The Bible story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, is familiar to many. When seeking encouragement during hardship, this go-to passage is an excellent reminder that God can take what the enemy meant for evil and use it for His good and the good of His children. However, an aspect of this story is often overlooked because it is a more difficult pill to swallow:

And He called for a famine upon the land [of Egypt];
He cut off every source of bread.
He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
His feet they hurt with shackles;
He was put in chains of iron,
Until the time that his word [of prophecy regarding his brothers] came true,
The word of the LORD tested and refined him.
(Psalm 105:16–19, AMP)

In this passage, the psalmist recounts the life of Joseph. He also reveals that until Joseph’s prophetic dream came to pass, the very words God spoke over his life would not come to fruition until his flesh was crucified through testing and refinement.

Consider the deeper context of these verses. In Hebrew, the word translated “tested and refined” is tsaraph, which means tried, purged, and refined, as a goldsmith refines gold.¹ In the practice of goldsmithing, fire is used to heat metal until it becomes liquid. Then the impurities (or slag) rise to the surface, where they can be removed. What remains is the precious metal in its purest form.

When God gave Joseph dreams of ruling over his brothers, it was clear that impurities in his heart led him to speak prematurely about God’s plans for his life. Consequently, this set Joseph on a long, rocky road marked by hardship, humiliation, and suffering. Thus, God used the very word He spoke to Joseph to bring the slag of his heart to the surface. Why would God reveal Joseph’s promotion only to allow him to suffer and wait? Let us consider God’s process:

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
(Matthew 23:11–12, NLT)

God calls us to a life of humility in service to others. Only then can we be promoted to greater positions of influence. Without lowering our posture and becoming “less,” we cannot carry out God’s plan with purity and obedience. God wanted to promote Joseph, but not without first preparing him for success. Therefore, God exposed Joseph’s weakness to humble him so that He could be the one to exalt him.

The slag that rose to the surface of Joseph’s heart was pride, which became a major stumbling block that ultimately led him to the bottom of a pit. There he sat in darkness, feeling alone. But God, in His loving kindness, met Joseph there and revealed Himself. In the darkness, Joseph’s vision became clear, and he allowed God to initiate the refining process.

Over the years, God used several circumstances to remove any remaining impurities from Joseph’s life. The result was a posture of humility that shaped him into the faithful servant God desired him to be. Only through testing and refinement could God bring His word to pass in Joseph’s life, because it is the humble heart that can be trusted to lead others well.

Friend, consider your own life. When the Holy Spirit gives you a glimpse of your destiny, you may respond with excitement, believing your promotion is right around the corner. This is a critical misstep, because God never promotes His children without testing their character and obedience. The test is not meant to expose your failures or bring shame. Instead, it reveals areas where growth is needed to carry out God’s plan as He desires. In this way, He is setting you up for success. Nevertheless, you cannot bypass the process. God’s word sends you forward into your destiny, but not without first changing you. You must take on a greater measure of Christlikeness to succeed as God desires.

Have you fallen into the pit and cannot see a way out? Do you feel as though you are being punished? I want to remind you that God is giving you an opportunity to learn greater humility and obedience. He does not want to punish you; instead, He wants to promote you. The pit is a gift. The prison is a gift. The rejection is a gift. The persecution is a gift. May you remember the words of Joseph as he recognized the gift:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
(Genesis 50:20, AMP)

When you fall into the pit and are surrounded by darkness, remember that you are positioned for promotion. What you do in that moment matters. You can prolong your testing by giving in to your flesh, or you can be propelled into your destiny in Christ by choosing humble submission to God. Choose wisely. Trust God’s love for you, and let humility lead the way. At the right time, you will be exalted to bring glory to God and to save the lives of many.

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¹ Definition and analysis of Strong’s Hebrew 6884 (tsaraph), BibleHub.