Genesis 39:1-23 NKJV
39 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. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 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. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 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?”
10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. 13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”
16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.”
19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
In his commentary, Martin Luther emphasizes that Joseph’s success is not merely a result of his own diligence but is fundamentally rooted in God’s providential presence: “The Lord was with Joseph.” This truth serves as a powerful reminder that even in our most challenging circumstances, God is actively working for our good.
Joseph’s unwavering commitment to excellence in Potiphar’s house, despite being a slave, highlights a biblical theme: faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities. This calls us to emulate Joseph’s diligence, reminding us that our daily tasks are opportunities to honor God and serve others with integrity, regardless of our circumstances.
The temptation presented by Potiphar’s wife reveals Joseph’s moral strength. He boldly resists her advances, understanding that true righteousness transcends mere fidelity to his master; it is about obedience to God’s moral law. However, Joseph’s story also illustrates the reality of innocent suffering. Falsely accused and imprisoned, Joseph endures unjust punishment, a scenario familiar to many of us. In moments of trial, we can trust that God is shaping our character and preparing us for future blessings.
Luther draws a parallel between Joseph and Christ, noting that both suffered innocently yet remained faithful. Just as Joseph’s trials ultimately led to his exaltation, so too did Christ’s suffering lead to His resurrection. This comparison encourages us to endure our own hardships with hope, knowing that God’s plan unfolds even through our suffering.
Finally, even in prison, Joseph continues to find favor because God’s presence remains with those who trust Him. This teaches us that God can elevate us in the most unexpected places, using our faithfulness to fulfill His purposes. Let us pray: Gracious Father, help us to trust in Your providential care during our trials, knowing that You are always with us. Strengthen us to resist temptation and to serve with diligence and integrity in all we do. May our lives reflect Your faithfulness, and may we find hope in the promise that our suffering is not in vain. Amen.