One heartbeat in a sliver of time changed Joseph’s life from favorite son to humble slave. Envy transformed his coat of many colors into shackles and chains. He was now simply human commodity—the possession of men he did not know nor care to know. With each step he was taken farther away from Jacob’s love, support and wisdom. Joseph was tortured emotionally at being cut off from his father and all things familiar. Tears marked his trail into the abyss.

Nightfall came quickly to his first few hours as a slave. Joseph looked for opportunity to escape, but the chance never came. Burly, bearded guards kept a watchful eye over the group of slaves. He appeared to attract most of their attention. Joseph prayed for freedom to return home to his father’s side.

One of the biggest guards threw him a blanket. He slipped under it as darkness covered the land. He looked up into the night sky and remembered his dream. Feeling like a fallen star he wondered, How could I ever rule over my brothers? He finally drifted off, his tormented thoughts swallowed by the night.

Joseph jolted back to consciousness to the sound of the protesting camels. They didn’t want to be messed with—neither did he! As another day dawned, he remained in a state of shock. But he was not dreaming; he really was a slave. He was angered and shattered by the betrayal of his older brothers. They did not value him. His life was so cheap. They sold him for 20 pieces of silver—just 2 pieces each. How would they explain his absence to their father? he wondered. They had wanted to murder him; they wanted him out of their way. A thought pierced his mind like a bolt of lightning: They will make up some lie that I am dead! The thought caused him to mourn for his father, knowing he would be devastated by their deceit (Genesis 37:31-35).

His thoughts were interrupted when the same big guard who had thrown him a blanket brought him dates, bread and milk. He actually smiled at Joseph and encouraged him to eat. Knowing he had a long day of walking ahead, he devoured what was given to him. Yet, he wondered why the burly Ishmeelite was so kind to him.

When the camels started complaining again, Joseph realized the caravan was organizing to continue its journey. He groaned as he stood up—his legs were stiff as tree trunks. Yet, he soon fell in unison with the gait of the camels as they slowly and steadily plodded southward.

Suddenly Joseph came to himself. He realized God was not going to give him freedom. He was not going back to Hebron. Though clouded in mist, Joseph recognized his future would not be herding sheep. At that moment he decided to submit to whatever God was doing. In one heartbeat of a sliver in time, peace filled his mind. Joseph did not look back as he was marched toward Egypt.

Potiphar’s Overseer

Joseph sensed his journey into Egypt was coming to an end when he saw buildings in the distance. The odors of civilization filled his nostrils. His stomach churned not knowing what would happen next. Walking into the bustling city, he could not help gazing around in awe. The sounds, the people, the activity—all were so foreign to his shepherd’s life. When the caravan stopped, Joseph was confused. This couldn’t be the market. There were no piles of spices around, just cages containing children, women and men. Then it dawned on him—this was the market for buying and selling slaves.

The big burly guard came to Joseph, and separated him from the others. He took him directly to an official-looking Egyptian. Joseph was on display.

Jacob’s son was the picture of health. His skin was well bronzed, his muscles toned, his complexion radiant—the result of walking daily in fresh air and warm sunshine. The guard talked to the Egyptian. He had Joseph turn in a circle, giving the Egyptian a look at all sides. The Egyptian looked pleased by the display. But Joseph was humiliated. He kept his eyes down. Obviously, he was no better than a prized lamb. In just a matter of weeks, the favorite son of Jacob was sold twice like chattel. “And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard” (Genesis 37:36).

Although the Bible is silent concerning the amount Potiphar paid for Joseph, it would not have been long before he realized that Joseph’s abilities were more valuable than what he paid. It would have soon been obvious that there was something very special about this viral Hebrew slave.

The Eternal Was With Joseph

We can draw two significant lessons from this time in Joseph’s life. “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian” (Genesis 39:2). Tragically, Joseph lost everything: father, family, homeland, position and wealth. Yet notice—he did not lose the Eternal God! This fact made him a prosperous man. Think deeply on this verse.

