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Now, as we approach the end
of this system of things,
we want it to be said of us individually
and as an organization
that we made the very best use of our time.
Now, a good example for us
to imitate in this regard
is that of Joseph, son of Jacob.
As we know, many years after his brothers
sold him into slavery,
Joseph became a powerful ruler in Egypt.
He was in charge of food administration
throughout a seven-year famine.
During this time, his brothers traveled
to Egypt to acquire food.
And there they met Joseph,
but they did not recognize him.
At Genesis 45:3,
we read that Joseph
revealed who he was to them
but that he did not retaliate against them.
Instead, we read in verse 5
that Joseph said this to them
—he said: “Do not be upset
“and do not reproach one another
because you sold me here;
“because God has sent me ahead of you
for the preservation of life.”
Why could Joseph say this?
Because he had strong faith
and he had keen insight.
He put together the events in his life,
and he came to a mature conclusion.
Joseph could see that Jehovah had blessed him
throughout those difficult years,
and he positioned Joseph
for even greater service.
Now, what helped Joseph to become someone
who was highly regarded by both God and men?
Well, simply put,
he made the very best use of his time
in serving Jehovah.
Let’s consider three time periods
in Joseph’s life when he did this.
Those time periods are as a youth,
as a slave and a prisoner,
and as food administrator in Egypt.
So how did Joseph make the best use
of his time as a youth?
Well, the answer is:
He learned and he acquired.
As a young man, Joseph learned
from his
spiritually mature father and mother.
And he learned
from their many good qualities.
He also developed a deep sense
of what is right and what is wrong.
At the age of 17,
Joseph was already working as a shepherd.
Once, while assisting
some of his older brothers,
he noticed some wrongdoing on their part.
What would he do?
Would he keep the matter quiet?
No.
Joseph did what was right.
He reported the matter,
and that took courage.
And perhaps that added
to Jacob’s high regard for Joseph.
Next, Joseph acquired wisdom
beyond his years.
This is in harmony with Psalm 119:100,
where it says: “I act
with more understanding than older men,
because I observe your orders.”
What helped Joseph
to have wisdom at a young age?
Like the psalmist, Joseph observed
Jehovah’s orders, or commands.
Here are some specific things
that helped Joseph.
He had his own relationship with Jehovah
at a young age.
He did not follow after the crowd,
including his own brothers’ bad example.
Also, Joseph remained humble.
He did not view himself as superior
even though he had prophetic dreams
that proved to be true.
And Joseph was willing to accept
difficult assignments.
For example, we read at Genesis 37:13
that Joseph said: “I am ready!”
when asked by his father to go
and check on his brothers
who by then already hated him.
So Joseph made the best use of his time
while young
by learning from spiritually mature ones,
and he acquired wisdom beyond his years
by observing Jehovah’s commands.
How can a young person do this today?
Be like Joseph.
Keep a personal relationship with Jehovah.
Don’t follow after a crowd.
Have the courage to be different
when faced with the temptation
to do what is wrong.
Also, remain humble.
The blessings that we receive from Jehovah
should bring up
feelings of gratitude within us
—never feelings of superiority.
And finally, be willing to do what is hard.
This may include, for example,
sharing in aspects of our ministry
that may be especially hard for you.
Trust in Jehovah, and be like Joseph,
who said: “I am ready!”
Next, how did Joseph
make the best use of his time
while in servitude and then later in prison?
Well, the answer: He worked hard,
and he set a good example.
In total, Joseph spent about 13 years
as a slave or in prison.
Now, he could have shriveled up
and faded away like a dying flower.
But instead, Joseph worked hard
and he applied himself.
He used his time well,
and he showed remarkable patience.
With Jehovah’s blessing,
Joseph interpreted prophetic dreams
while in prison.
He did so for Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer
and for his chief baker.
No doubt, Joseph’s faith grew
as he saw those prophecies come true.
But he had to be patient.
Two years after Joseph correctly interpreted
the cupbearer’s dream,
the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph.
When Pharaoh needed someone
to interpret his own prophetic dreams,
the cupbearer recommended
that Joseph could do so.
Again, patience was needed.
If Joseph
had been released from prison earlier,
he may have returned home.
And if he did so,
he would not have been in Egypt
at the crucial time
during which Jehovah
used him for a great work.
At the right time, Joseph was released.
Then, in just one day,
he went from being a lowly prisoner
to being the second highest ruler in Egypt.
Joseph was richly rewarded
for remaining patient
and using his time well.
How can we imitate Joseph?
We can imitate him by working hard
in Jehovah’s service
and setting a good example
in showing patience.
We must use our time well,
even when faced with difficult circumstances.
We don’t know how Jehovah may use us
if we remain focused on his work.
Even more difficult times are ahead of us,
but by using our time well as Joseph did,
the days will move along quickly.
And we’ll get to see Jehovah
do marvelous things for his people.
It’s going to happen.
And that brings us to the third example.
How did Joseph make the best use of his time
as food administrator in Egypt?
The answer: He acted decisively,
and he did not waste time.
Joseph acted decisively
on Jehovah’s direction.
Jehovah arranged for Joseph
to be put into a position of authority,
to plan for the coming famine,
and then to implement that plan.
Jehovah gave this advance notice
in order to help the people
prepare for the coming famine.
That saved them as well as many others,
including Jacob and his family.
As Joseph would later tell his brothers,
he was sent ahead
for the preservation of life.
Obviously, Joseph had meditated
on his circumstances
and realized that everything
was in Jehovah’s control,
and Joseph happily submitted to that.
And for this reason, he acted immediately.
Joseph did not waste time
during the seven years of preparation.
He started right away.
He recommended a plan of action.
There were seven years of plenty
that were available
to prepare for the coming famine.
This included appointing overseers
in the land,
collecting one-fifth of the produce,
stockpiling grain in the cities,
and safeguarding the grain.
Joseph also traveled throughout the land.
Genesis 41:46 says
that he “went out from before Pharaoh
and traveled
throughout all the land of Egypt.”
In other words, Joseph did not waste time,
and he did not neglect any area
under his oversight.
How can we imitate Joseph?
When given a project or an assignment,
act decisively.
Be organized—possibly creating a plan
and then implementing that plan.
And like Joseph, use your time well.
Focus on the work
that we have been given to do
during these last days.
So in summary,
Jehovah is providing and will provide
all that we need to prepare us
for the coming great tribulation.
As it comes, be like young Joseph,
like imprisoned Joseph,
and like Joseph the administrator
and act on any direction that we receive.
Just trust and act.
Today,
headquarters representatives
travel throughout the earth
to build up the brotherhood.
And with Jehovah’s blessing,
we’re not wasting time
and we’ll be prepared to face what is coming.
After this, there will come the blessings
of Kingdom rule.
Here too, even more than Joseph,
Jesus will not waste a single day
of the thousand years—not one day.
Every promise will come true.

Kenneth Cook, Jr.: Use Your Time Wisely Like Joseph (Col. 4:5)