Perhaps it is because some people, like the Athenians, want to hear something new, or maybe they want to make some Bible characters more relatable. Unfortunately, some speak negatively about Joseph, calling him a daddy’s boy and a tattletale, even saying that he flaunted his abilities by talking about his dreams that depicted him as a ruler. However, to reach those conclusions, one must insert their own presuppositions rather than take what the text gives us. Straight to the point – if you take what the Bible gives you, there’s no reason to besmirch Joseph’s character.

About Joseph being his father’s favorite, his brothers had previously shown the type of character they possessed, so why would it be any surprise that Jacob favored Joseph (Gen. 34:25-31; 35:22)? Could it simply be that Joseph was the son of Rachel, the woman Jacob loved (Gen. 29:18; 37:3)? Could it be that Joseph was much more righteous than his brothers? Either way, there are other instances in which parents showed favoritism toward their child, which was neither admirable nor proper (Gen. 25:28). My point is that the inspired text does not indicate that Joseph did anything deserving to bring that favoritism upon himself.

Joseph gives his father an unfavorable report about his brothers (Gen. 37:2). Is there any reason the Bible text provides that should give us a conclusion that these men were genuinely up to no good? Many biblical texts reveal those men to be of poor character (Gen. 37:18-35; 38:1-30), so it should be no surprise that they would have a bad report returned to their father. Is there a passage supporting any claim that Joseph lied when giving a bad report about his brothers? Moreover, if they were doing something they should not have done, would Joseph have been doing his brothers a service by keeping his mouth shut? To besmirch Joseph because he gave a bad report about his brothers is entirely without merit.

Joseph told his brothers, including his father, about his dreams (Gen. 37:5-11). As the historical narrative unfolds, we see that God granted Joseph the ability to have insight into dreams (Gen. 40:5-23). So as it turns out, the dreams that had been revealed to Joseph (by God) were a foretelling of the events that would come (Gen. 42:9). Joseph relating those dreams to his family was, therefore, a forthtelling of what God had revealed to him. Again, there is no reason to besmirch Joseph’s character because he told his family about the dreams that God had revealed to him.

Whether it is because people are looking for something new or trying to make Joseph more relatable, it is disheartening that some paint Joseph as a negative person. There is nothing evil spoken of Joseph in the Bible! Instead, the way God speaks of Joseph ought to inspire all, especially young people (Gen. 37:1-2; 41:46). Knowing that you can be young and do right by God is noteworthy.

Moreover, Joseph was a victim of much of what he dealt with in his lifetime!! He could not help that his father showed him favoritism, that his brothers were jealous of him, that they conspired against him/sold him into slavery, that a married woman cast longing eyes after him, that he was wrongly accused of attempted rape, and put into prison. But Joseph COULD determine how he would deal with every one of those circumstances. I’m confident that Joseph struggled with the feelings that come along with being deeply hurt because the names of his children (Gen. 41:51-52) and the emotions he expressed later in life reflect the pains (Gen. 42:24; 45:2, 14; 50:17). Yet we are not given any indication that he wallowed in self-pity, nor did he ever give up on God!

This world is filled with many heartaches and injustices, and all sorts of people are genuine victims of evil circumstances, to no fault of their own. What will YOU do with the undeserved pains and anguishes of YOUR life? Joseph is a GREAT EXAMPLE of faith in every situation. We will see that as we read of him if we are content to take what the inspired text gives us.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  

11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

~ Peter 5:6-11, NKJV