Where is the evidence of your prosperity? Is it in gold, silver, expensive clothes, a nice home, a classy car, good friends, position or any other physical thing your heart might desire? Not one of these things represents true prosperity. But if the Eternal is with you, that is real prosperity!

One could live in a mansion and still be in dire poverty if the Eternal is not with you. However, you could be just like Joseph—a slave—and be extremely prosperous when God is in the slave pit with you. The carnal mind cannot grasp this spiritual depth. Yet, all of us in God’s Church should strive to better understand this spiritual concept. Why? In the weeks and months ahead severe trials—like the physical privations Joseph faced—are sure to come upon us. Do you have a the-Eternal-is-with-me attitude? That powerfully positive attitude will get us through any trial.

Mr. Armstrong, his wife and children endured poverty for 28 years, but they learned the lesson that God was with them and using them. “But we had tremendous blessings spiritually. We rejoiced and were happy. We knew well that we deserved nothing! Yet we were privileged to be used in God’s Work! That blessing outweighed all material acquisitions and enjoyments possessed by all the rich people of the Earth combined! We thanked God for trials and tests–and for always carrying us through, and seeing every problem solved. Scores of times we thanked God that our trials and hardships had been physical and financial. My heart was no longer set on material acquisition. I had come to know its worthlessness. Instead, God had literally lavished upon us the true riches–the spiritual blessings!” Mr. Armstrong wrote in his autobiography. Despite the poverty, Mr. Armstrong and his family were truly prosperous.

Do we get it? When we ground our hearts in God’s Work, God is present with us, making us the most prosperous people on Earth. Knowing God and His priceless truth makes God’s people the only truly wealthy people in this world. Having the greatest prosperity in the world gives us the ability to meet and pass the tests and trials necessary to build God’s righteous character. Joseph recognized that God was with him and he submitted to the severe tests and trials God put in his path. What an example Joseph set for us!

The Humility of Slavery

There is no doubt Joseph was multi-talented. He had the capabilities to build a great empire. Yet, Jesus Christ reduced him to slavery. Why? While capacity is important to build an empire, character is necessary to sustain one. God chose Joseph to be second in command over all of Egypt. To successfully do this job–to handle the pressures and resist the temptations sure to accompany it–the young Hebrew needed more than capability. Joseph needed holy righteous character. Without such character that office could have destroyed Joseph spiritually. So God prepared Joseph for his fabulous future job by humbling him through slavery. “Humility comes before honor,” Solomon stated in Proverbs 15:33; English Standard Version). God will use this same tool with each one of us in order to get us ready for our fabulous future. How do we respond when God humbles us? We can learn much from Joseph.

He did not complain, pout or whine. Of course the young man was human. He certainly suffered emotional and mental pain at being made a slave, but he diligently went to work—sinking his heart into what God was doing with him. He did not drag his feet; doing only the minimal amount of work. He pursued excellence even in his slavery.

Joseph stood head and shoulders above all the other slaves. How long do we allow trials and tests to paralyze us into inaction before we get active and go to work, with zeal, on what God wants us to accomplish? “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you,” writes the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:12; esv). Trials should not surprise, shock or stop us—overcoming them is a large part of the true Christian way of life. When a trial hits, don’t complain, pout or whine–that is the result of thinking trials are strange. Honestly, we should think it strange if we don’t have trials. When your next trial hits, be a Joseph—know God is with you and get to work. If we do, at the end of our trial, we will always come out on top.

Potiphar recognized that God was behind Joseph and caused everything he did to prosper. Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that he took him into his own house. This would have been a great benefit to any slave. Potiphar became so impressed with the boy that in time he made him overseer of his entire household (Genesis 39:4). Joseph became much like a trusted son to Potiphar.

As Joseph developed godly character, God brought Joseph out of privation. Joseph lived well. And so did Potiphar. “And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field” (verse 5). God blessed Potiphar with great wealth because of his kindness toward Joseph. Potiphar held so much confidence in Joseph that he let Joseph manage all of his financial affairs. Only Joseph knew the true state of his wealth (verse 6). Never was there a time that Potiphar feared being cheated.

Unfortunately, Potiphar’s trust in Joseph would soon be severely tested.