“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17, NIV)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime; and, departing, leave behind us footprints in the sands of time.” One such great man was Joseph, who rose from being a slave to becoming Egypt’s prime minister. His story, told in Genesis 37-50, is a powerful testament to faith, integrity, and diligence.
A Man of Noble Character
Joseph was obedient, faithful, and diligent. When his father sent him to check on his brothers, he did not give up when he did not find them in Shechem. Instead, he searched further until he found them in Dothan, many kilometres away. His commitment to duty was evident even in the lowest points of his life. As a slave and later as a prisoner, Joseph worked hard at every task given to him. His supervisors recognized his excellence, for “the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” (Genesis 39:3)
Overcoming Betrayal with Diligence
Joseph did not allow bitterness to consume him despite being betrayed by his brothers and wrongfully imprisoned. Instead, he remained diligent in his work, both in Potiphar’s house and in prison. His attitude reflected Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Hard work, as he demonstrated, brings inner peace and joy. As Booker T. Washington put it, “Any man’s life will be filled with constant and unexpected encouragement if he makes up his mind to do his level best each day.”
A Man of Integrity
Joseph worked with a clear conscience. When faced with persistent temptation from Potiphar’s wife, he resisted and ultimately fled rather than compromise his integrity. He remained faithful to his master despite the risk, choosing a clean conscience over fleeting pleasures. His unwavering morality reminds us that true justice comes from God. “A free conscience supersedes fleeting happiness and material gains.”
Kindness and Humility
Joseph’s kindness was evident when he noticed the distress of his fellow prisoners—the cupbearer and the baker—and offered to interpret their dreams. His small act of kindness eventually led to his rise to power when Pharaoh needed a dream interpreter. As Aesop wisely said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Despite his wisdom and ability, Joseph remained humble. When asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he did not take credit but pointed to God: “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16).
Do you give God the glory for all He has enabled you to do?
A Heart of Forgiveness
Despite the pain his brothers caused him, Joseph chose forgiveness and worked toward reconciliation. He saw God’s hand in his suffering, telling his brothers, “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Genesis 45:5) William Arthur Ward said, “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.” Joseph’s faith in God gave him the strength to forgive and find joy even in hardship.
Your Purpose in God’s Plan
Joseph’s story reminds us that there is a reason for where we are in life. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
As Thomas Paine wrote, “I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. It’s the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” May we, like Joseph, work with diligence, integrity, and faith, leaving behind footprints of excellence for future generations.
