Some years ago Brother David Edwards was speaking at a conference on the life of Joseph.
He said, “Joseph’s life can be summarized in three words. Pitted, Potted and Putted.” These three words form the outline for this chapter.
As a young man, I would often find myself in tears after reading the story of Joseph (see Genesis 37 through 49).
For many years, I didn’t quite grasp why it affected me so profoundly. Why did Joseph’s story resonate with me on such a deep level? Between the ages of sixteen and thirty, as my early ministry unfolded, I began to notice that my life mirrored Joseph’s in striking ways.
The similarities were so uncanny that they seemed far too deliberate to be mere coincidence. It felt as if God had orchestrated my journey to align closely with Joseph’s. Now, at sixty, I am more convinced of this than ever. Throughout my forty years in ministry, I have spoken with countless church leaders who have encountered experiences echoing both Joseph’s and my own. While they may not have felt the same deep ‘spiritual empathy’ I experienced, they were keenly aware that mysterious forces were shaping their lives and ministries.
This is why I believe a thoughtful exploration of Joseph’s preparation for leadership is incredibly valuable. It will provide insight into what you have experienced and what is ahead as God readies you for greater leadership and responsibilities. As you read the following, I hope you find as much encouragement in Joseph’s life as I have.
A. PITTED
1. An Early Call
Like me, Joseph received a revelation about his calling during his teenage years. At the age of seventeen, he experienced a series of divine dreams that foretold his eventual rise to a significant leadership role, allowing him to help many people.
However, much like myself, Joseph lacked the discretion to keep his thoughts to himself, which led to serious problems with his brothers. They entirely dismissed his dreams, and it’s possible that Joseph exhibited a hint of spiritual pride, though the Scriptures do not explicitly state this. Being the favored son of his father in his old age, Israel cherished Joseph more than his other children, even creating for him a splendid “coat of many colors.”
This garment had long sleeves that reached his wrists and a skirt that extended to his ankles, resembling the attire worn by princes in royal courts. In contrast, his brothers wore shorter tunics and trousers suited for shepherds, typical of men in the fields.
This disparity only fueled the resentment and jealousy of Joseph’s eleven older brothers toward his privileged position. One day, Israel sent Joseph to check on his brothers and report back about the flocks. Upon seeing him approach, the brothers plotted to kill him and make it look like an accident. The eldest brother, Reuben, intervened, suggesting they toss him into a nearby pit for the time being. Thus, Joseph was cast into the pit.
2. Trials And Setbacks
This era in Joseph’s life is typical of what many go through who are called to be ministers at an early age. I know in my case, right after graduating middle school, I went and joined “my brethren” in a missionary training school where they were being prepared to go out to preach the gospel.
During my time there, I kept getting into trouble because many of the students were being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Because I came from a “spirit-filled family” I was usually the one they thought was responsible, and was often “called on the carpet” to explain what part I had in what was happening.
The fact was, I only talked to the students who came to me inquiring about the Holy Spirit. Of the dozens who were filled with the Spirit during that year, only three or four had come to me. The rest were filled while out in the mountains praying and seeking God alone. God saw their hungry hearts and filled them.
As time progressed, I worked hard at all my assignments. Because I had experience running printing equipment, I worked many weeks without compensation happily helping in the print shop. My natural aptitude for mechanical things qualified me
to work many more weeks helping remodel a cargo aircraft into a passenger airplane to transport missionaries around the world.
When it came time to review the student graduates for missionary appointment, I was presented a paper to sign. I was being asked to promise never to teach or preach the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Of course, I could not sign such a promise. I had to be true to the Bible and God’s call on my life. For refusing, I was asked to leave. Heart-broken over this pitting, I left discouraged and confused. No one even said “thanks” for all I had done.
Despite all this I loved them. For some years after, I contributed money to the general fund of this mission and helped support their missionaries.
B. POTTED
While Joseph’s brothers were discussing what to do with him, a Midianite camel train passed into view. Judah said, “Why don’t we sell Joseph to the Midianites?”
“Great idea!” chimed in the rest. So it was done. For twenty pieces of silver Joseph was sold into slavery (the same price for which Judas betrayed Jesus).
In Egypt, at the slave auction, a man named Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, purchased Joseph as his slave. It wasn’t long after that Potiphar realized God blessed everything Joseph touched. So he made Joseph his chief administrative assistant, and turned over all his business affairs to Joseph to run them.
1. False Accusations
Joseph was a handsome young man, and Potiphar’s wife began making eyes at Joseph and pressed him to sleep with her. Joseph protested but she grabbed him and insisted he go to bed with her. Instead, Joseph pulled away to flee. She grabbed his jacket and tore it from him — and Joseph ran out of the house.
That night, Potiphar’s wife told her husband that Joseph had tried to rape her. This made Potiphar extremely angry and he ordered Joseph put into prison.
