Read: Genesis 39
The focus of
Genesis now returns to Joseph as we find that the Lord was with him and he
became successful (v. 2). His master Potiphar
knew that it was because of God that Joseph was successful (v. 3) so Joseph
became overseer of his entire household (v. 4) and was put in charge of all
that he had. During this time the Lord
blessed Potiphar’s house for Joseph’s sake (v. 5) and he had no concern about
anything but the food he ate (v. 6). God
never spoke directly to Joseph the way that he did to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
but we can see God’s providential care of Joseph in spite of having been sold
into slavery. Joseph prospered due to
God’s presence with him. Joseph was
handsome and Potiphar’s wife was drawn to him (v. 7) indicating her desire to
lie with him. But Joseph refused,
knowing that this would be a great sin against his master and God (v. 9). She would not relent so he continued to
refuse her and refused to even be with her (v. 10). One day, as Joseph was going about his work,
Potiphar’s wife grabbed his garment and he was unable to free himself. Joseph fled, leaving his garment in her
hand. Once again we see that a garment
of Joseph was used to deceive someone (remember the coat of many colours which
his brothers stained with blood?) She told
a bold faced lie, convincing the men of her household that Joseph had seduced
her and fled when she cried out (v. 14-15).
Then she waited until her husband came home and then told him the whole
deceitful story (v. 17-18). Scripture is
clear that Joseph was completely innocent!
The master got angry and put Joseph in prison (v. 20) but the Lord was
with Joseph (v. 21) and the prison warden showed favor to Joseph. Once again Joseph was put in charge and given
responsibilities (v. 23) because of God!
Prayer and Journaling
1. Joseph’s
purity in the midst of Potiphar’s wife’s sexual advances is exemplary. Joseph chose moral purity! Pray for the youth
of today to choose the path of moral purity.
Pray for an increase in purity in the church. Pray that Christians today would experience
the freedom that comes from living according to God’s laws. Pray that you and your family would model
purity in all areas of your life.
2. Joseph’s
imprisonment may seem like a problem!
Remember his dream – his brothers were to bow to him: how would this
ever be accomplished now that he was in prison?
Yet this captivity was part of God’s plan to move Joseph to the position
He has planned for him. We can’t assume
we know God’s ways; we must trust Him and be prayerful about our life’s
circumstances. Is a tough circumstance
that you are facing God’s way of preparing you for the purpose He has for your
life? Think about the tough times that
you are facing – can you give thanks to God for them? Do you really believe that God can use any
circumstance for His glory? Are you
letting Him mold your character through the tough times? Ask Him about these things; pray about what
He shows you.
3. Joseph
fled sexual immorality and did not stand up and fight against Potiphar’s
wife. To know when to fight and when to
flee are of great importance in the Christian life. Sometimes we are to actively resist and
sometimes we are to escape. We must seek
the Lord to know when to do what. Pray
for the church to grow in wisdom in knowing when to flee and when to
fight. Pray for a spirit of
prayerfulness and listening to Jesus when you have interpersonal conflicts in
your life. Pray that God would show you
what He requires of you in each circumstance.
