GENESIS 39
Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 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. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
– Genesis 39:1-6
GENESIS 39 GOD’S AMAZING GRACE ON JOSEPH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
After the attempted murder by his brothers and being sold into slavery
The Lord God continued to be with Joseph and he served Potiphar
His Egyptian master saw that Joseph was blessed by the Lord
So, he made him overseer of his house and placed him in charge
Because God was with Joseph, everything that he did was blessed
Since Joseph managed his household, Potiphar prospered.
Joseph was envied by his own brothers and was minimized, belittled and mocked by them. Joseph’s story is a perfect example of God’s amazing grace and provision. His life was full of suffering and traumas yet, he never took it personally as a punishment from God. He always knew that it was part of God’s plan. How many of us can think that way? We have a tendency to whine and complain when we get in situations where we are uncomfortable, rejected or minimized. We get angry and retaliate like his brothers did. They plotted to kill and get rid of him because they were uneasy to watch their father’s favorite be given more favor than them. All those hardships and suffering didn’t give Joseph reason to complain. Instead, he acknowledged God’s hand in all that he is going through. Thus, the blessings of the Lord were bountifully poured on him.
REFLECTION
- How did Joseph have that very optimistic viewpoint despite all those abuses?
