Genesis 39:1–23

The last verse of chapter 37 and the first verse of chapter 39 belong together. The story of Judah comes in between, a complete twenty years on its own. "At that time" only marks the general period, and the whole story is given in one piece. Scripture does this very often. Joseph is a remarkable picture of Christ; Judah is the ancestor Christ came from as a man.

What a change for him! He had been first and dearest in his father's love. Then his own brothers attacked him and wanted him dead, and now he is a slave in Egypt! Had the messages God gave him in his dreams made him independent of everything that came from man, whether love or hatred, and dependent only on God? If they had, he needed that now. And that, without doubt, was the value of the discipline he was going through.

Strange that he had dreamed of future greatness, and here he was, brought low, sold twice over for a few pieces of silver, and held as a slave in a foreign land.

The man who bought him was Potiphar, the captain of the guard. So this put Joseph in a place of real danger on the one hand, but close to Pharaoh on the other. Things began to work together for his final good, though that was in no way clear at the time.

Notice how far the trial of Joseph went. God's ordering kept it within limits, so that nothing in it could hinder His purpose. The trial was meant to frustrate that purpose, and it seemed to be completely against it. Yet that trial, and his righteous suffering in Egypt, brought about the very thing they seemed to stop. The Egypt his brothers sold him into, and the prison Potiphar put him in, led him to the butler and the baker — and that set him as governor over all the land of Egypt. We cannot put God out of His way. It is better to trust Him.

Every trial he passes through is only one more stage in the path that leads to glory. So is the way his brothers treated him, the slavery in the Egyptian's house, the false accusations of Potiphar's wife, Pharaoh's prison, and the neglect of Pharaoh's butler. His work as a shepherd, his errand to his brothers, and his service in Potiphar's house and in Pharaoh's prison are preparing him to use power in the day of his glory. The service in the trials prepares him for the right use of glory.

While Reuben was away, Judah took the lead in pulling him out and selling him to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to an Egyptian master. What a foreshadowing of Christ, who suffered first from a faithless Judah, and then from the nations outside Israel as well! God's own history tells the future as truly in the pictures given in the law as in the heartfelt cries of the Psalms, or in the prophets who speak more directly.

Here is the explanation of all that happened: "The Lord was with Joseph." That being so, all he did prospered. Even what looked like disaster proved to be only a stepping-stone to something much better. Potiphar did not know the explanation of it, but he found he had made a first-rate bargain when he bought the young Semitic lad. The boy showed such skilful powers, together with God-fearing uprightness and integrity.

The Egyptian never expected the treasure that one small purchase brought into his house. But the explanation is not hard to find, and it makes everything clear. "Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man." Never before was the word so emphatic. This does not mean Jehovah had been absent before, at home or abroad. Jehovah was with him when he gained his father's confidence and love. Jehovah was with him when by his faithfulness he earned the envy and hatred of his brothers. But now the words carry marked force: he is a slave in a strange land. But Jehovah was with him all the more because the need was greater.

The submissive man will always be a prosperous man. Nature would say that slavery and prosperity can never go together. But if we submit to His ways, the presence of the Lord can turn days of hardship into days of prosperity. The whole world would admit that Joseph was a prosperous man in the day of his exaltation. But faith sees, and God declares, that he was a prosperous man in the day of his humiliation. He will, in due time, ride prosperously as the ruler of Egypt, but first he must live prosperously as the slave of an Egyptian. The prosperity of the prison must come before the prosperity of the palace.

Joseph was sold in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's bodyguard. But the Lord was with him (v. 2). He had suffered injustice, and had lost every connection with relatives and friends. The Lord delights to encourage the lonely and deprived. The result was that he was faithful and dependable in his work, prospering in it, though he was a slave.

His testimony was the testimony of his life, not his lips. What struck Potiphar was what he saw, not what he heard. If Joseph had spent his time complaining about his hard lot, or talking up his high destiny, he would have been no witness for the Lord in Potiphar's house. The Egyptian cared nothing about Joseph's past. Even if someone had explained his future to him, he would have understood none of it. But Potiphar could see and value his daily life of wholehearted attention to his duties. A Christian servant who lives a quiet, consistent, uncomplaining life and carries out his daily duties is a true witness for the Lord. That is something an unconverted master can value.

But Jehovah was with Joseph in the prison, just as much as in Potiphar's house. Verse 2 says He was with Joseph. Verse 21 says He was with Joseph, "and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." It mattered little where he was, since Jehovah was with him. What a difference it makes when God is with us — and God in that special, known relationship, which the name "Jehovah" carries here as everywhere.

