Time after time, God rescued Joseph from whatever trial he faced. God gave Joseph the favor and wisdom to overcome each adversity and to eventually win the confidence and respect of his captors, including Pharaoh, the king of Egypt himself.
With each adversity, God increased Joseph's wisdom and favor with those who were over him. Pharaoh entrusted the entire nation and his household to Joseph's stewardship. Some time later, a terrible famine spread through the entire region - from Canaan down to Egypt - and everyone suffered greatly because they couldn't find anything to eat.
Jacob heard that Egypt had stores of grain; so he sent his sons, to procure food there. Later, when they returned to Egypt a second time, Joseph revealed his true identity to them. He also told Pharaoh his family story. Joseph then invited his father Jacob and all his clan to come and live with him in Egypt. So Jacob came, along with 75 extended family members and was taken care of by Joseph.
God's intent in allowing Joseph to endure these trials was to preserve the lives of countless people. We might wonder in our own lives, why God is permitting what we're going through, but the Bible says it is not to harm us. He's bringing good out of all of it.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †