GOATs of the Old TestamentIsampula

Is Joseph the GOAT in the Bible?

Imagine having 11 brothers – the competition, the fights, the fun, the noise and the odors! What if you were the 2nd youngest but you were convinced, because God told you in a dream, that your older brothers would kneel before you? Imagine the testosterone poisoning leading to drama times ten!

Joseph’s Career Stats and Highlights:

• Uber leader and achiever
• Overcame injustice and promoted to leadership – twice!
• Stayed clean during intense temptation
• Achieved national notoriety and success
• Coached Egypt through famine, and everyone flourished
• Joseph was his father’s favorite son, and Joseph made sure that his 11 bros knew it!

Decades before Joseph was born, God told his great grandfather, Abraham, that his descendants would be taken captive and mistreated. Joseph’s brothers sold him to human traffickers, and he ends up in Egypt – and this begins the unfolding of how the prophecy to Abraham comes true. One of reasons that Joseph’s brothers did not like him was that he arrogantly told them that one day they would bow down to him (Joseph had seen this in a dream).

Joseph thrives politically, morally, and in wisdom, despite being the victim of human-trafficking. He achieves amazing things and is promoted to a position of political power.

Joseph is falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown in jail. Despite this injustice he continues to shine brightly. He gets out of prison and is appointed a national leader. Famine comes to Egypt, but God gives Joseph great wisdom; his policies help Egypt flourish.

In a plot Hollywood be proud of, Joseph’s bros and aging father travel to Egypt to get food where his brothers do bow before him. Joseph forgives them and sets them up with food and a great place to live. Joseph’s bros thought that he was going to punish them. Instead, Joseph makes one of the most incredible statements in the Bible…

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Joseph leaned into God’s plan for his life, even though he was mistreated and suffered along the way. God used Joseph to reconcile his family, save Egyptians from starvation and move the Jewish people to Egypt, fulfilling God’s prophecy to Abraham. Joseph relocated this small clan of Jews to a place where they would be separate from the Egyptian people so they could grow to 2,000,000+ people. All rather GOAT-worthy!

Genesis 50:20 is the real-life experience of a more famous verse…

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

God’s plans for us, even though they may include mistreatment and suffering, are the best option for our lives. These plans will work out for good when we cooperate with and trust God.

God’s plans for my life are worth waiting for – trust God every day!

Developing Joseph’s GOAT qualities in You:

1. List ways that you have been treated unfairly in your sport or in life. Also list blessings you have received (try to list more blessings than ways you were unfairly treated).
2. You may not be able to see how God can work out your situation for good, like He did for Joseph and as promised in Romans 8:28. What can you do to grow your ability to trust in God as He works His plan out in your life? (A good start might be memorizing and meditating on Romans 8:28.)
3. I’m sure Joseph cried out to God in prayer while in the slave caravan and while in prison. Write out a short and specific prayer asking God to work out your situation for His glory and for your eternal good.