(a) Narrate the story of Joseph in Canaan and indicate how he came to assume leadership role in Egypt . (b) Give any two leadership qualities you find in hi...

Answer Details

(a) The story of Joseph and his rise to leadership in Egypt (Genesis 37-41)

Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob in Canaan, marked out by the coat of many colours and by two dreams in which his brothers and parents bowed before him. Out of envy his brothers plotted against him; when he came to them at Dothan they stripped him of his coat, cast him into a pit, and sold him to Ishmaelite (Midianite) traders for twenty pieces of silver. They dipped the coat in goat's blood and told Jacob a wild beast had devoured him.

In Egypt Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. God prospered him and he was made overseer of the whole household. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, Joseph refused, saying, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" She falsely accused him and he was thrown into prison. Even there the Lord was with him and the keeper put all the prisoners under his charge.

In prison Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker: the butler would be restored and the baker executed, which came to pass. Two years later Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat and seven lean cows, and seven full and seven withered ears of corn, which none could interpret. The butler remembered Joseph, who was brought before Pharaoh. Joseph explained that the dreams foretold seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and advised that a wise man be appointed to store grain. Pleased, Pharaoh said, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" He set Joseph over all Egypt, second only to himself, giving him his ring, fine linen and a gold chain. Thus Joseph rose from slave and prisoner to prime minister of Egypt.

(b) Two leadership qualities in Joseph

1. Wisdom and foresight: he planned ahead by storing grain during the years of plenty to save the nation from famine.
2. Integrity and self-control: he resisted Potiphar's wife and remained faithful and God-fearing even under temptation and injustice.