(This is part of a series profiling the life of Joseph as conveyed in the book of Genesis. You can catch up on the rest of the series by clicking here. The following reflections cover Genesis 39:1-20)
In an effort to offer glib words about life we’re often told that it has its “ups and downs”. If anyone can relate to that term, Joseph certainly can. He’s 17 years old and has enjoyed the up of being his Dad’s favourite and the glamour garments that come with that. He’s also had the up of having dreams that gave him the impression that he was destined to rule over his family.
Yet, Genesis 39 kicks off with a reminder that previously in the recollection of the life of Joseph, he had suffered two real downers. First, his brothers dumped him in a pit and then after a while, they sold him into slavery. He’s now located in Egypt and is in the employ of Potiphar.
Favour Flows
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.
Genesis 39:2-4
This is one of those parts of scripture that never fails to intrigue me. That phrase “The Lord was with Joseph” – that, in itself, is something to contemplate and meditate on. The evidence of it was clear to see even from the eyes of someone who didn’t know God. It was evident based on the results. There was something about what was produced that made it abundantly evident that here was someone who was not just a hard worker. Here was someone who clearly had favour on his side.
That is not to suggest, however, that Joseph played no part in this. It’s fascinating to review how he knew how favoured his father was when it came to being blessed by his grandfather. There is also the success that his father had in working for Laban and how that increased what he left with from how he entered. Indeed, Joseph comes from a lineage of industrious types who tend to prosper in what they do as reflected in the results, as an expression of the blessing of God on their lives.
In that sense, there is little wonder that Joseph should turn out to be so well attuned to the hard work that produces. It is not, however, the heritage and the lessons that make the difference. It’s the presence of God, the application of work and the success it derives for his master.
Dealing with Temptation
Joseph is in a great position. The favour of God on his life has brought about great things so that from literally the pits he now oversees the affairs of the chief military officer of Egypt. It’s a lovely position to be in. And with lovely positions come temptations …
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”
Exodus 39:6-7
The writer does not beat around the bush in highlighting what attracts him to his master’s wife. The temptation is evident for Joseph – everything his master has is under his control and now even his master’s wife is looking for some action. Here she is throwing herself at him. He can get some. It’s a very alluring proposition.
It appeals to the flesh in terms of the sexual element. There’s also the sense in which it also appeals to the pride of life in terms of having one up on his master. The ultimate power play – who really masters the master’s wife? It’s not his fault if he’s so handsome. He can’t help being a resounding success in the household and being pivotal to the success of the household. Now he has this opportunity to enjoy himself with this woman who is clearly attracted to him. Why not play up to that? Why not enjoy himself a little? What could be so wrong with that?
How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?
Exodus 39:9
Joseph behaves with integrity because he recognises how he has found himself in this favoured position. Joseph acknowledges the kindness shown by his master. Joseph also acknowledges how his position is based on God. It establishes how his character is dependent on a right relationship with the God of his fathers. That kind of commitment means that he is not dependent on the culture of other prevailing factors. His compass is set.
Falsehood Thrives: From the Pit to the Prison
One minute he’s the overseer of an influential officer of Pharaoh’s court, the next minute he’s thrown into prison. Just as a garment would be used when his brothers ditched him, so his garment would be used to implicate him in false allegations against which he had no right to appeal or justice. All because of the fury of a woman scorned.
Resisted and rejected time after time, this master’s wife ensured that if she wasn’t going to have this handsome young man, then no one would. The stitch-up was set and watertight. No witnesses, here she is the wife of the master and here’s this young, handsome stranger who was brought into the household. He rises through the ranks and now he wants to have his way with the master’s wife. She is the victim in all this and she has the garment to prove it.
It does not matter how upright a life you live, there is always someone there to look to bring you down a peg or two and use every manner of tactic against you.
Look at the scandal that is now attached to Joseph. Look at the shame and the stigma he now carries with him as a nasty young foreigner just coming to take advantage of any kindness shown to him. On that rollercoaster ride of life that he’s experienced, this plunges him into another depth. This one could be considered even deeper than the pit he was dumped into by his brothers. As long as they were in the picture at least there was hope. Now, in a foreign land and having worked so hard to reach a level of as much respectability as he might have hoped to gain – all of that shredded to pieces because of the wickedness that he refused to take part in. Whereas his behaviour to his brothers might have been somewhat questionable, at this point of his character development, it’s no longer about that. It’s about how to maintain integrity when your world comes tumbling down again. How that happens will be the basis for a stunning turn of fortunes …
Joseph, Jesus and Us – Same and Different
Joseph had the favour of God that also put him in the position to gain the favour of man. This was a precursor to how Jesus was known as one who grew in wisdom and favour with both God and man. There is this element that those who walk with God and have God walking with them glow with the favour that comes with that. Grounded in God and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, fruit emerges from that. Light emits from that. This light draws people to observe and give credit to God. This fruit reflects the fact that it can only be God who has brought this about, not just our own efforts or abilities.
Jesus throughout His time on earth faced many temptations and efforts to distract Him from the purpose and course that was set for Him by His Father. It was the relationship with His Father that determined His course. It was His commitment to integrity that angered some and frustrated others. It was His dependence on what pleased His Father that led to Him overcoming temptation. It is not a matter of our will, determination or mental fortitude that makes the difference, it is our relationship with God.
Questions from Joseph: Favour and Falsehood
- Is Joseph doing what is right in sharing his dreams with his brothers and then his Dad as well?
- What does this time in Joseph’s life tell us about how God communicates?
- Why is the response of Jacob to the dream significant? What can we learn from it?
- Brotherly love is a crucial theme of Christian living – why is it so challenging?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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