Esther Earl brings this morning’s message, turning to the life of Joseph, she explains that his story is one of both highs and lows. Joseph’s name means “God will increase,” yet before he experienced God’s promises, he first endured seasons of disappointment, rejection, and hardship. Esther highlights that God often develops our character before fulfilling His calling on our lives.
She describes Joseph’s first “level” as receiving God’s dream. Joseph was deeply loved by his father and given a vision for his future, but he lacked the maturity to handle it wisely. Sharing his dreams too soon created tension with his brothers and eventually led to him being thrown into a pit and sold into slavery.
Although this looked like failure, Esther encourages us to see it differently. In God’s kingdom, setbacks are often preparation rather than defeat. While people tend to measure success by position and achievement, God is far more interested in shaping character. The difficult seasons of life are often where He does His deepest work.
She explores the next stages of Joseph’s journey, reminding us that God is present in every season of life, even the difficult ones. She encourages listeners to see Joseph’s story not as a series of setbacks, but as a journey of preparation.
Although Joseph’s dreams from God seemed far away, he remained faithful while serving as a slave in Potiphar’s house. Esther highlights that true success isn’t defined by status or recognition, but by God’s presence. Joseph worked diligently, served wholeheartedly, and honoured God even when no one was watching. His quiet faithfulness became the foundation for everything that followed.
When Joseph faced temptation from Potiphar’s wife, he chose integrity over compromise. Although this decision led to false accusations and imprisonment, Esther explains that obedience is never wasted. What looked like another setback was actually another stage in God’s plan. She reminds us that life’s hardest seasons often feel like waiting, where it seems nothing is changing, but God is still working behind the scenes.
Eventually, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams brought him before Pharaoh, leading to his promotion as ruler over Egypt. Esther points out that every difficult stage, the pit, the process, the pressure, and the waiting prepared Joseph for the responsibility he would one day carry. God was shaping his character long before fulfilling His promise.