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Genesis 39:

Reading #145  A slave in Egypt

Now we are led back to see some more of Joseph’s history.  From here on we are able to appreciate how the Son of God can turn the most seemingly worst of experiences into a story of glory.  We may gain courage for ourselves from this record.

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Genesis 39:

1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down there.

2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him [how?], and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace [favour] in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

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How and why was Joseph so prosperous?  See Note 1.

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Job 36:

7 He [God] withdraws not His eyes from the righteous… yes, He establishes them for ever, and they are exalted. 8 And if they be bound in fetters [chains], and be held in cords of affliction; 9 then He shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded [which has allowed the problem to come].

10 He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity [sinful ways]. 11 If they obey and serve Him [in their work], they shall spend [some of] their days in prosperity, and [some of] their years in pleasures.

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Let’s consider the circumstances of how this came about.

Joseph with his captors was on the way to Egypt, and as the caravan journeyed southward toward the borders of Canaan, the teenager could discern in the distance the hills among which lay his father's tents. Bitterly he wept as he thought of that loving father in his loneliness and affliction. Again the scene at Dothan came up before him. He saw his angry brothers and felt their fierce glances bent upon him. The stinging, insulting words that had met his agonized entreaties were ringing in his ears. With a trembling heart he looked forward to the future. What a change in situation - from the tenderly cherished son to the despised and helpless slave! Alone and friendless, what would be his lot in the strange land to which he was going? For a time Joseph gave himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror. 

But, in the providence of God, even this experience was a blessing to him. He learned in a few hours that which years might not otherwise have taught him. His father, strong and tender as his love had been, had done him wrong by his partiality and indulgence. This unwise preference had angered his brothers and provoked them to the cruel deed that had separated him from his home, and he resolved never to do as his father had done.

Its effects were clear also in his own character. Faults had been encouraged that were now to be corrected. He was becoming self-sufficient and exacting in his behaviour as the spoilt one. Accustomed to the tenderness of his father's care, he felt that he was unprepared to cope with the difficulties before him, in the bitter, uncared-for life of a stranger and a slave. 

Then his thoughts turned to his father's God.  See Jeremiah 29:12-13.

In his childhood he had been taught to love and fear Him. Often in his father's tent he had listened to the story of the vision that Jacob saw as he fled from his home an exile and a fugitive. Genesis 28:12. He had been told of the LORD's promises to Jacob, and how they had been fulfilled - how, in the hour of need, the angels of God had come to instruct, comfort, and protect him.  Genesis 32:1-2. And he had learned of the love of God in providing for men a Redeemer.  Job 19:25.

Now all these precious lessons came vividly before him. Joseph had always believed that the God of his fathers would be his God but hadn’t quite got around to meeting the commitment. He then and there gave himself fully to the LORD by accepting the gift of a new heart (he was reborn), and thanked the Keeper of Israel for promising to be with him in the land of his exile. His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to God - under all circumstances to act in His strength as became a subject of the King of heaven, which he now was.  Philippians 4:13. He would serve the LORD with undivided heart; he would meet the trials of his lot with fortitude and perform every duty with faithfulness. This was NOT a resolution such as men normally make, but one made in the realisation that he now had the power available from God to do this.  Philippians 4:13.  See also Romans 8:1-4.

One day's experience had been the turning point in Joseph's life.  See Romans 7:24-25.  Its terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed (as shown by his subsequent experiences), better than the gold of Ophir.  See Isaiah 13:12.

Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years.

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Genesis 39:

5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat [it was considered an abomination for a Hebrew to prepare food for an Egyptian.]. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured [and yet still a slave].

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The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph's care was not the result of a direct miracle; but his industry, care, and energy were crowned with the divine blessing.

As well as this, Joseph openly attributed his success to the favour of God, and even his idolatrous master accepted this as the secret of his unparalleled prosperity.  However, without steadfast, well-directed effort, success could never have been attained.  Luke 10:27-28. The Son of God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose that in purity and uprightness (righteousness) the believer in God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of idols - that thus the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of heathenism.  Jesus had not engineered this situation, but He was making the most of it with Joseph’s co-operation.

Joseph's gentleness and faith won the heart of the chief captain, who came to regard him as a son rather than a slave. The youth was brought in contact with men of rank and learning, and he acquired a knowledge of science, of languages, and of political affairs - an education needful to the future prime minister of Egypt.

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Genesis 39:

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused, and said to his master's wife, “Behold, my master wotteth [knows] not what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand; 9 there is none greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back any thing from me but you, because you are his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” 10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not to her, to lie by her, or to be with her [This was not a “oncer” but a continual temptation].

