This is another in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon. 

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The story of Joseph (Gen. 37-50) is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It’s a tale of tragedy and triumph, punishment and pardon, incarceration and exaltation, abandonment and reunion, fear and power, famine and plenty, deep sadness and unrestrained joy. We are introduced to Joseph as the favorite son of Jacob, a preference that spurs jealousy and betrayal in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers, who opportunistically sell Joseph into slavery and then soak his robe in animal blood in a ruse to fake their brother’s death.

Joseph ends up in Egypt in the home of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guards. Potiphar sees that the Lord is making Joseph successful. So, the Egyptian officer makes Joseph his personal attendant and places everything in his household under the young servant’s authority. 

Joseph captures the eye of Potiphar’s wife, who makes repeated sexual advances towards the strapping young man. When Joseph rebuffs her siren calls, she falsely accuses him of attempted rape, which lands him in jail with Pharaoh’s prisoners. Again, the Lord grants Joseph favor, this time with the warden, who puts Joseph in charge of all other captives. This includes Pharoah’s imprisoned cupbearer, who later secures Joseph’s release by telling Pharaoh of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. 

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