The Character of Joseph
My children and I just finished our study of Joseph. There is so much to be gleaned from his life! I so appreciated the focus in this study on Joseph's character. While his brothers simply saw him as a "dreamer"; Joseph was really "God's superhero"!
To be a superhero for God, a person must have strong, godly character. Joseph showed eight character traits that gave him "the right stuff to be a superhero for God".
#1: FAITH
"Faith is believing God; it is taking Him at His Word. It is when you believe what God says in the Bible, and it shows by the way you act. You decide to do what God wants you to do." (p. 37) Joseph showed that he trusted and believed God by his actions.
#2: INTEGRITY
"Integrity is being trustworthy and sincere. . . It is being honest, pure, and consistent. Integrity is living by God's standards. . . doing the right thing when no else is looking." (p. 38) Joseph was put in charge of Potipher's house, the jail and then over all of Egypt. He very easily could have taken advantage of his position; but instead he chose to follow God's principles in his life.
#3: COURAGE
"Courage is bravery and fearlessness. It is boldness, taking a stand, and doing what you know is right, even though you are afraid. It is also being able to admit when you are wrong." (p. 38) Joseph was taken from his home, sold as a salve and throw in jail; yet he showed courage and did the right thing no matter how great the temptation.
#4: SELF-DISCIPLINE
"Self-discipline is learning to train and control your behavior. It is being able to turn away from temptation. It is choosing to do what is right, even when it is hard and difficult. Self-discipline is when you are able to stick to something and sacrifice." (p. 39) Joseph chose to do the right thing, worked hard for his masters and fled temptation.
#5: COMPASSION
"Compassion is caring for those in need." (p. 45) Joseph showed concern for the baker and the cup bearer in prison as well as to his own brothers.
#6: ENDURANCE
"Endurance is being able to withstand hardship or stress. It means perseverance, to not give up." (p. 50) Joseph faced many difficulties, but he didn't give up.
#7: HUMILITY
"Humility is a lack of pride. It is submission. Humility is knowing our weaknesses as well as our strengths. It is recognizing God as the Giver of all gifts." (p. 51) Joseph didn't promote himself. He gave credit to God for having the answer to Pharoah's dreams. He also didn't nominate himself to be in charge of the land of Egypt. Joseph submitted himself to God's will.
#8: FORGIVENESS
"Forgiveness means 'to send away.' It is not holding a grudge against the person who committed a wrongdoing. It is to set the person free without any resentment. It is to excuse the offender. Forgiveness is not getting even." (p. 79) Joseph could have taken revenge on his brother for what they did to him; but instead he chose to forgive them.
Joseph's mission was to save his family and the people of Egypt. What his brother's meant for evil, God meant for good. Joseph saw God at work in the midst of his circumstances and chose to trust Him. He truly was "God's Superhero". May we too, work on developing these eight traits of character.
-Taken from "Joseph-God's Superhero" by Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt
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To be a superhero for God, a person must have strong, godly character. Joseph showed eight character traits that gave him "the right stuff to be a superhero for God".
#1: FAITH
"Faith is believing God; it is taking Him at His Word. It is when you believe what God says in the Bible, and it shows by the way you act. You decide to do what God wants you to do." (p. 37) Joseph showed that he trusted and believed God by his actions.
#2: INTEGRITY
"Integrity is being trustworthy and sincere. . . It is being honest, pure, and consistent. Integrity is living by God's standards. . . doing the right thing when no else is looking." (p. 38) Joseph was put in charge of Potipher's house, the jail and then over all of Egypt. He very easily could have taken advantage of his position; but instead he chose to follow God's principles in his life.
#3: COURAGE
"Courage is bravery and fearlessness. It is boldness, taking a stand, and doing what you know is right, even though you are afraid. It is also being able to admit when you are wrong." (p. 38) Joseph was taken from his home, sold as a salve and throw in jail; yet he showed courage and did the right thing no matter how great the temptation.
#4: SELF-DISCIPLINE
"Self-discipline is learning to train and control your behavior. It is being able to turn away from temptation. It is choosing to do what is right, even when it is hard and difficult. Self-discipline is when you are able to stick to something and sacrifice." (p. 39) Joseph chose to do the right thing, worked hard for his masters and fled temptation.
#5: COMPASSION
"Compassion is caring for those in need." (p. 45) Joseph showed concern for the baker and the cup bearer in prison as well as to his own brothers.
#6: ENDURANCE
"Endurance is being able to withstand hardship or stress. It means perseverance, to not give up." (p. 50) Joseph faced many difficulties, but he didn't give up.
#7: HUMILITY
"Humility is a lack of pride. It is submission. Humility is knowing our weaknesses as well as our strengths. It is recognizing God as the Giver of all gifts." (p. 51) Joseph didn't promote himself. He gave credit to God for having the answer to Pharoah's dreams. He also didn't nominate himself to be in charge of the land of Egypt. Joseph submitted himself to God's will.
#8: FORGIVENESS
"Forgiveness means 'to send away.' It is not holding a grudge against the person who committed a wrongdoing. It is to set the person free without any resentment. It is to excuse the offender. Forgiveness is not getting even." (p. 79) Joseph could have taken revenge on his brother for what they did to him; but instead he chose to forgive them.
Joseph's mission was to save his family and the people of Egypt. What his brother's meant for evil, God meant for good. Joseph saw God at work in the midst of his circumstances and chose to trust Him. He truly was "God's Superhero". May we too, work on developing these eight traits of character.
-Taken from "Joseph-God's Superhero" by Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt
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