1. Repeated phrase- The LORD was with Joseph...his master saw the blessing of God...they left everything they had to Joseph
v.2, 3 The LORD was with Joseph... His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.
v.5 the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything that he had...
v.6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care;
v.21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden. 22 The warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care...because the LORD was with him and whatever he was doing the LORD was making successful.
What was in between these 2 cycles of blessings was the unjust punishment by Potiphar and his wife.
(UBSH) It should be noted that the wife has no witnesses, the servants are entirely passive, and Joseph’s side of the story is never brought to light. However, as an African proverb says, “A worm in a court of birds never gets a hearing.”
(NET) he is imprisoned for no good reason, with only his coat being used as evidence.
However, the blessings of the LORD prevailed even with human injustice.
2. In v.8-9, why did Joseph refuse Potiphar's wife? What was the sin in v.9?
v.8 But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care. 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?”
The repeated subject in Joseph's refusal was his master. Potiphar trusted Joseph with the highest extension. Note the terms, "everything, and nothing." Joseph did not mention the reason for Potiphar to trust him with everything was because he saw the benefits of doing so. He was just grateful that Potiphar trusted him to that extend. (1) if Joseph refused because it was a sin of ungrateful or returning a person favor with harm. And, this is a great evil and sin against God. (UBSH) Potiphar’s wife is based on the trust his master has placed in him, and that to do what she commands would be a sin against God.
(2) Joseph stated in clearly that Potiphar withheld his wife from Joseph. "withheld"-BDB withhold, keep back, keep for oneself. "because you are his wife" (UBSH) Joseph’s reason makes clear the seriousness with which he views adultery, and that marriage is under divine protection. Therefore, Joseph refused her because it was a sin of adultery.
3. Summary and reflection
God's blessing with Joseph unchanged. He refused to sin because it was a sin of being ungrateful and it was adultery. Therefore, the evidence of the blessings and presence of God was still very obvious. The warden did the same thing as Potiphar.
Did I deserve to be blessed continuously by God? Be careful of how I handle temptation.
4. Question
1) He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.
2) ?
3) Being grateful and do not sin against God
4) no
5) I tried to explain and let people know I did not do anything wrong.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, Ge 39:2). Thomas Nelson.
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