Introduction

The concept of afflicted saints is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating how God's chosen individuals often endure trials and tribulations as part of their spiritual journey. Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, stands as a quintessential example of an afflicted saint. His life, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, is marked by a series of profound hardships that ultimately lead to divine purpose and fulfillment.

Early Life and Family Strife

Joseph's account begins in Genesis 37, where he is introduced as the favored son of Jacob, which incites jealousy and animosity among his brothers. This familial discord is exacerbated by Joseph's dreams, which suggest that he will one day rule over his family. Genesis 37:5-8 recounts one such dream: "Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Please listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.' His brothers said to him, 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' So they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said."

Betrayal and Slavery

The jealousy of Joseph's brothers culminates in a heinous act of betrayal. They conspire to kill him but ultimately decide to sell him into slavery. Genesis 37:28 states, "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." This act of treachery marks the beginning of Joseph's affliction, as he is torn from his family and thrust into a life of servitude in a foreign land.

Temptation and Imprisonment

In Egypt, Joseph serves in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his status as a slave, Joseph finds favor with Potiphar due to his diligence and integrity. However, his trials continue when Potiphar's wife falsely accuses him of attempted assault after he resists her advances. Genesis 39:20 records the consequence: "So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in the prison." This unjust imprisonment further exemplifies Joseph's affliction, as he suffers for maintaining his righteousness.

Divine Favor and Rise to Power

Even in prison, Joseph's faithfulness does not go unnoticed by God. He gains the trust of the prison warden and eventually interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, which leads to his introduction to Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14 describes this pivotal moment: "Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh." Joseph's accurate interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, results in his elevation to a position of great authority in Egypt.

Reconciliation and Fulfillment

Joseph's journey from affliction to prominence reaches its climax when he is reunited with his brothers during the famine. In a profound act of forgiveness, Joseph reveals his identity and attributes his suffering to God's providential plan. Genesis 50:20 encapsulates this realization: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Through his trials, Joseph becomes a vessel for God's redemptive work, preserving the lineage of Israel and exemplifying the triumph of faith over adversity.

Conclusion

Joseph's life is a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of afflicted saints. His account serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate purpose behind the trials faced by His chosen ones.Genesis 39:20-23
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 105:17-19
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, evil-entreated ... on the faith
of the other saints of the ... as much of an accumulation of examples as of ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... Continuation of the fourth proof from the examples of Isaac and Jacob ... to heaven,
they saw that the period during which the Lord afflicted his saints was but ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... The saints on the other hand, take such to ... But Lazarus, after being afflicted in
worldly things ... that we, conducting ourselves after these examples, might truly ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... us take in hand some one of the saints, and let ... he, "to thyself." When the Israelites
were afflicted, they became ... And why speak of examples from the ancients? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

Hebrews xi. 20-22
... be wronged, to suffer all other things, he must be afflicted. ... But others are [examples]
of Faith, as in the case ... he shows that the Faith of those [saints of old ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi hebrews xi 20-22.htm

The Evidence of Scripture on Changes of Determination.
... up almost all the patriarchs and numberless saints, some of ... reason but to teach us
by their examples that we ... was lying on his bed and afflicted with grievous ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxv the evidence of.htm

And Bring us not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil
... and base than was seemly in Saints, have fallen ... me to answer, when there are countless
examples of such ... And in Deuteronomy: He afflicted you and starved you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xix and bring us.htm

The Objects of Merit
... L, 19: "A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite ... is confirmed by the
dogma of the Communion of Saints, by many illustrious examples from the ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the objects of.htm

City of God
... to Evil Induces Him Rather to Follow the Examples of the ... Chapter 22.--That the Bodies
of the Saints Shall After ... Chapter 42.--Of the Sons of Joseph, Whom Jacob ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Walking with God
... holy men of old, to record the examples of many ... And such honor have all God's saints. ...
that the people of this way are frequently afflicted, tempted, destitute ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

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