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GENESIS 39
Joseph’s fall to greatness by God’s grace -- (DATE: From 1681 to 1673 before Christ)
DISCOVER Genesis 39: Even though Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers, the LORD, the God of his fathers, was with him. The Egyptian Potiphar, who had bought him off the Ishmaelites noticed this divine favor under which Joseph was and learned that if he left his belongings to be governed by him, he too would prosper. So the officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard left everything in his household to Joseph and made him the overseer of everything he owned, thus allowing God’s blessing over his chosen to fall onto him as well. -- While in service to Potiphar, Joseph grew to be handsome in form and appearance, much like his mother had been. This caught the lusting eye of Potiphar’s wife, who sooner rather than later began to demand of him to lie with her. Seeing that he had the complete trust of his master, Joseph refused, for Potiphar had given him authority over everything, and he himself even deferred to Joseph’s suggestions. Only his wife Potiphar had held back from him. So how could Joseph do this great wickedness she demanded of him, and sin against God? However, she would not take his “No” for an answer and asked him again and again to no avail. One day, when Joseph was the only male in the house, she grabbed his clothes and tried to force him, but Joseph chose to rather lose his garments and flee than be dragged into sin. But with the garment before her the woman now had an instrument in her hand to get back at the Hebrew slave who had dared to spurn her. Thus she began to spread the lie that he had come to her to rape and belittle her, showing his clothes as proof for her story. In this way she first convinced the other servants in the house and later her husband. -- Hearing the tale of his wife, Potiphar was enraged by such a betrayal and immediately utilized his authority as guard captain to have Joseph captured and thrown into a special prison, where those whom Pharaoh personally wanted imprisoned were confined. -- But even here the LORD, the God of his fathers, was with Joseph and showed him his steadfast love. Thus he found favor with the keeper of the prisoners there, who gave all authority over the prison to him, so that nothing happened in this prison that had not been ordered by Joseph himself.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are with the lowly and downtrodden to comfort them in their misery. You did not allow Joseph to be tortured and killed as an insignificant slave and later as a prisoner. Rather you were with him and blessed him for the sake of your promises to his fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thank you for allowing the work of his hand to flourish, bringing blessings even upon those, whom Joseph served. We marvel at the power of your blessing, which also reaches those, who do not deserve it. And thank you that Joseph withstood the temptation to immorality. Help us to follow his example and remain pure in our sexual conduct for your name’s sake. Amen.
QUESTION 39: What was the secret of Joseph’s success as a slave and later as a prisoner in Egypt?