Adaptability is doing right, even when things change. In learning about adaptability, we studied the life of Joseph. Being the eleventh of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph had a special place in the heart of his father. Joseph was the favorite son because God had given Joseph to Jacob in his old age. All of his brothers knew he was the favorite of his father by the coat of many colors that Joseph wore. As time went forward, the brothers grew tired of Joseph’s status and decided to get rid of him once and for all. They had planned to kill him, but instead they chose to sell Joseph as a slave and banish him to the land of Egypt. Joseph had to remember that God knew what was happening to him.
As a slave, Joseph rose to leadership in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that “…all that he had he put into his hand.” Unfortunately, Mrs. Potiphar thought that this included
her. She repeatedly tried to have Joseph do inappropriate things with her, but Joseph refused. Finally, Mrs. Potiphar could not take no for an answer and grabbed Joseph, but he ran away. She screamed and told a lie to all to those who came to her aid. Her lie sent Joseph to prison. Even in that difficult situation where Joseph could have done the wrong thing, he still believed that there was always a way to do right.
While in prison, Joseph had again risen to a position of leadership. This time it was while being a prisoner! Joseph met the chief butler and chief baker. These men had offended Pharaoh and were cast into prison for their crime. One night, the butler and baker had a dream that they could not understand. God had given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. Joseph hears the butler’s dream and tells him that in three days he will be restored to his former life and position. The baker’s dream was not as hopeful because in three days he would be dead. After three days, both dreams came to pass as God had told Joseph to they would. Joseph had told the butler to remember him when he returned to Pharaoh’s house. The butler did not remember for two years. If most of us were in Joseph’s position, we would be very unhappy, but Joseph knew that he must always rely on God, not circumstances.
Joseph is released from prison and rises to leadership once more as second in command to Pharaoh. A famine occurs and his brothers are forced to come to Egypt and beg for food. They do not immediately recognize this “Egyptian ruler” as their brother. Joseph eventually reveals himself to them and they go to meet their father Jacob. After Jacob passes away, the brothers are worried that Joseph will do whatever he wants to do to them. Instead, Joseph tells them, “Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” All of Joseph’s life was not a stroll in the park. There were some difficult times that were faced, but Joseph understood that life is sometimes hard.
There are many more things that should and could be said of the life of Joseph. One thing is certain. Joseph did not let the circumstances of life make him a perpetual whiner. He chose to practice adaptability by doing right even when things changed.