Life and legacy of Joseph

Joseph

The Biblical story of Joseph, in the Book of Genesis, describes a personal success story in which Joseph overcomes obstacles and achieves his dreams. Jacob and Rachel's twelfth son, Joseph was favored as the youngest child. As a result, Joseph's siblings grow jealous of him, especially because Joseph seems confident and sure of himself. His brothers plot to sell Joseph to a group of Ishmaelites, who in turn sell Joseph to a eunuch in the court of the Egyptian Pharaoh. Through divine intervention and guidance, Joseph ends up prospering in his new surroundings through his foresight as a businessman. He becomes the sole proprietor of corn during a widespread famine. As a result, Joseph's brothers are forced to buy his corn and a family reunion ensues, causing the entire tribe to relocate to Egypt. The story of Joseph is one of the most ideal Biblical allegories for personal success. Joseph, who was a favored child, had visions and literal dreams of his future achievements. The story touches upon envy and teaches how confident individuals can learn how to overcome the enmity and ill-will of others who are jealous. Joseph was also forced to endure imprisonment based on a false accusation, and triumphed in spite of all obstacles. Part of the cause of Joseph's endurance was divine blessing: "But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison," (Genesis 39:21). Therefore, the story of Joseph shows how through both inner strength and faith in God, a person can overcome obstacles and achieve his or her dreams.

Most successful people know that success comes from a combination of divine intervention and hard work, just as it is illustrated in the Book of Genesis. For example, Thomas Edison said that "There's no substitute for hard work," whereas Marcus Cicero said that "There never was a great soul that did not have some divine inspiration," (quotes from About.com). The story of Joseph teaches that people should never give up on their childhood ambitions, but should cultivate them throughout times of great hardship. When Joseph was brought into Egypt, he could have grown depressed or dejected but he didn't because "the LORD was with Joseph," (Genesis 39:2). Joseph prospered both because he worked hard in the house of his master Pot'iphar and because God was with him. Furthermore, because Joseph refused Pot'iphar's wife's advances, the story shows how successful men can be men of virtue. Joseph did not hurt anyone for his own personal gain.

Joseph's childhood dream symbolized him as a shaft of wheat that was larger and more robust than any of his siblings: as a child Joseph knew he would be the most successful of Jacob's children. Jacob also seemed to know that his youngest son's achievements would surpass those of his other children, which is why Jacob gave him the special multi-colored coat.