雅各的第十一个儿子，埃及的宰相
Eleventh son of Jacob, governor of Egypt
从坑底到王宫
From the Pit to the Palace
2026-05-16
“约瑟对他们说："不要害怕，我岂能代替神呢？从前你们的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。"（创世记 50:19-20）”
“But Joseph said to them, "And Joseph said unto 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." (Genesis 50:19-20)”
中文
亲爱的弟兄姐妹，我是约瑟，雅各的第十一个儿子，拉结的长子。
你们知道我的故事，那件彩衣、那口枯井、那条通往埃及的商路。但今天我不只是要讲一个从奴隶到宰相的励志故事，我要告诉你，在这一切的背后，有一只看不见的手，在编织一幅远超我所能想象的图画。
一、被亲兄弟出卖（创37:28）
我十七岁那年，父亲给了我一件彩衣。那件衣服是父亲对我特别之爱的表达，我是他爱妻拉结晚年才得的儿子。但这件衣服也成了我苦难的开端，因为它让哥哥们的嫉妒到了无法忍受的地步。
我承认，年少的我不够智慧。我把两个梦告诉了他们，禾捆向我的禾捆下拜，日月星辰向我下拜，这等于火上浇油。但即使我不说那些梦，他们的恨意也早已根深蒂固。
那天父亲派我去看望在示剑牧羊的哥哥们。我不知道，我走向的是一个精心设计的陷阱。他们远远看见我，就彼此商量要害死我。流便劝住了他们，不要流他的血，把他丢在坑里，他原想回头来救我。
有些米甸的商人从那里经过，哥哥们就把约瑟从坑里拉上来，讲定二十舍客勒银子，把约瑟卖给以实玛利人。他们就把约瑟带到埃及去了。（创世记 37:28）
二十舍客勒银子。这就是我在哥哥们眼中的价值，一个奴隶的价格。他们把我那件彩衣染上山羊血，拿回去给父亲看，让他以为我被野兽撕碎了。
弟兄姐妹，被陌生人伤害是痛苦的，但被自己的亲兄弟出卖，那种痛苦是骨头里的。在去埃及的路上，我回望迦南的方向，心想：我还能回家吗？父亲此刻在做什么？他是不是在为我哭泣？我做错了什么，要遭受这样的对待？
二、耶和华与约瑟同在（创39:1-21）
到了埃及，我被卖给法老的护卫长波提乏。但圣经记载了一句改变一切的话：
约瑟住在他主人埃及人的家中，耶和华与他同在，他就百事顺利。（创世记 39:2）
"耶和华与他同在"，在奴隶市场上、在异国他乡、在失去一切的处境中，神没有离开我。我不知道他为什么允许这一切发生，但我知道他没有抛弃我。信心有时候不是明白"为什么"，而是在不明白的时候仍然相信"神同在"。
我在波提乏家做奴隶的那些日子里，每天做着最卑微的工作，但我决定无论环境如何，都要忠心地做好眼前的事。这不是什么高尚的哲学，这是一个实际的选择：你可以在苦难中自暴自弃，也可以在苦难中尽心尽力。我选择了后者，因为我相信：即使人看不见我的忠心，神看得见。
波提乏看见"耶和华与约瑟同在"，看见"耶和华使他手里所办的尽都顺利"，一个异教徒能看见耶和华在他仆人身上的作为，这本身就是见证。你的信仰不需要用嘴宣扬，你的生命会替你说话。
我在波提乏家中尽心做事，波提乏信任我，把家中一切交给我管理。但试探来了，波提乏的妻子天天引诱我。我拒绝了，说了那句出名的话："我怎能作这大恶，得罪神呢？"我宁可得罪人，不愿得罪神。
结果呢？她诬告我，波提乏把我下了监。
把约瑟下在监里，就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。于是约瑟在那里坐监。（创世记 39:20）
从奴隶变成管家，再从管家变成囚犯。人生似乎在不断下坠。但那句话又出现了：
但耶和华与约瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司狱的眼前蒙恩。（创世记 39:21）
即使在监狱里，"耶和华与约瑟同在"。弟兄姐妹，这就是我一生学到的最重要的功课：神的同在不取决于你所在的环境。你可以在王宫里远离神，也可以在监狱里与神同在。环境不能定义你与神的关系，你的信心才能。
三、酒政却忘了他（创40:23）
在监里，我为法老的酒政和膳长解了梦。酒政的梦应验了，他官复原职。我求他在法老面前提说我、救我出去。
酒政却不记念约瑟，竟忘了他。（创世记 40:23）
"竟忘了他。"，这三个字，又是两年。我在监里又多等了两年。加上之前在波提乏家的年日，从被卖到被提拔，整整十三年。
