Turning Hurt into Healing

I. JOSEPH’S HURTS

A. The Damage of Death (Genesis 35:16-20)

1. Likely while in his early teens (Genesis 30:22-24), Joseph’s mother (Rachel) died (Genesis 35:16-20) giving birth to Joseph’s brother (Benjamin).
2. This death could have caused any number of irreparable emotional heartaches for Joseph. Keep in mind that grief, pain, and bereavement do not require logic.
a. Bitterness toward his mother (Genesis 30:24)
b. Bitterness toward his father
c. Bitterness toward Benjamin
d. Bitterness toward the Lord

B. The Disappointment of Detest and Disbelief (Genesis 37:1-35)

1. At 17 years of age, Joseph, likely at the request of his father, reported the misbehavior of his brethren (Genesis 37:1-2).
2. Joseph was the son of his father’s special love causing his brethren to despise him (Genesis 37:3-4).
3. Joseph dreamed two dreams concerning his own promotion causing the hatred of his brethren to increase (Genesis 37:5-11).
a. The dream of the sheaves (Genesis 37:5-8)
b. The dream of the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 37:9-11)
4. Joseph was abused and sold while fulfilling a request of his father (Genesis 37:12-30).
5. Joseph’s father (Jacob) was to be deceived into believing his son was departed (Genesis 37:31-36). Note: The brothers allowed their father to come to his own false conclusions (Genesis 37:31-35).

C. The Danger of Derision (Genesis 39:1-20)

1. Though in slavery, Joseph landed in the home of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and prospered in the Egyptian’s house (Genesis 39:1-3).
2. Joseph was very much trusted and was faithful to that trust (Genesis 39:4-6).
3. Joseph was wrongfully pursued and falsely accused by the wife of Potiphar (Genesis 39:7-18).
4. Joseph was imprisoned though innocent (Genesis 39:19-20).

D. The Doubt of Devotion (Genesis 39:21-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1)

1. Though in prison, Joseph found favour and prospered (Genesis 39:21-23).
2. Though previously burnt in dealing with dreams, Joseph makes himself available to interpret the dreams of two fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1-22).
3. Though promised to be remembered, Joseph sits in a prison cell for two more years (Genesis 40:23; Genesis 41:1).

II. JOSEPH’S ENDURANCE

A. He Kept Serving Others

1. At 17, Joseph served his father causing hatred among his brethren (Genesis 37:2).
2. Sometime in his late teens or early twenties, Joseph served his father this time landing in pit and leading to slavery (Genesis 37:13-14, 23-28).
3. Though faithful service had twice burnt Joseph, he faithfully served Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (Genesis 39:1-6).
4. Though faithful service to Potiphar proved unfruitful, Joseph faithfully served the keeper of the prison where he was held (Genesis 39:21-23).

B. He Kept Assisting with Dreams

1. Interpretation of Joseph’s dreams landed him in a pit (Genesis 37:5-11, 17b-20), yet, he helped a butler and baker (Genesis 40:1-22).
2. Interpretation of a butler’s dreams left him in a prison (Genesis 40:23), yet, he helped the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:9-16).

C. He Kept Giving of Himself

1. Joseph gave himself to his father’s possessions.
2. Then he gave of himself to Potiphar’s possessions.
3. Then he gave of himself to the keeper of the prison’s possessions.
4. Then he gave of himself to Pharaoh’s possessions.
5. Then he gave of himself to his family’s possessions.

III. JOSEPH’S STRENGTH

A. His Continued Devotion to God (Genesis 39:2, 9, 21, 23; Genesis 40:8; Genesis 41:16)

B. His Forgiveness of Others (Genesis 42:21-28; Genesis 43:26-31; Genesis 45:1-5)

C. His Acceptance of God’s Will (Genesis 41:50-52; Genesis 45:7-8, Genesis 50:15-21)