Story of Joseph, the first:

Joseph is given a garment and authority.  The garment is taken away from him and used as false evidence that he is dead.  He is sold into slavery.

Story of Joseph, the second:

Joseph is given authority over Potiphar’s house.  But he refuses the wife’s seductions.  She takes away his garment and uses it as false evidence that he tried to rape her.  Joseph is thrown into Potiphar’s prison (Potiphar must have known Joseph was innocent).

Story of Joseph, the third:

Joseph is given authority over the prison and thus takes care of two special royal prisoners.  He demonstrates to the one who is restored to his high position that he can interpret dreams.  He begs for help but the official forgets his promise and leaves him in prison.

We don’t get final resoluton to the story until after two more years pass.  Then Joseph gets clothed with authority over the whole world.  But it takes a long time to get their.

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.