Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. (Genesis 39:1)
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt:
This indicates a drastic change in Joseph's circumstances, from being a favoured son in Canaan to a slave in Egypt. It fulfils the earlier dreams Joseph had, which foretold his ascendancy over his brothers and even his parents, indicating God's providence and sovereignty in his life (Genesis 37:5-11). Despite the appearance of misfortune, Joseph's journey to Egypt is part of a divine plan that eventually leads to the salvation of his family during a famine (Genesis 45:5-8).
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian:
Potiphar's detailed introduction highlights his high status in Egyptian society and close association with Pharaoh. Being "captain of the guard" suggests he was responsible for the security of the Pharaoh, a position of great trust and authority. The Egyptian name Potiphar, meaning 'devoted to the sun', was linked to their religious beliefs and solar worship.
Bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there:
Despite the injustice done to him, Joseph's sale into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:28) and the Ishmaelites' role in taking him to Egypt were used by God to position Joseph where he needed to be. It's a powerful example of how God can use even the actions meant for evil to bring about His plan for good (Genesis 50:20).
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. (Genesis 39:2)
The Lord was with Joseph - Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)
True Biblical success comes when the presence of God Almighty with us
And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:3)
It's one thing for you to know the Lord is with you and quite another thing for others to recognize that the Lord is with you.
Notice it says, the master saw. This is when the Lord starts manifesting His power and glory through you. The world needs to see a manifestation of the God that you believe in, the God that you preach.
Some of you have gone through losses and failures. You have may the right product, the right strategies, the right words (now it's nothing wrong to have all these) and yet you can fail. the Lord’s presence must be with you.
So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. (Genesis 39:5)
Clearly, the Egyptian was not a Christian. He was a non-believer and yet because Joseph was involved, his house was blessed.
Can the same be said about you? That because of your presence your company was blessed. Just imagine the people of the world come to know about this truth that if they employ a spirit-filled Christian their business will prosper.
I am talking to some businessmen, businesswomen. Do you want to see success and prosperity? Recruit Spirit-filled Christian men and women - they will be faithful to you. You will be blessed.
"And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” (Genesis 39:7)
Some examples of different kinds of eyes mentioned in the Bible:
1. Longing/Lustful eyes:
" And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” (Genesis 39:7)
2. Haughty eyes:
"Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood." (Proverbs 6:17)
3. Evil eyes:
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23)
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21-22)
4. Watchful eyes:
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?" (Psalm 121:1)
5. Blind eyes:
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
6. Discerning eyes:
“The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:14)
7. Seeing eyes:
“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.” (2 Kings 6:17)
There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)
Even in Egypt, Joseph had God on his mind. When you are in the world, in secular work, you need to keep the LORD as your focus. In your business, make sure you do not do wickedness in the eyes of God. The Lord will bless you. The easy way for Joseph was to sleep with that woman but he chose not to.
She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he did not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her. (Genesis 39:10)
To escape an adulterous relationship, Joseph did not only refuse to lie with her, but he also refused to be with her.
Why did Potiphar choose to imprison Joseph instead of killing him?
And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the state prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison. (Genesis 39:20)
Some Bible scholars suggest that there is a subtle hint here that Potiphar did not really believe in his wife’s accusations. He knew that Joseph was innocent and that his wife was making a false accusation.
Also, the anger of Potiphar may have not been directed towards Joseph, but against the wife for manipulating him into a situation where to save face, he had to dismiss the man who made the whole household run well.
I present the following reasons:
1. Scripture clearly tells us that Potiphar trusted Joseph completely.
And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. (Genesis 39:6)
Quite obviously, Potiphar was not a fool to have entrusted all that he had into Joseph’s hand and must have secretly tested Joseph to check on his faithfulness.
2. If Potiphar had really believed his wife’s accusation, he would have not have thrown Joseph into prison but executed him.
I believe it was in order to save face and maintain order in his household, he had Joseph thrown into prison.
I find it interesting that this is the second time that Joseph has been stripped of his garment and the second time the garment is used as evidence for a lie.
Also, Potiphar did not want Joseph’s talents to go to waste and may have expected him to serve some useful purpose even in the prison. Potiphar was apparently in charge of the very prison that Joseph was in, which was apparently on his own property. (Read Genesis 40:3)
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:21)
Some people say that I did good and see where it has landed me. The truth is when you do the right thing, you may not always be appreciated in fact you maybe even criticized for it. Keep doing good for in due time you will reap.
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9 Amplified)
…..because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. (Genesis 39:23)
It's not your personality - it's His Presence
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 39
- Chapter 40
- Chapter 41
- Chapter 42
- Chapter 43
- Chapter 44
- Chapter 45
- Chapter 46
- Chapter 47
- Chapter 48
- Chapter 49
- Chapter 50