We are given the explanation of all that happened — "The Lord was with Joseph." Because that was true, everything he did prospered. Even what looked like disaster turned out to be only a stepping-stone to something much better. Verses 3 and 4 make us notice the striking way Joseph's "hand" is spoken of in the story. Because the Lord was with him, He "caused all that he did to succeed in his hands." So Joseph found favour with his master, who put all that he had into Joseph's hand. This was only natural. Potiphar did not know the reason for it, but he found he had made a first-rate bargain when he bought the young Semitic boy. Here was a slave with real skill, joined to honesty and uprightness that came from the fear of God.

His witness was the witness of his life, not of his lips. Potiphar was struck by what he "saw", not by what he heard... If Joseph had always complained about his hard lot, or talked up the great future ahead of him, he would have been no witness for the Lord in Potiphar's house. The Egyptian cared nothing about his past, and even if Joseph had spelled out his future, the Egyptian would have understood nothing of it. But Joseph's daily life of wholehearted attention to his work was something Potiphar could see and value... To see a Christian servant living a quiet, steady, uncomplaining life, faithfully doing his daily work, is a true witness for the Lord, and something a master who is not a believer can appreciate.

In the Egyptian's house he saw a new field of duty. He looked to Jehovah, so that by serving Him he might serve his master best... He had been saved from a cruel death that seemed about to fall on him. So he bowed under God's hand, and set himself to do carefully and honestly whatever lay before him each day, to please the Master above. That is why he prospered and became master of the situation. Potiphar had never had such a slave, and neither had anyone else. There was no self-seeking in him, and no working only while the master watched... A force for good was at work here, with clear results of blessing, and even the sharp eye of a man who did not know God could not miss them.

But Jehovah was with Joseph in the prison, just as much as in Potiphar's house. Verse 2 says He was with Joseph. Verse 21 says He was with Joseph, "and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison"... It mattered little where he was, since Jehovah was with him. What a difference it makes when God is with us — and God in that special, known relationship, which the name "Jehovah" carries here as everywhere.

Divine blessing marked Joseph's whole career. Yet notice that Scripture mentions it here, when he was a slave and unknown — and mentions it not once but three times. With the Lord Jesus it was during His lowly service in this narrow world that His mission and work looked like failure. It was just then that He had to say, in the words of the prophet, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God" (Isa. 49:4). But Jehovah had just said, "You are My servant... in whom I will be glorified."

The Lord was not only with Joseph, but He was for Joseph, disposing the heart of the master in favour of His servant.

In the Egyptian's house he saw a new field of duty. He looked to Jehovah, so that by serving Him he might best serve his master… Potiphar had never had such a slave, and neither had anyone else. Joseph never sought himself, and he never worked only to be seen. He put not just his heart into his work, but his faith. That gave his work a new character and power, and a shrewd master who had met plenty of human dishonesty and incompetence valued it all the more.

Verses 3 and 4 lead us to notice the striking way the story mentions Joseph's "hand." Because the Lord was with him, He "made all that he did to prosper in his hand." So Joseph found favour with his master, and "all that he had he put into his hand." No wonder. Potiphar did not know the reason for it, but he found he had made a first-rate bargain when he bought the young Semitic boy. Joseph showed real skill along with God-fearing honesty and integrity.

The wording of that blessing is striking, given the way Joseph's hands keep appearing in his story. Here the secret source of Joseph's skill comes to light. Upon the hands of Joseph rested the hands of the mighty God.

If Joseph had spent his time complaining about his hard lot, or talking up his great future, he would have been no witness for the Lord in Potiphar's house. The Egyptian cared nothing about Joseph's past. Even if someone had set his future before him, he would have understood none of it. But Potiphar could see and value Joseph's daily life of wholehearted attention to his duties. It is no different today… A Christian servant who lives a quiet, steady, uncomplaining life and does his daily duties faithfully is a true witness for the Lord, and his master can value that even without sharing his faith.

Potiphar gives Joseph the highest place in his household, and at once Potiphar is blessed. A little later the jailer makes Joseph supreme in the prison, and blessing follows. So in the day of his universal rule, all submit to him and all are blessed… As far as we yield ourselves, our lives and our all to the supremacy of Christ, we too shall be blessed.

To know that you stand in the unclouded favour of God is a privilege beyond words. Next to it, the favour of rulers on earth is weak and changeable, though men of the world fight hard for it. Joseph "found grace" in Potiphar's sight, and he soon lost it through no fault of his own (Gen. 39:4).