十三年。你知道十三年有多长吗？足够让一个少年变成中年，足够让盼望变成绝望，足够让信心一点一点地被消磨。每一天醒来，我都要重新做一个选择：继续信靠耶和华，还是苦毒、怨恨、放弃？
我选择了信靠。不是因为我比别人更坚强，乃是因为在每一个黑暗的夜晚，我都能感受到那只看不见的手仍然托着我。那位在迦南旷野中与我祖父雅各摔跤的神，此刻也在埃及的监牢中与我同在。
四、神使我忘了一切的困苦（创41:51-52）
当法老的梦无人能解时，酒政终于想起了我。我被带到法老面前，为他解了七年丰收、七年饥荒的梦。法老立我为全埃及的宰相，一人之下，万人之上。
我给长子起名叫玛拿西：
约瑟给长子起名叫玛拿西，因为他说："神使我忘了一切的困苦和我父的全家。"（创世记 41:51）
我给次子起名叫以法莲：
他给次子起名叫以法莲，因为他说："神使我在受苦的地方昌盛。"（创世记 41:52）
两个儿子的名字，就是我整个生命的见证。"忘了一切的困苦"，不是说我失忆了，而是说神的恩典如此浩大，以至于苦难的记忆不再能辖制我。"在受苦的地方昌盛"，不是在苦难结束之后才昌盛，而是在受苦的地方、在受苦的过程中就已经昌盛了。
这就是神做事的方式：他不一定把你从困境中挪走，但他在困境中使你昌盛。约瑟在监狱里就开始管理，管理能力不是到了王宫才突然获得的，而是在苦难中一点一点磨炼出来的。十三年的等待不是浪费，那是神的训练营。
五、你们的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的（创45:4-8, 50:19-21）
饥荒来了，我的哥哥们来埃及买粮。他们不认识我，我已经不是当年那个十七岁的少年了。经过一番试验之后，我向他们表明了身份：
我是你们的兄弟约瑟，就是你们所卖到埃及的。现在，不要因为把我卖到这里自忧自恨。这是神差我在你们以先来，为要保全生命。（创世记 45:4-5）
这样看来，差我到这里来的不是你们，乃是神。（创世记 45:8）
"差我到这里来的不是你们，乃是神。"，这不是自我安慰的话。这是信心的宣告。我花了十三年才看见这幅完整的图画：那口枯井、那条商路、那间监牢，每一步都是神在下棋。人以为在害我，神却在用他们的恶来成就他的善。
父亲雅各去世后，哥哥们害怕我报复。他们派人来求我饶恕。我对他们说了那句照亮整个旧约历史的话：
不要害怕，我岂能代替神呢？从前你们的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。（创世记 50:19-20）现在你们不要害怕，我必养活你们和你们的妇人孩子。
于是约瑟用亲爱的话安慰他们。（创世记 50:21）
"用亲爱的话安慰他们"，这几个字常常被人忽略，但对我来说，这是整个故事中最困难的部分。饶恕不是一瞬间的决定，饶恕是一个漫长的过程。在那十三年的等待中，我有无数次机会让苦毒在心里生根。但每一次，当我想起父亲教导我的神，亚伯拉罕的神、以撒的神、雅各的神，我就知道：我不能让仇恨吞噬我。仇恨会毁掉的不是我的哥哥们，而是我自己。
饶恕不是说"你们做的事没关系"，他们做的事大有关系，那是恶。饶恕是说"我把审判的权柄交给神"，我岂能代替神呢？审判属于耶和华，不属于我。我的责任是爱，是用亲爱的话安慰，是养活他们和他们的妇人孩子。
"你们的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的。"，弟兄姐妹，这是圣经中关于神的护理最深刻的一句话。人有人的意思，神有神的意思。人的意思可以是恶的，嫉妒、出卖、陷害、遗忘，但神的意思永远是好的。他能够把人一切的恶，编织进他美善的旨意之中，"成就今日的光景"。
后来使徒保罗写道："我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。"（罗8:28），这不就是我一生的写照吗？
亲爱的弟兄姐妹，你是否正在"枯井"里，被人出卖、被人诬陷、被人遗忘？你是否正在经历你人生中的"十三年等待"，看不见出路，看不见盼望？请记住约瑟的故事：差你到这里来的不是那些伤害你的人，乃是神。他的意思原是好的。你今日的苦难，在他的手中，会成就将来的荣耀。
不要害怕。耶和华与你同在。
你的弟兄，约瑟
English
Dear brothers and sisters, I am Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, firstborn of Rachel.
