Vs. 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 39:1-19 Vss 1-2 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:7-8 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Obedient Servant


Joseph is sold into slavery, and he characteristically  makes the best of it by being obedient and faithful to Potiphar. Yet there is another that Joseph must be even more faithful and obedient to, his heavenly Master, Jehovah God. When Potiphar’s wife tries to cause him to sin, he say now and tells her, Genesis 39:9 “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Not just Potiphar but against God.

That is what a real hero does they obey the Lord. We need many more heroes like that in the pulpits, the pews, the workplace, the schools and our community. Heroes who understand they answer to a higher authority than this world’s laws. They are answerable and accountable to their Master in heaven.

Maxim 2: Heroes know they answer to a higher authority.


Type of Christ: Obedient Servant

Joseph was a faithful servant and here is our picture of Jesus, for the Bible tells us in Mark 10:43-45 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Jesus was the suffering servant during his life upon the earth. This characteristic of Joseph, that foreshadows the life of the Messiah, was the main reason many believed there would be a descendant of Joseph as one of two Messiah.

Jesus faithfully obeying the will of His Father, suffering under the terrible price to ransom us from sin. Matthew 26:38-39 38 …My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.