After a brief interlude in the story of Joseph with the account of Judah and Tamar in Chapter 38, we return to Joseph’s story in Chapter 39.
Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an official in Pharaoh’s government. The following verses note how much Joseph’s success comes from the fact that the Lord is with him.
- Vs. 2 – The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.
- Vs. 3 – His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hands.
- Vs. 5 – From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.
What happened to Joseph fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants.
I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
The patriarchs achieved great things, not through their own power, but through God’s blessing. Similarly, when they were wronged, the curses in the scriptures fell upon those who harmed them. God intervened in their lives, providing both blessings and curses.
Joseph’s prosperity serves as a prime example of this divine intervention; his accomplishments were attributable to God’s blessing, not any inherent personal qualities.
Trouble for Joseph
Potiphar’s wife, drawn to Joseph’s good looks, attempted to seduce him. Joseph, however, maintained his integrity, explaining that he owed loyalty to Potiphar and, more importantly, faithfulness to God.
“How then could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).
Joseph’s story didn’t end with his refusal of the seduction. The story continues:
- Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph, but he consistently refused.
- Joseph avoided being alone with her.
- One day, when they were alone, she grabbed his cloak.
- Joseph fled, leaving his cloak in her hand.
- Potiphar’s wife, feeling rejected, decided to frame Joseph.
- She called her household staff and claimed Joseph had tried to assault her.
- She kept Joseph’s cloak as “proof” of her accusation.
- When Potiphar returned home, she presented her fabricated story, using the cloak as supposed evidence.
- Potiphar, upon hearing his wife’s account, became very angry.
And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; he remained there in prison (Genesis 39:20).
Reflections
Joseph’s story demonstrates that God allows his faithful servants to experience suffering, sometimes for a long duration.
A preacher I know experienced this firsthand. He was forced out of the ministry and repaired televisions, even though he didn’t own one himself. After awaiting God’s timing for a return to service, his ministry was marked by a power far greater than before.
This is a common thread throughout the stories of God’s servants. I believe that God allows periods of brokenness to refine them, leading to complete reliance and obedience.
I have used Joseph’s story of imprisonment many times to bring encouragement to others in difficult circumstances, teaching them to be patient and trust that God is working in their lives.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 