“By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”

Hebrews 11:22

Joseph is a great Christian role model. He shows us the standards of behavior in nine regards.

One: Treating family.

Joseph reveals his dreams to his brothers. He tells them they will bow to him one day. He knows this will rub his brothers the wrong way, that it will inspire hatred and jealousy, but he does it anyway because He believes it’s God’s revelation. He knows the ramifications of what he is doing, but he does it because it’s God’s command. And his father sends him to his brothers who are tending sheep near Shechem. He senses his brothers’ hatred and the danger he might be walking into, but he goes because it’s his father’s command. Joseph never disrespected or disregarded his father’s wishes. We must always be respectful to family members.

When his brothers come to him many years later, it would’ve been very easy to seek revenge on his brothers. It would’ve been very easy to dredge up the past and make his brothers pay for their wrongdoings. But Joseph didn’t have an ounce of hatred in his hearts. Regardless of how bad our family members treat us, we must never hate them. If anyone was entitled to payback, it was Joseph, but he didn’t. We must never seek revenge against family members. We must never have hate in our hearts.

Second. Joseph never despaired.

Even after his brothers sell him to slavery and Potiphar’s wife unfairly accuses him and sends to jail, he never gets down or loses hope. Whatever hardships we encounter, like Joseph, our faiths should never waver. We should never lose hope and fall into despair.

Third. Joseph acted responsibly.

In every situation God placed Joseph, he acted responsibly and fulfilled his duties. As Jacob’s son, he acted responsibly, running all his father’s errands without exception. As the head of Potiphar’s household, he worked hard and fulfilled his duties. And he avoided the most significant dereliction of duty by thwarting Potiphar’s wife’s advances. When in jail, he was so responsible and trustworthy, they placed him in charge of all the prisoners. In whatever situation God put him, Joseph worked hard and fulfilled his duties to the best of his abilities. We must be like Joseph and be faithful, diligent, and hardworking in every and any situation we encounter.

Fourth. Joseph never overstepped his boundaries.

As the governor of Egypt, it would be easy to stage a coup and overthrow the Pharaoh. That’s how popular Joseph was with the people of Egypt. He never overstepped his bounds as a brother, son, or employee. He never betrayed or back-stabbed. Regardless of how high or low God placed him, he maintained that position and worked hard. We must work hard and be faithful in the position God places us. We must never envy others or scheme to take someone’s job. Joseph never did this. In whatever situation God put him, he was satisfied and worked to make that position the best it could be.

Fifth. How to interact with the opposite sex.

Joseph was 27 or 28 at the time he worked at Potiphar’s home. A famous Korean minister once said, “When I get to heaven, Joseph is the first person I want to meet.” Why? Most men would have succumbed to that temptation. When faced with such great temptation, how many of us would betray God? Joseph knew God was watching, and he stayed clean. It cost him his freedom, but he didn’t succumb to temptation. We must have this kind of resolve when interacting with the opposite sex.

Sixth. Bestow virtue in all situations. 

When he was in jail, he gained the respect of all the prisoners. He bestowed virtue to every person he met. He inspired and moved people. In every situation we find ourselves in, we must bestow virtue. We must act as role models. We must carry ourselves in a manner that demands respect and admiration. Wherever life places us, like Joseph, we must be faithful and bestow goodness to every single person we meet.

Seventh. Joseph never wavered in the face of hardships.

Joseph’s life was filled with many highs and lows. He suffered enormous hardships and setbacks. He persevered, remained humble, and stayed the course. Even after becoming the governor of Egypt, he didn’t forget where he came from; he didn’t forget his time in slavery or in jail; he never became arrogant. Whatever obstacles we face, like Joseph, our faith, our actions, our relationship to God and the world, must never waver.

Eighth. Work at the job God has placed you in, and be proud of it.

Egyptians looked down on shepherds. In fact, farmers were not allowed to eat at the same table. When Pharaoh asks Joseph, “What is their occupation?” It would have been easy for Joseph to be embarrassed about being farmers and ask for his family members to be placed in more “respectable” work. Instead, Joseph says unequivocally, “Your servants are shepherds… just as our fathers were.” Your job is a place where you can turn glory to God, work without sinning, work without exploiting others, and be respected. We must be careful about finding jobs that make us sin and forsake God.

Ninth. Joseph stayed true to God in every circumstance.

Whether suffering hardships or receiving accolades, Joseph was the same person. Outside forces did not change him. Whether sold into slavery or thrown in jail or the most influential person in Egypt, Joseph never changed. He never became worldly or secularized. High or low, hot or cold, rich or poor, we must stay the same person and maintain our character. We must be steadfast, filled with resolve, and turn all our hopes to God and nothing else.

Joseph shows us how to act in the world. He is a perfect role model when it comes to our relationships to family, the workplace, and the world in general.

Click for Korean sermon.