(Genesis 37:25) As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead.

Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood."

(Genesis 29:1) Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officers, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered.

Vs. 9 - How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

Vs. 20-21 - Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him;

…and God showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Genesis 41:14 - So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

Vs. 15 - Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream and no-one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

Vs. 37-38 - The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and all of his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph “Since God has made all of this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

Genesis 42:1 - When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."

Genesis 42:6 - Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people.

Vs. 6 - So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger.

What do you do when you’ve got the power, and your words determine the destiny of your enemy?

Genesis 45:1 - Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence.” So there was no-one in the room with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph."

Joe says “Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Vs 19 - But Joseph said to them “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?"


#1 - Know that God is with you when you are going through the bad


#2 - When things are going really good for you…Don’t play God!


Vs 20 - You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.