was so hungry, he agreed to sell his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentils for he despised spiritual things, saying, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” (GNS 25:32). Later, Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing of the firstborn since he already purchased the birthright of the first-born, unbeknown to his father.

Esau was so angry, he spoke about what he would do to Jacob. Rebecca, his mother, heard of Esau’s murderous intentions toward Jacob and she advised that Jacob flee to Haran where her family dwelt. Rebecca convinced his father Isaac that it would not do if Jacob married the pagan women of the land as his brother had for they were a constant source of chagrin for Rebecca. So according to tradition, Isaac sent Jacob away laden with treasures for a bride price.

But Esau heard of it and sent his young son with some of his men to murder him on his way; no doubt because his own absence might be suspicious. The traditional story continues that Jacob talked the young man out of his deed and purchased his life with the treasures he had with him. The Scriptures only mention that Jacob arrived in Haran with nothing and had to work for a bride. Isaac was rich, he would not have sent Jacob away empty, which seems as corroboration to the tradition.

We read later, that when Jacob hears from GOD that he should return home. On his way, Jacob receives word that Esau is meeting him with 400 armed men. Even though GOD rescues Jacob, by letting Esau see thousands of angelic warriors with Jacob and though Jacob tried making amends with many gifts, Esau’s anger had not subsided. Traditional stories tell of other conflicts with the brothers as Esau’s anger holds until his death and he passes it on to his generations, so that the prophet records GOD as speaking, “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever” (OBD 1:10) and also, “Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Edom (Esau’s descendants), and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother (Jacob and his descendants) with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever’” (AMS 1:11).

Esau kept his anger and generated the feud between his children and Jacob and his children, therefore GOD said, “Esau I hated.” Joe, however, kept his heart from hate, anger and unforgiveness. He forgave his half-brothers for desiring his murder and for their disposing of him as a slave, knowing what kind of life he would suffer as a slave.

Because of Joe’s excellent spirit, because he held no bitterness, because he diligently served his masters, and ministered to all he might comfort, GOD took this humble man from slavery and made him the head of all Egypt, next only to Pharaoh himself. In one moment, GOD reversed all the evil done to him over many years and blessed him with all things requisite to his new station. Joe, a slave, went literally from rags to riches and saved not only the lives of his entire tribe, but saved all in the known world at that time by the wisdom with which GOD rewarded him. GOD used Joseph for the preservation of a special group of people, whom He promised that He would forever bless, who were called Israelites and eventually, Jews.

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