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He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character for he was in the midst of idolatry. The worship of false gods was surrounded by all the pomp of royalty, supported by the wealth and culture of the most highly civilized nation then in existence. Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity and his fidelity to God. The sights and sounds of vice were all about him, but he was as one who saw and heard not. His thoughts were not permitted to linger upon forbidden subjects.  Romans 12:1-2.  The desire to gain the favour of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles.

Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation as Peter was. Matthew 26:75.

But he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers because he had made it his own, and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of the LORD, the one true God.  Deuteronomy 6:4.  (It was this character that attracted Potiphar’s wife.)  Joseph walked with God as did Enoch and in this way brought Him into the Egyptian consciousness. He would not be persuaded to deviate from the path of righteousness and transgress God's law by any inducement or threats. His self-control and patience in adversity and his unwavering fidelity are left on record for the benefit of all who should afterward live on the earth.  He trusted in the promises of God.

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Genesis 39:

11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his [outer] garment, saying, “Lie with me”: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 that she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.”

16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 

17 And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, which you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me: 18 and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.” 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “After this manner did your servant to me”; that his wrath was kindled. 20  And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

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Under Satan’s direction Joseph's faith and integrity were tested by many fiery trials over the years.  At last his master's wife endeavoured to entice the young man to transgress the law of God. Before this he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming in that heathen land; but this last temptation, so sudden, so strong, so seductive, so direct - how should it be met?

Joseph knew well what would be the consequence of resistance. On the one hand were concealment, favour, and rewards; on the other, disgrace, imprisonment, perhaps death. His whole future life depended upon the decision of the moment. Would principle triumph? Would Joseph still be true to God? With inexpressible anxiety, angels looked upon the scene.

His answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was of God. "How . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God [and my neighbour]?" he said. [See Leviticus 6:1-2 for the principle.]

Let us ever remember that wherever we are, and whatever we do, we are in the presence of God. No part of our conduct escapes observation. Hebrews 4:12.  We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and therefore with impunity. But not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one. He or she may think himself or herself alone, but to every deed there is an unseen witness.  See Daniel chapter 5.

The very motives of our hearts are open to divine inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were centred upon us.

Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged herself by accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison. However, had Potiphar really believed his wife's charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew would have been executed.  But the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage. 

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Genesis 39:

21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the [Pharaoh’s] prison [because Potiphar was a member of the royal household]. 

22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatever they did there, he was the doer [overseer] of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

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At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers due to the nature of the accusation made against him. The psalmist says, his “feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in [chains of] iron: until the time that His word came to pass; the word of the LORD tried him." Psalm 105:18-19.  God’s word told Joseph that He had not put him in this situation, as explained clearly to us later in the Bible, and that He would get him out of it as soon as it was possible. He had to believe His word!

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James 1:

12 Blessed is the man [or woman] that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to them that love Him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted [tested], “I am tempted of God”: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: 14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [a strong desire], and enticed.

15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

16 Do not err [on this point], my beloved brethren [get it fixed in your mind].

17 Every GOOD gift and every PERFECT gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning [He doesn’t give good AND bad!]. 

2 Corinthians 1:

20 For all the promises of God in Him are “yea”, and in Him “Amen”, to the glory of God by us. 

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But Joseph's real character shone out, even in the darkness of the dungeon. He held fast his faith and patience.  His years of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid, yet this did not render him upset or distrustful.  He had the peace that comes from conscious innocence, and he trusted his case with God.  (See Daniel 6:22 for another example.)  He did not brood upon his own wrongs, but forgot his sorrow in trying to lighten the sorrows of others. He found a work to do, even in the prison.

The Son of God used his time in the school of affliction to prepare him for greater usefulness, and he did not refuse the needful lesson.  Twenty-seven years old, in prison, witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny and the effects of crime, he learned lessons of justice, sympathy, and mercy that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion when his turn came. 

Joseph quickly gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison, and was finally entrusted with the charge of all the prisoners. It was the part he acted in the prison - the integrity of his daily life and his sympathy for those who were in trouble and distress - that opened the way for his future prosperity and honour. Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings to the giver.  See Matthew 10:42 and 25:34-40.

See you all next week,

RonP

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Note 1:

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Deuteronomy 28:

1 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth: 2 and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall hearken to the voice of the LORD your God. 

3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.

4  Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your kine, and the flocks of your sheep. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your store.

6 Blessed shall you be when you come in [at home], and blessed shall you be when you go out [and abroad]. 7 The LORD shall cause your enemies that rise up against you to be smitten before your face: they shall come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways.  

8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouses, and in all that you set your hand to; and He shall bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 9 The LORD shall establish you a holy people to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in His ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. 

11 And the LORD shall make you plenteous in goods, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The LORD shall open to you His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain to your land in his season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend to many nations, and you shall not borrow.

13 AND THE LORD SHALL MAKE YOU THE HEAD, AND NOT THE TAIL; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you hearken to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them.  Back

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