Week eight in our journey with Joseph brings us to Joseph as Prime Minister of Egypt and the birth of his two sons shows us how Joseph views his past in light of his present and future.

In God’s time He fulfilled things in the life of Joseph that put him in position to change the world.

Joseph is forgotten in jail by the cupbearer, but not by God who is often working in the background to accomplish his purposes in us.

God was about the task of refining Joseph’s character so He could prepare him for a huge task. God does the same in us.

Daniel and David may have more famous acts of courage, but what Joseph did may be the greatest act of courage, outside the cross, in the Bible; and is the most relevant for our current culture.

As his brothers struggle with envy, they are led to sell Joseph into slavery. God continues to develop Joseph into a man He can use.

Jacob showed favoritism to Joseph, but God would use his family dysfunction to prepare Joseph for great things.

Often we use our family of origin as an excuse to not take responsibility for our growth. Joseph gives a great picture of overcoming.

Life is often full of difficulties; however, God can use those difficulties for His purposes.

The theme of Joel is the Day of the Lord. It is not referring to a a 24 hour period. It refers to a process of time by which God disrupts the world with His own agenda in terms of judgment. God’s redemptive intention is to restore us to fellowship with him. God wants to restore to “you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”