Mistreated But Mature In Christ

Before doing this Bible study, please read the one-minute introduction Prospering in Prison - Or Whining in Freedom. It explains the difference between Joseph who overcame great mistreatment and Cain who killed his brother and whined as if he was the victim. You can also watch the devotion on YouTube HERE. 

See Don't Pull the Victim Card—It'll Ruin Your Life for more insights on Cain's attitude, an attitude that's becoming more popular in our culture.

Now Let's look at the good example of Joseph:

1. Well-known Verses:

We often hear these verses recited. But do we really believe them? When we can't understand something, do we trust God with our confusion? Do we believe He knows what we're going through and can turn it to good in our lives?

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Romans 8:28: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2. Will We Serve God in Adversity?

As a slave, Joseph did his best and became one of the most trusted servants in his owners household. 

Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters... 

3. Can We Forgive Cruelty?

Joseph's brothers first tried to murder him but decided to sell him into slavery instead. Because of them he suffered separation from his father and homeland. He had every reason to take revenge on them. It must have been especially hard for Joseph because his brothers apparently made no attempt to repent to Joseph until their father died. And they appear to have repented out of fear, not genuine sorrow for what they'd done to Joseph. Yet Joseph said this to them:

Genesis 50:19-20: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  

See I Doubt They Genuinely Repented and Joe's Secret for more on this incredible statement.

“Joseph recognized that judgment belongs to the Lord, not to those who have been wronged. God had used his brothers’ evil intentions to preserve the family of Israel during the famine, yet their sin did not give Joseph the right to act as God’s judge. His refusal to retaliate anticipates the biblical command to leave vengeance to the Lord and displays the mercy that God calls His people to show.” (Biblehub)

See also Genesis 45, especially verses 4-5, 14-15  

 

copyright, 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BibleLoveNotes.com, updated 2026 

 

Understanding God's Loving Restoration

Before doing this study, please read the one-minute introduction Created in God's Image, But...

It explains that we are created in God's image, but that image was flawed when Adam and Eve sinned. 

Sometimes we take God's forgiveness, redemption, and restoration for granted. And we forget that our sins grieve God's heart.

For most Bite Size Bible studies, I use the NIV translation, but in this study, I've used a variety of reliable translations and more than one translation for certain verses. This can be helpful in gaining a fuller understanding of a passage. But avoid these poorly translated paraphrases: Errors: The Message & The Passion Translation. And don't be misled by KJV Only claims.

1. Sin, rebellion, and unbelief trouble the heart of God because they further damage His image in us and distance us from Him.

Ephesians 4 talks about our maturity and unity in the Lord. The full chapter is linked if you want to read more of the context: Ephesians 4.

NIV Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

NLT Ephesians 4:30: “And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

AMP Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].”

Have you ever thought of God's grief/sorrow when you sin? Understanding how He grieves should make us take our sins seriously, repenting fully and humbly.

2. The good news is that believers are in the process of restoring our souls to better reflect the image of God.  

NIV Ephesians 4:21-24: “When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

NLT Ephesians 4:21-24: “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Are you putting off and putting on? If not, seek the Lord!

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated 2026 

 

Handling Hard Questions Biblically

Before doing this Bible study, please read the one-minute introduction We Must Trust God with 3 Mysteries of Life. Or listen to it on YouTube: 3 Mysteries.

It explains that:

1. We won't understand everything in life.  
2. Not everything has a logical cause and effect.
3. People don't need "good reasons" to sin. 

Bible Study

As you read through these passages, consider how they can help you when you are confused and discouraged by difficulties in life.

God's Prerogative

Deuteronomy 29:29: The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. 

Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I am blessed to know that my knowledge will never match the knowledge of our all-knowing God. If I could understand everything He understands, He would be on my level, but He's not!

Job's Friends

Job's friends could not deal with the fact that Job was righteous but was suffering. So they tried to find reasons for his tragedies.  Below is one accusation from Eliphaz.

Job 22:5: Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?

And this is God's response to Job's friends:

Job 42:7: After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 

For additional insights see the 1-minute devotion Job's Friends   

Joseph's Choice

The world is full of examples of people who faced hardship and did the right things and people who faced similar hardships and did the wrong things. Sin is a choice. 

Joseph wisely chose to live his life on this premise:

Genesis 50:20: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.   

Genesis 50:20 is the Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28, putting the hard mysteries of life into God's hands and trusting Him to work out everything for our good.

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

For additional insights see Bad Blood  

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated 2026