Here was blessing plainly seen in his servitude, and his master's trust at last without limit. "And he left all that was his in Joseph's hand, and took notice of nothing with him except the bread which he ate." Corruption was in that house, and it soon came out in a shameless way. But until then "the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake."

In the Egyptian's house he saw a new sphere of duty, and he looked to Jehovah so that he might serve Him and so best serve his master. Potiphar had never had such a slave: in him there was no self-seeking and no working only when watched… Because he was faithful in the least, his master promoted him to greater tasks and much more honourable ones. "And he set him over his house, and all that was his he put into his hand." This was no small sphere of service. It involved running an immense establishment… All of it was new to him, and he had come there so recently and so strangely. Even so, "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."

He enjoyed more than this ease of mind about the running of his household. Extraordinary good fortune marked all his affairs, both "in the house and in the field." As a result Potiphar left everything "in Joseph's hand."

Notice that the Lord was ready to save all of Lot's household. The angels said to him: "Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place." Those sons-in-law were probably Sodomites. Yet for Lot's sake the Lord would have saved them, if they had been willing to be saved. (Gen. 19). Potiphar's whole house was blessed for Joseph's sake. And Joseph was his slave.

So Joseph became a source of blessing in the house of the Gentile (v. 5). The Christian is not only called to blessing but, as he passes along his way, to be a blessing.

In Joseph's case it is stressed that he was what he was by the blessing of Jehovah (Gen. 39:3 and 5), and if the blessing of Jehovah was on Potiphar's house it was "for Joseph's sake." So too with the Lord Jesus. He "went about doing good… for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). The blessing of the Lord was shown among men as never before: healing, deliverance from every kind of evil, and spiritual life came to them. But it was "for Jesus' sake." Divine blessing marked Joseph's whole career. Yet Scripture mentions it at this point, when he was in servitude and obscurity — and not once only, but three times.

With Joseph in it, the house of the Egyptian is blessed by God; but with Christ ministering in it, how beyond words the world was blessed! All the power was there, and showing itself. It could have turned — and will yet turn — the need of man, however great and varied, into an occasion for displaying the wealth of divine loving-mercy. But it did not turn man's heart to God.

Here it was clear blessing in his slavery, and his master's trust in the end without limit. Corruption was in that house, as it came out soon in a shameless form; but until then "the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake."

The wording of Genesis 49:24 stands out when you see how often the story mentions Joseph's hands — see Genesis 39:3-4, 6, 22; Genesis 41:42. Here we see the secret spring of Joseph's skill. Upon the hands of Joseph rested the hands of the mighty God.

Viewing Joseph as a type of Christ, it is important to remember that it was God's purpose to set Joseph in the place of supremacy, and so everyone who submits to his supremacy is blessed. Potiphar gives Joseph a place of supremacy in his household, and immediately Potiphar is blessed. A little later the jailer makes Joseph supreme in the prison and blessing follows... The supremacy of Christ demands the submission of man, and the submission of man leads to the blessing of man — though while He is rejected, that blessing is spiritual rather than material.

His testimony was the testimony of his life rather than his lips. Potiphar was impressed by what he "saw" rather than by what he heard... Had Joseph been forever complaining of his hard lot, or going on about his high destiny, he would have been no witness for the Lord in Potiphar's house. The Egyptian cared nothing about Joseph's past. Even if someone had set his future before him, he would have understood none of it. But Potiphar could see and value his daily life of wholehearted attention to his duties.

So we have seen that in the house of the Gentile Joseph was a submissive man, a prosperous man, a witness for the Lord, a respected and trusted man, and a centre of blessing. Such qualities make up a very complete life. So we are not surprised to read that Joseph was "handsome in form and appearance." This Old Testament saint shows us a life that is beautiful before God and man.

There is another kind of beauty that can go with outward beauty in men of faith. God values it as the reflection of character: the beauty of a pure soul or of simple faith, the shining out of a heart that shuts out evil and sin... This is the beauty of Joseph, "handsome in form and appearance," yet set apart among his brothers.

The winter is seldom without some gleam of sunshine... Before the harshest part of the discipline reaches us, we are often cheered by an unexpected relief. So Joseph is a prosperous man in the captain's house. But he is soon driven from it. The adversary of souls sets a trap for him, and he has the integrity and dignity to run from it... Evil association too often goes along with prosperity. But for the God-fearing soul, prosperity in evil association cannot last.