You know my story, the coat of many colors, the empty pit, the road that led down to Egypt. But today I want to tell you not just an inspiring tale of a slave who became a prime minister, I want to tell you that behind it all was an unseen hand, weaving a tapestry far beyond anything I could have imagined.
I. Sold by His Own Brothers (Genesis 37:28)
The year I was seventeen, my father gave me a coat of many colors. That coat was the expression of my father's special love, I was the son his beloved Rachel had borne him in his old age. But that coat also became the beginning of my suffering, because it stirred my brothers' jealousy to an unbearable degree.
I admit that in my youth I lacked wisdom. I told my brothers two dreams, sheaves bowing down to my sheaf, the sun and moon and stars bowing down to me, which was like pouring oil on a fire. But even if I had kept silent about those dreams, their hatred was already deeply rooted.
That day, my father sent me to check on my brothers pasturing sheep near Shechem. I did not know I was walking into a carefully laid trap. They saw me from a distance and conspired to kill me. Reuben intervened, don't shed his blood, throw him into a pit, he intended to return and rescue me.
Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. (Genesis 37:28)
Twenty shekels of silver. That was my value in my brothers' eyes, the price of a slave. They dipped my coat in goat's blood and brought it back to show my father, letting him believe I had been torn apart by wild animals.
Brothers and sisters, being wounded by strangers is painful, but being betrayed by your own blood brothers, that pain goes to the bone. On the road to Egypt, I looked back toward Canaan, wondering: will I ever go home? What is my father doing at this moment? Is he weeping for me? What have I done to deserve this treatment?
II. The LORD Was with Joseph (Genesis 39:1-21)
In Egypt, I was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's guard. But Scripture records a sentence that changes everything:
The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. (Genesis 39:2)
"The LORD was with Joseph", in the slave market, in a foreign land, in a situation where everything had been taken away, God had not abandoned me. I did not know why he was permitting all of this, but I knew he had not forsaken me. Sometimes faith is not understanding "why" but believing "God is with me" even when you don't understand.
I served faithfully in Potiphar's household, and Potiphar trusted me, entrusting me with everything in his house. But temptation came, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce me day after day. I refused, saying those famous words: "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" I would rather offend a person than offend God.
The result? She falsely accused me, and Potiphar had me thrown into prison.
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. (Genesis 39:20)
From slave to manager, then from manager to prisoner. Life seemed to keep descending. But that sentence appeared again:
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:21)
Even in prison, "the LORD was with Joseph." Brothers and sisters, this is the most important lesson of my whole life: God's presence does not depend on your circumstances. You can be far from God in a palace, and you can be with God in a prison. Circumstances cannot define your relationship with God, your faith can.
During those years in Potiphar's house, I had resolved: no matter what the circumstances, I would do my work faithfully and well. This was not some high philosophy, it was a practical choice: you can give up in suffering, or you can do your best in suffering. I chose the latter, because I believed: even if no person can see my faithfulness, God can see it. The day Potiphar observed that "the LORD was with Joseph," an unbeliever witnessed the work of the LORD in his servant, that itself was a testimony. Your faith doesn't need to be proclaimed with words; your life will speak for you.
