Joseph as Ruler in Egypt
by James Tissot (1836 – 1902)

Recently, my pastor Jeff Griffin, Senior Pastor of The Compass Church in Naperville preached a series of sermons on the life of Joseph. In presenting the story of Joseph, Jeff titled the series “Whiplash” and compared Joseph’s life with a roller coaster.

Jeff’s sermons deal with the ups and downs, the twists and turns of Joseph’s life. Jeff uses a roller coaster to illustrate Joseph’s life. When a person follows God, life will have its ups and downs; life is not a straight destination. When God is in control of our lives, life will bring its ups and downs, good times and bad times, twists and turns that we did not expect.

The life of Joseph was like a roller coaster. The title of the series “Whiplash” refers to the abrupt change of direction in Joseph’s life that resulted in years of suffering and humiliations which eventually ended up with his exaltation in a foreign land.

Joseph’s life began as the favorite son of his father. From a favorite son, Joseph ended up as a slave in Egypt. From his position as favored slave in the house of his master, Joseph ended up a prisoner in a dungeon in Egypt. From a prisoner in a dungeon, Joseph was exalted and became a counselor of Pharaoh, the second most powerful person in Egypt.

In all these twists and turns, ups and downs, God was in control of Joseph’s life. An important theme in the story of Joseph is divine providence. God was working behind the scenes providing, guiding, and writing the story of Joseph in the most unexpected way. Like a roller coaster, Joseph was firmly connected to the tracks, because his life was in God’s hands.

Life is like a roller coaster. Our futures are filled with unexpected twists and turns. This series of sermons on Joseph, “Whiplash,” will look at the life of Joseph and show us the way to survive life’s ups and downs.

Sermons on the Life of Joseph

1. Joseph – Family Dysfunction

2. Joseph – Career Success

3. Joseph: Overcoming Temptation

4. Joseph: Impacting Others

5. Joseph: Enduring Hardship

6. Joseph: Relational Conflict

7. Joseph: Extending Forgiveness

Other Studies on Joseph

Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors

How Can Someone Sell His Own Brother to the Egyptians?

The Old Testament in the News: Joseph

Joseph in Egypt: Evidence for an Egyptian Background for the Exodus

Defending the Bible: The King James Version

Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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