We should not expect the devil to leave alone a life that is beautiful in the sight of God and man. Devotion to the Lord exposes Joseph to the hatred of the devil. The devil failed completely to overcome Joseph by the frowns of the world and the trials of hard circumstances. So he changes his tactics and tries to overcome Joseph by the pleasures of sin. In Potiphar's wife he has a ready tool to tempt Joseph, and the circumstances favour her evil plans.

Joseph is a prosperous man in the captain's house. But he is soon driven out of it. The enemy of souls prepares a snare for him, and Joseph has the integrity and dignity to flee from it. The snare only appealed to what was corrupt in his nature. It offered no relief from his condition as a slave. We may see Potiphar's wife as a picture of the world; she stands for its attractions. When she fails to attract this prosperous servant of God, she becomes his fiercest and most ruthless enemy. Evil company too often comes with prosperity. But for a God-fearing soul, prosperity held with evil company cannot last.

Many critics claim "that Joseph could never have seen his master's wife, for the women were secluded and had separate apartments." But monuments and Egyptian paintings show that the women were not shut away. They mixed freely with the men. In the hieroglyphics the word for woman is neb-t-en pa, which means "mistress of the house." Someone also found an ancient papyrus containing "the romance of the two brothers." It has an episode much like the one in our chapter. It fully confirms that the temptation of Joseph is not a myth.

How good it is to notice that Joseph, faced with the most terrible temptation, resists and escapes. What is the secret of his being kept? He says, "How can I sin against God?" His eye is upon God. He lives before God. Happy man! Before God he knows what is right and wrong. He knows that every sin, whether "against his own body" or not, is a sin against God.

His way for us is always one that makes us realize our weakness. Our prayer can never be, "Lead us into temptation," and so we are never to act as if this were our prayer. In every case where escape is possible without disloyalty, we are to flee rather than face it. "Flee youthful passions." "Abstain from the passions of the flesh." Flee, as Joseph fled; and perhaps no man was bolder.

Here we see the holy young man resisting the tempter. He endures grief and suffers though he has done nothing wrong. And this is grace in the day of trial. For what glory is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you take it patiently? But if when you do good and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is grace with God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow His steps. Joseph could be no real picture of the atonement. But of Christ suffering unjustly and in grace he was a blessed foreshadow.

Potiphar's wife was Satan's tool in this wicked attack. She tried many times to seduce Joseph into adultery with her (vv. 7-14), but he refused every time. He told her that his master had trusted him with great responsibility in his house. He was not going to prove false to that trust by violating the marriage between his master and his wife.

In the Egyptian's house he saw a new field of duty. He looked to Jehovah, so that by serving Him he might best serve his master… He had been saved from a cruel death that seemed very near. So he humbled himself under God's hand, and set himself to do carefully and honestly whatever lay before him each day, to please the Master above. That is why he prospered and became master of the situation. Potiphar had never had such a slave, and neither had anyone else. There was no self-seeking in him, and no work done only when the master was watching.

Devotion to the Lord exposes Joseph to the hatred of the devil. The devil has completely failed to overcome Joseph by the world's frowns and by hard circumstances. So he changes his tactics and tries to overcome Joseph by the pleasures of sin… Joseph escapes the trap by holding to his faithfulness to his master and his fear of God… Here is the secret of Joseph's steady life before his master. He served faithfully in front of people because he walked always in the presence of God. And because he walked in the fear of God, he was kept safe in the hour of temptation.

Then came a time of fierce and long testing… Here the testing met him day after day. Nothing kept him safe but his fear of God and his recognition of the great wickedness of what she offered him. Whether young or old, as we pass through this defiling world, we do well to keep this question always in our hearts: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" If he had given in, he would have sinned against the woman, against Potiphar and against himself. But the thought that controlled and saved him was "against God."

The blessed Book is full of passages that show, in every possible way, how immensely important the fear of God is… The man who walks day by day in the fear of God is kept from every form of moral corruption. A living sense of God's presence must be a real shelter from every temptation. How often we find that the presence of a very holy and spiritual person acts as a healthy check on silliness and folly! If another human being has that much moral influence, how much more powerful would the felt presence of God be!

The temptation came "day by day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent, until Joseph "flees" from the temptation and the devil is beaten. Having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who once looked at Joseph with evil desire now lies about him. As one writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is no new thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst crimes by people who are themselves the worst of criminals." So Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience can cost a lot.

