JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM (Advent Special) - Day 10 - Joseph, the Dreamer

GREATER GLORY OF GOD Presents Advent Special JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Tenth Day in the company of Joseph – the Dreamer Two things: 1. Know the person 2. See the Birth of Jesus through the eyes of Joseph Let’s know Joseph Son of Jacob and Rachel, his second wife – his love, second daughter of his uncle Joseph was born in the old age of Jacob as the 11thboy. He and Benjamin were born to Rachel. The favoured one of his father, Jacob. Joseph was very much loved by Jacob because he had been born to him in his old age. He was given a special gift by his father - a richly ornamented coat. This favouritism wasn't well-received by his brothers. Anthropologists today have found that this sibling rivalry is a common by-product of polygamous marriages. Children were often born by different wives, and each wife wanted the best for their child. The Bible tells us that Joseph and Benjamin are the sons of Jacob's second wife, while all the other sons are from different wives. Being given a special coat would have only fuelled the brothers' jealousy. Joseph was a dreamer and interpreter of the dreams. Joseph's brothers were also suspicious of the strange and vivid dreams he had and did not like the interpretations he told them. Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave  His brothers eventually took their revenge by selling Joseph as a slave to passing merchants. While Joseph was being taken to Egypt, his brothers faked his death by rubbing goat's blood into the multi-coloured coat. In Egypt, Joseph became a house servant to a rich, high-ranking Egyptian, Potiphar. In the household he was noticed by Potiphar's wife who tried to seduce him, but he resisted her and was put in prison. Whilst in prison Joseph used his power to interpret the dreams of prison officials, and when the Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams Joseph was called to interpret them. According to Joseph's interpretation, there were to be seven years of plenty in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph was able to advise the Pharaoh on how to prepare for the famine and as a result, gained the favour of the Pharaoh who promoted him to Prime Minister. During the famine, Joseph had to make key decisions. His acquisition of grain provisions enabled Egypt to withstand and survive the famine. Joseph advised the Pharaoh © Joseph and Jesus Jesus – second Joseph Brothers of both of them thought that they are getting rid of them, while in reality, God was using them to fulfil His plans. God wanted Joseph in Egypt and used his brothers to sell him off. The enemies, rather the brothers of Jesus put Him to death, thinking that they were destroying Him. God used both the events to save the brothers through Joseph and Jesus. Both said the same – their brothers did without knowing what they were doing. Lesson from Joseph for our journey to Bethlehem – ability to see God’s hands in all that happens in our life and the willingness to surrender entirely to do the will of God.