(1) We can't stop to notice that all 3 patriarchs were noted for the presence of the LORD or the blessings of the LORD.
Abimelech said to Isaac in 26:28 They replied, “We could plainly see that the LORD is with you..."
Laban told Jacob in 30:27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, please stay here, for I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me on account of you.”
Potiphar saw the same thing in Joseph 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. 39:3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.
However, all their lives were not smooth sailings, especially Joseph.
(2) What kind of master was Potiphar
39:1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
Not only he was an official of the most powerful kingdom on earth at that time, he was the captain of the guard. When Joseph was accused by Potiphar he was immediately thrown into the highest security prison.
39:20 Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. So he was there in the prison.
(3) Facing such a tough boss Joseph thrived. The fact that Joseph was in charge of everything was repeatedly mentioned in v.4, 5a, 5b, 6, 8, and 9. In v.9. Remember, Joseph was just 17 years old and he is in charge of a big household.
He was dumped by his brothers in the pit. Then he was the slave of a person with potential great threat to Joseph. He was walking on a tightrope. Joseph knew that even he was thriving he needed to be careful. The only way he was thriving was because of the LORD. Therefore when Joseph refused the wife of Potiphar he did not say he could not sin against Potiphar, he said he could not sin against the LORD.
39:9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
Having adultery with her was not just a sin against the master, but a sin against God who had blessed him all these time.
Reflection:
1. Do people see the presence of the LORD in you? Can they see the blessings are from God (not due to yourself)?
2. You did it even though the environment was not favorable. From that you knew very sure that it was God who had helped you. How could we sin against God now?
I experienced God when I recovered from my coughing last year. If God did not help me I would not get recovered. I saw so many doctors and had many more problems after that. God helped me with amazing plans through brothers and sisters. How could I sin against God after that? (Unfortunately, I still do).
Audrey
Abimelech said to Isaac in 26:28 They replied, “We could plainly see that the LORD is with you..."
Laban told Jacob in 30:27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, please stay here, for I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me on account of you.”
Potiphar saw the same thing in Joseph 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. 39:3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.
However, all their lives were not smooth sailings, especially Joseph.
(2) What kind of master was Potiphar
39:1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
Not only he was an official of the most powerful kingdom on earth at that time, he was the captain of the guard. When Joseph was accused by Potiphar he was immediately thrown into the highest security prison.
39:20 Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. So he was there in the prison.
(3) Facing such a tough boss Joseph thrived. The fact that Joseph was in charge of everything was repeatedly mentioned in v.4, 5a, 5b, 6, 8, and 9. In v.9. Remember, Joseph was just 17 years old and he is in charge of a big household.
He was dumped by his brothers in the pit. Then he was the slave of a person with potential great threat to Joseph. He was walking on a tightrope. Joseph knew that even he was thriving he needed to be careful. The only way he was thriving was because of the LORD. Therefore when Joseph refused the wife of Potiphar he did not say he could not sin against Potiphar, he said he could not sin against the LORD.
39:9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
Having adultery with her was not just a sin against the master, but a sin against God who had blessed him all these time.
Reflection:
1. Do people see the presence of the LORD in you? Can they see the blessings are from God (not due to yourself)?
2. You did it even though the environment was not favorable. From that you knew very sure that it was God who had helped you. How could we sin against God now?
I experienced God when I recovered from my coughing last year. If God did not help me I would not get recovered. I saw so many doctors and had many more problems after that. God helped me with amazing plans through brothers and sisters. How could I sin against God after that? (Unfortunately, I still do).
Audrey
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