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Explore the profound lessons on character building from the life of Joseph in Genesis. Joseph’s journey illustrates the importance of inward character over outward success, highlighting how true integrity is forged in times of adversity, success, and unjust mistreatment. By observing Joseph’s faithfulness and obedience to God, we learn how to respond to hate, navigate success without arrogance, and trust in God during trials. This guide offers practical insights into embodying godly values and enduring challenges with grace and resilience.
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And God Was With Him Developing the Character of Joseph Genesis 39:2 * Acts 7:9
Character Building Is Important • Character (lit. to engrave) refers to a person’s inward nature or quality of spirit • Inward character building is more important than outward achievements (friends, beauty, education, money, material possessions, etc.) • Developing good character can be learned from the life of Joseph (Gen. 37 – 50)
Joseph: The Son • Good character is developed when a person is hated without a cause and still acts decently and properly (37:4,11,18) • There was no retaliation, only faithful obedience (Jn. 15:25; 1 Pet. 2:21-22) • How will you act in the face of mistreatment (Jn. 15:18)?
Joseph: The Overseer • Good character is developed when a person is successful and still lives with integrity and with godly values (39:1-23; 40:8; 41:16,25,28,32) • There was no elevated ego, only faithful living in God’s sight (Mt. 3:13 – 4:11) • How will you act in the face of success (1 Tim. 6:9,10,17)?
Joseph: The Prince • Good character is developed when a person experiences bad things in life and still submits to God’s will (37:28; 39:14-18; 40:23; see 41:50-52; 45:4-9; 50:15-26) • There was no bitterness, only faithful trust in God’s plan (Mt. 26:39) • How will you act in the face of bad things (1 Pet. 4:19)?
Developing the Character of Joseph • Character = acting properly even when you are hated without a cause • Character = acting properly even when you are successful • Character = acting properly even when bad things happen to you and you may not understand it all
Developing the Character of Joseph • Proper character is forged in the crucible of life’s circumstances, bad or good • Centered in faith and trust in God • Devoted to serving with honor & dependability • Undeterred by hatred and betrayal; forgiving • Seeing “the big picture” of God’s providence