“And the Lord was with Joseph…”

Because the next passage of scripture (Genesis 39) is lengthy, regarding Joseph now sold as a slave in Egypt, I think it might be best to break up the passage and discuss it in sections.

"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 thither. " (Genesis 39:1)

So, Potiphar, an officer and captain of the guard, purchases Joseph as a household slave or servant. There are a couple of things we should know about this. The first is that the word "officer" is "cariyc" in Hebrew and can actually be translated as either "eunuch" (a man who has been castrated) or "officer." And it is apparently difficult to determine which usage should be applied in the various places that it occurs in scripture. Here, it is obvious that Potiphar has not been castrated as he has a wife. I mention it just to alert you to that fact because further along we will see that another Israelite by the name of Daniel also has this term applied to him which has been translated as "eunuch," but it is possible that it should also have been translated "officer" instead. The other thing to note is that Potiphar has the title of "captain of the guard." Now, "the guard" is the group of men whose job is to "guard" … the question is what were they guarding? Are they soldiers guarding the city or state, prison officials guarding prisoners, or bodyguards for the Pharaoh and those whom he wanted guarded? We aren't told exactly, but as we will see that Potiphar's house is attached to the prison, my vote is that they are prisons guards watching the Pharaoh's prisoners, political or otherwise, I suppose. That would make Potiphar the "warden."

"And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace 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. 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. 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. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." (Genesis 39:2-6)

It is interesting that scripture calls Joseph a "prosperous man" when we are told he has been sold into slavery. What is more interesting is that the more prosperous Joseph becomes, as a slave, the more Potiphar begins to trust his wisdom; and the more of his household Potiphar turns over to Joseph's care, the more Potiphar is blessed as a result. Potiphar trusts Joseph so much that he never even bothers to check up on things; so much so, in fact, that Potiphar arrives at a point where he no longer even knows what he owns anymore! And he isn't concerned…because Joseph has everything under control.

But Joseph is also a model to us of godliness. Joseph can't be happy that he is a slave…of course not! But we haven't heard one word of complaint from him. Perhaps he trusts God's sovereignty more than we sometimes do. Regardless of what his feelings are, he serves to his utmost and in doing so, he glorifies God; for Potiphar sees that it is GOD who blesses Joseph. That's pretty amazing for an Egyptian, I would think. I also think that Joseph becomes "well favoured" because he doesn't complain, he doesn't act like the typical down-in-the-mouth slave; instead he becomes a model trustworthy servant, and I imagine he is cheerful as well!

"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:7-9)

Bad things happen to good people. It's a fact! And it's about to happen once more to Joseph! But what can he do to prevent it? Nothing honorable. Can he tell his master that his wife is messing around, or trying to? No. Not even if he ends up in prison. And he won't sin with the wife because it would be against God; a fact that Joseph clearly recognizes…there is no deception going on here. The devil has to have an open door into our heart (which can only come from our own lusts) in order to tempt us beyond what we can stand…such is not the case with Joseph who has been obedient to God in every way that we have been allowed to see.

"And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 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. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie now with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 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. And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled." (Genesis 39:10-19)

Joseph is wrongfully accused, but like Jesus, we don't see him giving one word in his defense, for to do so would dishonor his master, Potiphar. Perhaps he is not given opportunity, but I think even if he had been given opportunity, he would not defend himself by ratting on another. Just doesn't seem like something a righteous man would do.

"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. But he LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 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." (Genesis 39:20-23)

Psalm 105:17-22 tells us that Joseph was bound for a time in this prison, in fetters of iron that caused him pain; yet we still hear no complaints. And if we skip forward to Genesis 41:14 we will learn that the prison is a dungeon. But it is apparently a short period of time before the keeper of the prison (can't quite tell if this is Potiphar or not…perhaps not) sees something in Joseph that causes him to have mercy on Joseph, whose chains must then be removed in order for Joseph to do "whatsoever they did there" as Joseph was "the doer of it." And such a fine "doer of it" that once more the man who puts Joseph in charge, feels no need to even check up on Joseph. We are beginning to get an amazingly clear picture of the attentiveness and care that Joseph exercised in his duties no matter how small; and because of which he is obviously entrusted with even bigger responsibilities. Perhaps it is that diligence with which he works that displays so clearly for his masters that God is with him. Certainly, no matter what duty Joseph is given, he is blessed in such a way that all can see the blessing. That type of blessing must have been very uncommon if Egyptians are able to assign the cause of it to God.

Spend just a moment, if you can, trying to picture what being that type of employee really looks like (whether free, slave or prisoner). And then reflect upon whether or not you are demonstrating God to your masters (employers) by the manner in which you carry out your duties. I think many of us might fall short if we are honest about it, if for no other reason than our complaining…about the work, the hours, the other employees, etc., etc.

Oh, to be like Joseph!