6 TESTS OF CHARACTER JOSEPH FACED TO GET TO HIS GOD GIVEN DESTINY!
(Adapted from Pastor Robert Morris sermon)
TEST 1: THE PRIDE TEST! How do we respond when the dream/calling from God comes? Are we tempted to feel prideful about it?
In Genesis 37:7-9 Joseph shared his dream with his brothers and they would all bow down to him!! It was probably not the best thing to share with his family as yet and this could have led to the possibility of pride in Joseph!! Joseph also may have been tempted to feel pride from being Jacob’s favourite son and receiving the multicoloured coat from Jacob! (Genesis 37:3) AM I TEMPTED TO FEEL PRIDE OVER THE DREAMS AND PLANS GOD HAS FOR ME?
TEST 2: THE PIT TEST! According to Genesis 37:22, the pit was located in the WILDERNESS! How do you deal with the PITS/obstacles that may cause you bitterness and might seem to get in the way of the dreams that God gives you? These “pits” can be from other people (as was the case with Joseph-his brothers put him in the pit), or it could be the result of natural circumstances or even the consequence of our own sin/flesh. DON’T GET DISHEARTENED BY THE PIT!
TEST 3: THE POTIPHAR/PURITY TEST! Overcoming sexual immorality and temptation in the face of prospering/success or pain! In Genesis 39:2-4, Joseph found favour with The Lord and Potiphar and was promoted to taking care of everything in Potiphar’s household!! Joseph was also in the midst of pain, remembering that despite all the promotions, he was still a slave in a foreign land! Yet, in vs 7-12, Joseph chose PURITY over PROSPECTS and chose to flee from sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22) with Potiphar’s wife rather than give in to a secret affair that could have increased his prospects in that role!! LEARN TO CHOOSE PURITY IN THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF PROSPERITY AND PAIN!!
TEST 4: THE PRISON TEST!
In Genesis 39:19-21 Joseph was put into prison for doing the right thing! UNJUST SUFFERING! Yet, in vs 21, God’s favour and presence was still with Him in the prison! Jesus promises to never leave us nor forsake us even in the prison!! (Hebrews 13:5, Daniel 3:24-25)
In Genesis 40:5-23 the prison became the place of PREPARATION FOR THE PALACE! It was in the prison where Joseph was given the opportunity to interpret dreams which would eventually get him to the palace!! PRISON: THE PLACE OF PREPARATION and PERSEVERANCE! Joseph had to spend a further 2 years in prison after interpreting the cup bearers dream before getting to the palace (Genesis 40:23-41:1)! He had to persevere in not being disheartened and not giving up on God’s promise! Remember, God’s presence is still with you in the prison seasons!
TEST 5: THE PALACE/POWER TEST! In Genesis 41:14 Joseph went from the prison to the palace in ONE DAY! Yet there was 13 YEARS OF PREPARATION (Genesis 37:2, Genesis 41:46) for this one day! God can bring you into your calling and bring the success overnight, but He May take you through years of preparation to make your character and faith ready for that day so that you will have Humility to be able to handle it! (Eg. Genesis 41:16 and Joseph’s humility to recognise he can’t interpret dreams but only God alone!)
TEST 6: THE PURPOSE TEST!
There was also a BIGGER PURPOSE TO THE PALACE!! In Genesis 45:5 and Genesis 50:20 Joseph recognised that the reason for His PIT, PRISON and PALACE was to SAVE LIVES!! As a result he was able to let go of any bitterness and unforgiveness towards his brothers and the people who had done him wrong along the way!
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS! (Esther 4:14)
Deuteronomy 8:18, God blesses so that He can establish His covenant!! Blessed to be a blessing to others!! (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
It can be so tempting to be distracted in the midst of the pit, prison and even once the palace comes, to forget the very purpose God called you to through all of it!! DON’T FORGET GOD HAS A BIGGER PURPOSE BEHIND EVERYTHING YOU GO THROUGH!
May we be able to pass these tests by the Holy Spirit in us, to see God fulfil His promises in our lives!
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