She tried many times to get Joseph to commit adultery with her (vv. 7-14). He refused every time. He told her that his master had trusted him with great responsibility in his house. He was not going to betray that trust by breaking the marriage between his master and his wife. Doing that, he tells her, would be great wickedness and a sin against the Lord.

Young or old, as we pass through this world that stains us, we do well to keep this question always in our hearts: "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" If he had given in, he would have sinned against the woman, against Potiphar and against himself. But the thought that controlled him and saved him was "against God."

What was the secret that kept him? He says, "How can I … sin against God?" His eye is on God. He lives before God. Happy man! Before God he has a sense of what is right and what is wrong. He knows that every sin, whether it is "against his own body" (see 1 Cor. 6:18) or not, is a sin against God. His reply showed a godly state of mind and a tender conscience.

Here is the secret of Joseph's steady life in front of his master. He served man faithfully because he walked always in the presence of God. Walking in the fear of God kept him in the hour of temptation. It is good for each one of us if the moment of fierce temptation finds us walking so close to God that we ask at once, "Can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" To ask that question is to escape the trap. The only thing we really have to be afraid of is fearing anything, or anyone, more than God.

Whenever we can escape without being disloyal, we are to run from temptation rather than face it. Scripture says, "Flee youthful passions," and "abstain from the passions of the flesh" — hold off from them. Flee, as Joseph fled; and there was perhaps no bolder man.

The temptation came "day after day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent, until Joseph fled from it and the devil failed. Having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18)… So Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience can cost a lot. Joseph has to trade the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardship of Pharaoh's prison.

Many people think Joseph was a good young man, but a rather soft one. Read his history carefully and you trace a character that is strong, wise, noble, generous and manly. Wherever he was, God was in all his thoughts. When he was tempted, he said, "How can I … sin against God?" When he stands before Pharaoh, his first words are, "God will give …" When he tells his brothers who he is, he says, "Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves … for God sent me before you." … He did not complain under that great disaster. He looks around to see what he can do to help others, even his jailers.

The devil, however, is not content with isolated attacks upon the children of God. He will wage a continual warfare. It was so with Joseph. The temptation came "day after day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent until Joseph flees from it. That foils the devil. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18).

Then came a time of fierce and prolonged testing, and we see how great is the contrast with Judah's action in the previous chapter. There Judah sinned at once, and hardly saw it as sin. Here the testing met him day after day. Two things held him: his fear of God, and his sense of the great wickedness of the seduction put before him... If he had given in, he would have sinned against the woman, against Potiphar and against himself. But the thought that controlled and saved him was "against God."

The wife of Potiphar spoke to Joseph day by day, seducing him. Evil comes to us day by day in this seductive way. That is why we must keep numbering our own days before God... Each day he lives, he is living before God. Joseph is numbering his days according to God. He lives out God's Commandments before they are given — "You shall not commit adultery" — and counts his days by that.

His way for us is always one that makes us feel our own weakness. Our prayer can never be, "Lead us into temptation," and therefore we are never to act as if this were our prayer. In all cases where escape is possible without disloyalty, we are to flee rather than face it. "So flee youthful passions." "Abstain (hold off) from the passions of the flesh." Flee, as Joseph fled — and there was, perhaps, no bolder man.

The adversary of souls then prepared a snare for him, and he had the integrity and dignity to flee from it. It only appealed to the depravity of his nature, and offered no relief to his condition as a slave. We may regard Potiphar's wife as a picture of the world; she stands for its attractions. She fails to win the prosperous servant of God, and so she becomes his fiercest and most unscrupulous foe.

So here we have the holy young man resisting the tempter, bearing grief, suffering though he had done no wrong. And this is grace in the day of trial... "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps"... Joseph could be no real picture of the atonement. But of Christ suffering unjustly and in grace, he was a blessed foreshadow.

We should not expect the devil to leave alone a life that is beautiful in the sight of God and man. Devotion to the Lord exposes Joseph to the hatred of the devil. The devil had completely failed to overcome Joseph by the world's disapproval and by hard circumstances. So he changes his tactics and tries to overcome Joseph by the pleasures of sin. In Potiphar's wife he has a ready tool to tempt Joseph, and the circumstances favour her evil plans. As it turned out, the temptation only served to bring out the moral excellence of Joseph.

When Potiphar's wife kept urging Joseph to commit adultery with her, what could he do but firmly refuse? If he reported it to Potiphar, she would accuse him of lying, and probably say that Joseph had tried to seduce her. Finally the day came when no one else was present. Joseph had to go into the house to take care of his work. She caught him by his garment and demanded again that he commit adultery with her.

