LIFETIME OF FAVOR  

You can ask, “Can a person have favor throughout their life” and the answer is yes. I say yes because of the favor that I experienced in my life and the continuous favor that I’ve seen in the life of my family and friends. However, for this blog, I will use the story of Joseph found in Genesis to depict how he received favor throughout his life. Let me say Joseph’s life was not easy, he experienced seasons of hardships and heartbreak, but despite these times, the favor of God and man was still upon him.

Genesis 30 revealed the birth of Joseph to Jacob and Rachel, and chapters 37 through 50 continues sharing his life story. Joseph was the eleventh child of Jacob but the first child of two for Rachel. When his story resumes in chapter 37, his mother, Rachel, had died, and his father favored him over all his brothers. The reason for this and the consequence of it is stated this way, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him” (Genesis 37:3-4).

In this chapter, Joseph had two dreams that he shared with his family, which caused his brothers to despise him; so, when the opportunity arose, they sold him for twenty pieces of silver to Midianites merchantmen. Brought down to Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the guard of Pharaoh. God was with Joseph and caused him to prosper in Potiphar’s house. Realizing God made Joseph productive, Potiphar made him overseer of his home. Joseph worked faithfully in this position until Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of sexual advances causing Potiphar to put him in prison (Genesis 39).

While in prison, Joseph found favor with the keeper of the prison, who utilized him as a supervisor of the other prisoners. Joseph remained in prison until he had the opportunity of interpreting a dream of Pharoah. Pharoah was so impressed with the wisdom God gave Joseph that he said, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” In this position, Joseph, who once wore a prisoner’s clothing, was clothed now in fine linen, with a gold chain about his neck and Pharoah’s ring upon his finger. Additionally, people bowed as he passed them in the royal chariot (Genesis 41).

During the years of famine in Egypt, Joseph was united with his father and brethren. Not holding any animosity against his brothers, Joseph, with the blessings and approval of Pharoah, took care of them and their families in Egypt. His brothers came to see and realize God favored Joseph, and through him, they were blessed (Genesis 45,47, 50).

After living seventeen years in Egypt, Jacob died, and Joseph having the favor of Pharoah, was able to transport Jacob back to Canaan with his household, his brothers, his father’s house, all the servants and elders of Pharaoh, and with great mourning, they bury Jacob in the cave of the field of Machpelah (Genesis 50).

Joseph had favor with his father as a child, and in his late teens, he found favor with Potiphar. As a young adult, he received favor in prison, and then in his adult years, when needed, he received the favor of Pharoah. God allowed Joseph to experience cruelty and disappointments but also blessed him with favor from individuals who had control of his future.

Similarly to Joseph, we may have despair, discomfort, and sometimes feel hopeless. Nevertheless, I recommend taking a moment to examine your life, and you will realize you have experienced a lifetime of favor that comes from God.