Introduction
We’re concluding our "Underdogs" series by exploring a truth we see in Joseph’s story: God uses the least likely to accomplish great things. If you’ve ever felt inadequate or unworthy, you’re in good company—these are often the very people God calls and equips. Today, we’ll follow Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace, discovering how God was with him every step of the way, just as He is with us.
1. Joseph’s Start as an Underdog
Joseph, one of twelve brothers, was his father Jacob’s favorite. He had a "coat of many colors" and dreams that hinted he would one day rise above his brothers. But Joseph’s favor and dreams only fueled his brothers’ jealousy. One day, they threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. Yet even in this dark moment, Scripture tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph…” (Genesis 39:2).
2. God’s Presence in the Pit and Prison
Joseph’s path took him from the pit to Potiphar’s house, where he was wrongfully accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned. Again, we see in Genesis that “the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21). Joseph continued to honor God, even in the dungeon, and he rose to a place of trust and leadership in prison.
Joseph’s time in prison didn’t waste his gifts but refined them. His God-given ability to interpret dreams helped him when Pharaoh sought answers to his own troubling dreams. Interpreting Pharaoh's dream landed Joseph in a new role: second-in-command in Egypt. God was with Joseph in each trial, preparing him for the next step in His plan.
3. The Bigger Picture: God’s Plan and Purpose
After interpreting Pharaoh's dream of famine, Joseph orchestrated the storage of grain for the seven years of famine. This preparation saved not only Egypt but also Joseph’s own family when they traveled to Egypt seeking food. In an incredible twist, his brothers—who had sold him—bowed before him, just as his childhood dreams had foreshadowed. Joseph saw that all his trials had led him here. He said, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the survival of many” (Genesis 50:20).
4. Lessons for Today’s Underdogs
Joseph’s story reminds us that even when life seems chaotic, God is working behind the scenes. Our struggles, whether in the "pit" of despair or the "prison" of circumstances, shape us for God’s greater purposes. The setbacks in Joseph’s life were stepping stones leading him to his purpose. In your own life, the "pits" and "prisons" you face are not wasted but used by God to grow you. With God on your side, even the most unlikely become equipped to bring hope to others.
5. Joseph’s Life as a Foreshadow of Jesus
Joseph’s story also reflects Jesus’ own journey. Like Joseph, Jesus was betrayed, condemned, and ultimately elevated to a position of rescue and authority. Just as Joseph saved his family, Jesus extends grace and forgiveness to us. He brings us out of our struggles to the life He prepared for us, a life transformed by His love.
Conclusion
Joseph’s life demonstrates that God is with us even in life’s darkest moments, weaving all experiences into a bigger purpose. Whether you’re in the "pit" or the "palace," know that God is using every piece of your journey. Remember, you may feel like an underdog, but God specializes in using the least likely to accomplish the greatest things.