III. Yet the Chief Cupbearer Did Not Remember Joseph (Genesis 40:23)
In prison, I interpreted dreams for Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker. The cupbearer's dream was fulfilled, he was restored to his position. I begged him to mention me to Pharaoh and get me out.
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. (Genesis 40:23)
"But forgot him.", Three words, then two more years. I waited another two years in prison. Counting the years in Potiphar's house, from being sold to being exalted, a full thirteen years.
Thirteen years. Do you know how long thirteen years is? Long enough for a youth to become middle-aged, long enough for hope to become despair, long enough for faith to be worn away bit by bit. Every day I woke up, I had to make a choice: keep trusting the LORD, or be filled with bitterness, resentment, and give up.
I chose to trust. Not because I was stronger than others, but because in every dark night, I could feel that unseen hand still holding me. The God who had wrestled with my grandfather Jacob in the wilderness at Peniel was with me now in an Egyptian prison cell.
IV. God Made Me Forget All My Hardship (Genesis 41:51-52)
When Pharaoh's dreams could not be interpreted, the chief cupbearer finally remembered me. I was brought before Pharaoh and interpreted his dreams of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Pharaoh made me prime minister of all Egypt, second only to himself.
I named my firstborn Manasseh:
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house." (Genesis 41:51)
I named my second son Ephraim:
The name of the second he called Ephraim, "And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41:52)
Two sons' names, they are the testimony of my entire life. "Made me forget all my hardship", not that I had amnesia, but that God's grace was so great that the memory of suffering could no longer hold power over me. "Fruitful in the land of my affliction", not fruitful after the suffering ended, but fruitful in the very place of affliction, during the very process of suffering.
This is how God works: he doesn't necessarily remove you from difficulty, but he makes you fruitful within it. I was managing things in prison before I ever managed things in a palace, administrative ability was not suddenly granted when I reached the royal court; it was forged through suffering one day at a time. Thirteen years of waiting was not wasted, it was God's training camp.
V. You Meant Evil, but God Meant It for Good (Genesis 45:4-8, 50:19-21)
The famine came, and my brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. They did not recognize me, I was no longer the seventeen-year-old boy I had been. After a series of tests, I revealed my identity to them:
"And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." (Genesis 45:4-5)
"So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 45:8)
"It was not you who sent me here, but God.", These are not words of self-comfort. They are a declaration of faith. It took me thirteen years to see this complete picture: the empty pit, the slave road, the prison cell, every step was God making his move. People thought they were harming me; God was using their evil to accomplish his good.
When my father Jacob died, my brothers feared I would take revenge. They sent a message begging my forgiveness. I said to them words that illuminate the entire Old Testament:
"And Joseph said unto 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. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them." (Genesis 50:19-21)
And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21)
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.", Brothers and sisters, this is the most profound sentence in all of Scripture about the providence of God. People have their purposes, God has his purposes. Human purposes can be evil, jealousy, betrayal, slander, being forgotten, but God's purposes are always good. He can weave all of human evil into the tapestry of his gracious will, "to bring it about that many people should be kept alive."
The apostle Paul later wrote: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28), Is that not the portrait of my life?
"He spoke kindly to them", these words are often overlooked, but for me they were the hardest part of the whole story. Forgiveness is not a momentary decision, it is a long process. Through those thirteen years of waiting, I had countless opportunities to let bitterness take root in my heart. But every time, when I remembered the God my father had taught me about, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, I knew: I cannot let hatred consume me. Hatred would not destroy my brothers; it would destroy me.
Forgiveness is not saying "what you did doesn't matter", what they did mattered greatly; it was evil. Forgiveness is saying "I transfer the right of judgment to God", am I in the place of God? Judgment belongs to the LORD, not to me. My responsibility is love: to speak kindly, to provide for them and their wives and little ones.
Dear brothers and sisters, are you in an "empty pit", betrayed, slandered, forgotten? Are you in your own "thirteen-year wait", unable to see a way out, unable to see hope? Hear Joseph's story: the one who sent you here is not those who hurt you, but God. His purposes are always good. Your present suffering, in his hands, will accomplish future glory.
Do not be afraid. The LORD is with you.
Your brother, Joseph
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