Read with Me
Genesis 39:1-6 (HCSB)
Now Joseph had been taken to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he did successful, Joseph found favor in his master’s sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar also put him in charge of his household and placed all that he owned under his authority. From the time that he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph. The Lord’s blessing was on all that he owned, in his house and in his fields. He left all that he owned under Joseph’s authority; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Listen with Me
After the short interlude to talk about Judah’s family line, Moses returns to the history of Joseph, who would play a significant part in God’s plan that He had outlined to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-16).
Joseph was a strong young man, and he would have brought a high price in the slave market regardless of who purchased him from the Ishmaelites. But God providentially moved Potiphar, a high official of Pharaoh’s court, to buy him as his own slave.
It quickly became apparent to Potiphar that Joseph was an intelligent young man, and that he was of good character. He quickly learned the language of Egypt, and he proved adept at every task that was assigned to him. So, it wasn’t long before Potiphar began entrusting several of the important household tasks to Joseph. And soon, he was given charge over the whole household and all the other slaves as well.
Moses was quick to point out that God’s own hand was behind Joseph’s successes and his quick rise to such a high position of authority. He also noted that because Potiphar treated Joseph well, God’s blessing spilled over into his own life, his property, and his personal wealth. It had been axiomatic since the days of Abraham that those who blessed Abraham and his descendants would in turn be blessed by God.
It was rare for a foreign slave to be promoted to the position of personal assistant to such a high-ranking person as Potiphar. But God had great plans in store for Joseph, and this was all part of what he was doing.
Pray with Me
Father, this points out something that we are quick to forget: You have a plan that You are constantly working behind the scenes to accomplish. Since we are forced so often to be reactive instead of proactive, falling victim to circumstances and then having to figure out how to deal with them, I think that many of us figure that You are the same. But You are never forced to be reactive. You exist outside space and time, so You are never surprised by what happens. You are also all-powerful and are able to move the minds and hearts of people in the way that they need to go order for the next step in Your plan to be achieved. Lord, help me to never fight against Your plan, to never try to impose my own plan onto You. That way lies defeat, and ultimately, destruction. Amen.