This man had one fault though, he was extremely arrogant. He boasted about himself, and that turned his family against him. Fianally they betrayed him, and he was thrown into prison, even though he had done nothing wrong. Eventually he was released and became a powerful business man.
    About seven years later there was economic crash. Many people were starving, but the man’s business was sussessful, and the crash didn’t affect him. He had the option to foreclose on a small company, but to his shock, that company was owned by his brothers! Instead of seeking revenge, he told his brothers that he would provide for them.

    Recognize this story? If you don’t, it’s a modern day version of Joseph. Joseph was a good person, but he had an attitude. His brothers got rid of him by selling him into slavery. After becoming a personal servant to an Egyptian, the man's wife tries to seduce him. But when Joseph refuses to compromise, she lies about him, saying that Joseph attacked her, and he is sent to prison for two. At that point, I think that Joseph would have ditched God. Instead, he grows closer to Him through the trials that the Lord allowed.

    Nine years later, when Joseph meets his brothers, he has all of Egypt under his command, being only second to Pharaoh in power! But Joseph is a changed man because his heart is different. His prideful attitude is gone. He could have commanded his brothers to bow down to him or even put them to death. Instead, he chooses to forgives them. As Genesis 45:5 says, "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

Trials breed one of two things, character or contempt. Which will you choose.  

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Joseph did play a few tricks on his brothers before he revealed himself. Maybe he recived his joking from his father. Jacob means trickster.