“There in prison, they hurt his feet with fetters, and placed his neck in an iron collar… ” (Ps 105:18 tlb). Through the lying intrigue of Potiphar’s wife he was potted!
Can you who reflect back on the early years of your ministry and identify with these problems? Perhaps you are going through a “pitting” or “potting” experience right now. There is a reason for it, you know.
2. God Is In Charge
I find it extremely interesting to note the Bible says, ” God sent Joseph as a slave to Egypt to save his people from starvation” (Ps 105:17). God sent Joseph? I thought his brothers contrived to kill him and sell him as a slave. Yes, that is the story as man saw it.
But from the divine viewpoint, God was there all the time — working all things together for good for Joseph and the chosen family.
If only we could understand this when trials, rejection, misunderstanding and injustice come to our life. God is in charge. If we are not guilty of wrongdoing, and are not suffering for willful disobedience — we can know that He will make all the things that seem to be against us, work out for our good and the good of others.
God had to teach me some valuable lessons through being “potted.” When I started out as a young preacher, starting new churches, other church leaders made many false charges against me. I had done nothing wrong, but because of certain sacrifices I was making in serving the Lord, it made others suspicious and jealous.
a. Censored. I found I was going to be censored by brothers against whom I had done no harm. I was being betrayed by brothers I trusted. As I fasted and prayed, the Lord gave me these precious promises.
“I will look with pity on the man who has a humble and a contrite heart, who trembles at my word….
“Hear the words of God all you who fear and tremble at his words: Your brethren hate you and cast you out for being loyal to my name.
‘”Glory to God,’ they scoff. ‘Be happy in the Lord!’ But he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed (Isa 66:2,5 tlb).
From this verse I was convinced of two things. One: whatever happened, I must keep a humble attitude and not answer anger and arrogance with the same. Two: I was certain I would get the “left foot of fellowship” (be censored by church leaders).
One day the Lord gave me such very specific and supernatural direction that it overwhelmed me. It was a clear and accurate statement about the whole situation — I knew precisely what was going to happen and what I must do. On this occasion, God’s message came to me from III John.
This book tells the story of a man named Diotrephes. He is described in these words. “He not only refuses towel-come the missionary travelers himself, but tells others not to, and when they do, he tries to put them out of the church ” (vs 10 tlb).
With a very sad heart, I sat down and wrote my enemies. I explained that Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” I assured them of my love, and why I had no choice but to resign. It was the only way the situation could be resolved peaceably. My resigning brought peace. The turbulent seas calmed.
b. All Hope Gone . But for me it also brought despair and the hopeless feeling that I would never be able to fulfill the calling I had on my life.
For over ten years I secretly clung to the hope that one day my brothers would help me. Under their auspices, I could go out to some unevangelized part of the world and help reach the lost for Jesus. Now — ALL HOPE WAS GONE! This could never happen.
I said to my wife, “There is no way I will ever be able to fulfill the call to preach the gospel in all the world. I must have been terribly mistaken eleven years ago, when I set out to obey what I thought was the call of God. There is no way it can ever happen now.” From every natural perspective, that was true.
c. God Had A Plan. It was one of the darkest days of my life. It would be some years later before I would fully understand that, like Joseph and his brothers, some
“thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good… to save much people” (Gen 50:20).
As I continued seeking the Lord, He let me know that while I had to be careful never to “… abuse my right in the gospel, I was free from all, that I might be the servant of all” (lCor 9:18,19).
At the time, I never dreamed God had such a big plan for my life and ministry. I had no idea the Lord would open doors to train thousands of church leaders.
1) A “Joseph Ministry”. I have always tried to revere and honor my brothers who did me wrong despite what happened. Nor do I suggest that what I did in withdrawing should be the course anyone else should take.
Of Joseph it was prophesied, “The blessings… shall be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of… him that was separate from his brethren” (Gen 49:26). Joseph was not a
“separated brother” by his choice, but by divine providence. Like myself, had he the choice, he would have stayed in the security of the family under the covering of the patriarch — but God had a different plan for Joseph.
The word of the Lord concerning Joseph indicated he was to be “a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches reach over the wall” (Gen 49:22). Walls can never enclose a
“Joseph Ministry.” His branches must always reach over — so that anyone who is in need of shade, or is weary and hungry, can help himself in the cool shade of the fruit-filled branch.
The fruit and shade of a “branch over the wall” is available without charge — for you see, no charge can be put on the fruit taken from a branch that reaches “over the wall.”
Under Old Testament custom and Levitical decree, branches and fruit which
“reach over the wall” are public domain — anybody may freely partake of it. France still observes these biblical agriculture laws and her farmers are blessed because of it.
The cry goes out as in ancient times, “Say there! Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk — it’s all free! ” (Isa 55:1 tlb).
It was for this “Joseph Ministry” that God was preparing me. But at the time, I did not realize the full implications of what was happening.
