JOSEPH; Exemplary life of piety

Joseph, the last born of Jacob (Israel) lived a life that serves as an epitome of piety. His life was filled with total dedication to God. Although Joseph went through myriads of temptations and trials from all possible angles, he still remained faithful to God and did not defile himself.

Piety is defined in the Merriam Webster's dictionary as 'devotion to God : the quality or state of being pious'
But it has other sub meanings as

• fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents)
• dutifulness in religion
• orthodoxy

All these are different meanings of piety. Joseph's life was synonymous to piety. At the age of 17, he was sold as a slave by his brethren. He passed through all the intricacies of life. The flaming sword of life was not absent in his life. He passed through thick and thin. He was treated as a slave, fed as a slave and lived a life of difficulty all because of the neglect of his brethren.

His brethren hated him for being loved by his father. But in all these, the bible says that
'The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. (Genesis 39:2, ESV)' The lord was with Him. Yes. Is that unbelievable? That someone who's being oppressed to such extent still had the Lord at his side? Don't be mesmerised by this my friend. God is with His people always. Though they pass through difficulties, He will be there with them. He has promised "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
'6 So we can confidently say [with Joseph that], "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, ESV)

Many are the pious characteristics that we can learn from this man. Below are some of them

He was obedient to his father and fed his flocks
These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. (Genesis 37:2, ESV)

16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died: 17 'Say to Joseph, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Genesis 50:16-17, ESV)

He forgave his brothers of their wickedness

18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:17-21, ESV)

4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:4-5, ESV)

Joseph did not defile himself
7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:7-9, ESV)

The life of Joseph is worth learning from. He was a pious man. A man of great orthodoxy. He did not hold on to grudges but freely forgave others. Do you have these qualities? Maybe you're wondering how you can be pious. All that you need to do is to trust the Lord Jesus Christ and have a changed heart. A new heart that desires piety. Without God we can not have this virtue in us. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and we must be saved first. Repent and believe so that you can live an exemplary life of piety

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