God had revealed to Joseph in a dream that somehow, someday he would be used by God. His brothers already disliked him but his dream only made things worse. Joseph didn't lie, he simply told the truth about the dream he had and his brothers hated him all the more - people will hate you for speaking the truth of God's word.

Everthing in life could change in a second, and that is what happened when Jacob asked Joseph to check on his brothers one day. They saw him coming and hatch a plan to get rid of him once and for all. Reuben persuades them not to kill Joseph so they throw him in a pit whilst they decide his fate. No pit appears to be the pathway of blessing when you're in it. Joseph is sold into slavery to the passing Ishmeelites. God needed Joseph in Egypt, this was His way of providing him with transport there.

Joseph does well in Egypt, he is sold to Potiphar and is soon in charge of Potiphar's entire household. Unfortunately Joseph catches the eye of Potiphar's wife, but unwilling to mar his testimony and sin against God, Joseph refuses her advances, so she accuses him of making the advances. Potiphar has Joseph thrown in prison. This is a dungeon, a hole in the ground, Joseph, for the second time in his life finds himself in a pit - just because you got out of the pit once, it doesn't mean that you won't go back in.

Joseph has lost his coat, his reputation, his job, his comfort, but he did not lose his God. He didn't understand what was happening to him, it didn't make sense - Trust in God's promises, not your senses. In Potiphar's house Joseph learned how to manage plenty, in the prison he learned how to manage little, God is simply preparing him for what is to come.

Joseph is in prison because that is where God wants him to be. It is here that he will meet the Butler and Baker, people do not come into our lives by accident. These men have dreams that Joseph is able to interpret. The interpretation of the Butlers dream is favourable and Joseph asks him to put in a good word with Pharoah. Joseph is trying to force a door open, but God will open it at the exact time needed.

Eventually Joseph is called before Pharoah to interpret his dream. 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine are headed Egypts way. Joseph is the man that God will use to see that what is grown during the years of plenty will be stored up in preparation for the famine to come. When the famine does come it not only affects Egypt, but Joseph's family back in Canaan.

Jacob sends the brothers to buy corn and when they stand before Joseph they do not recognise him. Joseph sends the brothers home on one condition, they return with Benjamin. He puts Simeon in prison to ensure the brothers return. Jacob however is not willing to risk losing Benjamin as well. He held onto Benjamin - if he let him go the family would be fed, would be blessed and would be made whole - we all have a Benjamin that we are not willing to let go of, but when we do, God is waiting to bless us.