The sense of rejection, loneliness and isolation was very difficult for me (just as it must have been for Joseph). But God had put me in the circumstances. There was nothing I could do to get out (unless I would be willing to violate God’s will).
4. Tried By The Word
“Until the time that his [Joseph’s] word came, the word of the Lord tried [tested]
him” (Ps 105:19). Ten or twelve years behind bars with chains on your wrists and an iron collar around your neck will crush the life out of any innocent man.
Joseph was in a structure of circumstance designed by a divine architect. But having no sure knowledge of that made his life seem hopeless beyond description. If only he had known for sure, it might have made the hardships and waiting tolerable.
All he had were the dreams — and nothing had worked out the way the dreams indicated. In fact, everything that had happened so far, was contrary to the revelation he had received from the Lord.
The dreams contained no hint that Joseph would suffer total rejection by his brothers and be thrown into a pit. There was no indication in the revelation from the Lord
that he would be sold into slavery, be falsely accused, and spend endless years in prison.
He must have wondered, “What in the world is going on? Why is all this happening to me?”
When the first martyr, Stephen, was giving his dying discourse he recounted Joseph’s agony.
“God… delivered him [Joseph] out of all his anguish ” (Acts 7:10). Yes, he had anguish! Indescribable anguish!
He had done nothing wrong at home or in Potiphar’s house. Yet here he was a slave prisoner with no hope of ever getting out. He had maintained chastity and moral purity. His reward was a life sentence without parole in, a stinking, hot, lice-filled, leach-infested, dung-covered prison dungeon.
Most of us will never come close to knowing the anguish Joseph must have felt during those lonely isolated years. He was living off prison slop for meals, he probably had nothing but dirty Nile River water for quenching his thirst. He was a victim of the dealings and preparations of God.
He, like many of you, was chosen by God for leadership, and this was his training school. Before God was finished with Joseph, he would graduate from the school of the fire of God.
C. PUTTED
I guess the most unbelievable thing to me about Joseph is his resilience — his incredible ability to maintain a relationship with God in such circumstances. That he was free of bitterness, hatred and anger is a strong indicator he was sustained by a marvelous miracle of God’s grace (enablement).
1. Faithful Stewardship
About ten years after Joseph was committed to prison, two of the inmates had dreams. Joseph had instant interpretations for both men. Even in that hell-hole of a prison, after so many years, the gift of God was still working in Joseph. How amazing!
It was this unique, faithful stewardship of God’s gifts that would ultimately lead to his promotion and exaltation.
Joseph told the chief butler the interpretation of his dream. The chief butler would be restored to his place of privilege in Pharaoh’s palace. The butler was restored, thus proving the validity of Joseph’s prophetic gift.
Joseph appealed to the butler to speak to Pharaoh and seek a reprieve of his prison sentence. But the ungrateful butler promptly forgot about Joseph. Meantime, the hapless baker had been executed, as Joseph had told him he would when interpreting his dream.
Two years passed. Then one day the word spread through the palace that the Pharaoh had received several dreams that troubled him greatly.
Because no one could interpret them to the Pharaoh’s satisfaction, he was threatening to kill all the magicians and sages of Egypt.
The butler suddenly remembered Joseph. Perhaps he could interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. As a result of the Pharaoh’s request for an audience, Joseph was bathed, shaved, dressed appropriately and thrust into Pharaoh’s presence.
Upon hearing the dreams, Joseph immediately gave the interpretation. It meant seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of drought and famine.
Joseph also gave the Pharaoh a fourteen-year plan of action that would mini mize the impact of the coming calamity.
2. Promotion
The Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph, he made him second in command of all Egypt. Only the Pharaoh himself would have greater authority.
“Then Pharaoh placed his own signet ring on Joseph’s finger as a token of his authority, and dressed him in beautiful clothing and placed the royal gold chain about his neck and declared, ‘See, I have placed you in charge of all the land of Egypt ‘ “(Gen 41:41 tlb).
Finally it happened! Joseph was “putted” on the throne of Egypt. His long marriage to pain, loneliness, confinement, chains and irons was over. His day had come
— the day when God’s word of promise was finally beginning to be fulfilled!
3. Crowning Day
I know that for those who have forsaken all to follow Christ this coronation day awaits another age when we will rule and reign with Him. But believe me, all we go through now determines the extent of our reward on that day.
But I also know that even in this life Jesus promised fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and even houses and lands to all who had forsaken these to follow Christ (Matt 19:29). There are days of Heaven on earth for those who are called, chosen and faithful as Joseph was.
D. CONCLUSION
“Don’t be misled; …a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit gives him.
“And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. That’s why whenever we can we should always be kind to everyone, and especially to our Christian brothers ” (Gal 6:7-10 tlb).
“So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted… ” (ICor 15:58).
