Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker have angered him and been thrown into the same prison as Joseph. While there God has sent them troubling dreams that have greatly upset these men. When Joseph finds out that these men are sad because they do not know the interpretation of their dreams, he takes this opportunity to point them to God as

We would probably have never heard this story of the cupbearer and the baker if it wasn’t for the fact that it is part of God’s plan for Joseph to bring these men across his path. Both of these men have offended Pharaoh in some way (some think that they were both suspects in an attempt on Pharaoh’s life). Whatever

Joseph has done the right thing and fled from temptation. But as so often seems to be the case, he only gets more trouble for doing what is right. But in the end things will turn out the best possible way for Joseph. . . even if he may not see it at the time. Her infatuation turning to anger Potiphar’s

These verses tell us about the sinful behaviour of Potiphar’s wife. Her sin begins in the eye. Looking around she lusts after Joseph. We must guard against the sins of our eyes and thoughts before they work their way into our actions. But Potiphar’s wife does not stop with committing adultery in her heart, she works to get Joseph to

Moses, the author of Genesis, now brings us back to the story of Joseph. He has been sold by his jealous brothers to the Ishmaelite slave traders who are on their way to Egypt. Being sold as a slave can often result in death, but God is watching over and protecting Joseph. When Joseph is brought to Egypt he is bought

When Judah finds out that his daughter-in-law is pregnant, he is ready to have her killed as an adulteress. He chooses to ignore the fact that he himself has committed this same sin. We can be very quick to point the finger and punish others for the same sins we carefully hide in our own life. Perhaps also, Judah, who

Judah’s wife dies, and he has not kept his word to Tamar and given her his third son. When she sees this she decides to take matters into her own hands. If she can’t have a child by the son, she will have it by the father. She pretends to be a prostitute in order to trap her father-in-law. But

Perhaps to show up more clearly the godliness of Joseph, we are given this chapter about his brother Judah’s wicked decisions. Judah foolishly becomes friends with one of the Canaanite men, leaving behind his father’s family who believe in God and surrounding himself with unbelievers. Perhaps if Jacob had not been so consumed by his thoughts of Joseph’s death, he

Joseph will soon be missed, so his brothers are going to have to come up with a lie to cover up what they have done. Even Reuben, who wanted to deliver Joseph, goes along with this lie. We have all learned from Adam to try to cover up our sin, instead of confessing it to God. Once we commit one

Joseph’s brothers strip him of his coat and throw him in a pit where they leave him seemingly to starve to death. They are so full of envy and hatred, that they show no remorse, but just sit down and eat after doing this terrible thing. They are pleased to think that they have turned the tables on their brother.