Joseph had no father near to counsel him when the temptation arose, and it came again and again through his master's wife. But he utterly refused her shameless flattery, as one who sees the Unseen. The ten commandments had not yet been spoken; but he feared God, and he was jealous for his master's honour.

Our prayer can never be, "Lead us into temptation," and therefore we are never to act as if this were our prayer. In every case where escape is possible without disloyalty, we are to flee rather than face it. "Flee youthful passions." "Abstain from the passions of the flesh." Flee, as Joseph fled; and there was, perhaps, no bolder man.

Here the testing met him day after day. Nothing preserved him but his fear of God, and his sense of the great wickedness of the seduction placed before him. Whether young or old, as we pass through this defiling world, we do well to keep this question in our hearts: "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Had he complied, he would have sinned against the woman, against Potiphar, and against himself. But the controlling and saving thought was "against God."

Having failed as the tempter, the devil now becomes the persecutor. The woman who had earlier cast her evil eyes on Joseph now bears false witness against him with a lying tongue. As an old writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth." … In the end Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience may cost much. Joseph has to exchange the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardships of Pharaoh's prison.

Here we see the holy young man resisting the tempter, enduring grief, suffering wrongfully. And this is grace in the day of trial. … Joseph could be no real picture of the atonement; but of Christ's suffering unjustly and in grace he was a blessed foreshadow.

God's way for us always makes us realize our own weakness. Our prayer can never be, "Lead us into temptation," and therefore we are never to act as if this were our prayer. Whenever we can escape without being disloyal, we should run rather than stand and face it. "Flee also youthful lusts." "Abstain (hold off) from fleshly lusts." Flee, as Joseph fled; and there was, perhaps, no bolder man.

If you do not want temptation to defeat you, do not argue with Satan. When Eve began to argue her case with the serpent, the serpent was too clever for her. The devil used his reasoning to argue her right out of Paradise. If you sit down to talk terms with him, you give him half the victory.

The devil has completely failed to break Joseph through the world's hostility and hard circumstances, so he changes tactics and tries to defeat him with the pleasures of sin. Joseph escapes the trap by holding on to his faithfulness to his master and his fear of God. "Behold," says Joseph, "my master … has put everything he has into my hands … how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (vv. 8, 9). Here is the secret of Joseph's consistent life before his master. He served people faithfully because he lived every day in God's presence. And because he walked in the fear of God, God kept him in the hour of temptation. It is good for each of us if fierce temptation finds us walking so close to God that we ask at once, "Can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" To ask that question is to escape the snare. The only thing we really need to fear is fearing anything, or anyone, more than God.

The temptation came "day by day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent, until Joseph "flees" from the temptation and the devil's plan fails. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who once looked at Joseph with evil desire now gives lying testimony against him. As an older writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is nothing new for the worst of criminals to accuse the best of men of the worst crimes." So Joseph escapes a wicked woman and keeps a good conscience. But to retain a good conscience may cost much. Joseph has to exchange the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardships of Pharaoh's prison.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out for other men, no doubt servants of the household, and told them Joseph had come in to rape her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So from the moment it happened, she had testimony against Joseph that looked convincing.

This is just how the world works. People will first do all they can to lure a Christian away from faithfulness to Christ. If he resists and stands firm, they turn around and start to persecute him and spread lies about him.

So here we see the holy young man resisting the tempter, bearing grief, suffering though he had done no wrong. And this is grace in the day of trial. … Joseph could be no real picture of the atonement. But of Christ suffering unjustly and in grace he was a wonderful foreshadowing.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out for other men, no doubt servants of the household. She told them Joseph had come in to rape her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So from the moment it happened, she had witness against Joseph that seemed conclusive.

He did not stop to say, "I am Joseph, I am a man of God, I can withstand this sort of thing." He knew well the power of nature. He knew well the power of evil. So he fled, leaving his garment in the hand of the evil woman.

Our prayer can never be, "Lead us into temptation," and therefore we are never to act as if this were our prayer. In every case where escape is possible without disloyalty, we are to flee rather than face it. "Flee youthful passions." "Abstain (hold off) from the passions of the flesh." Flee, as Joseph fled. There was, perhaps, no bolder man.

Here the testing met him day after day. Only his fear of God preserved him, and his recognition of the great wickedness of the seduction placed before him. Whether young or old, we do well to keep this question in our hearts as we pass through this defiling world: "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Had he given in, he would have sinned against the woman, against Potiphar and against himself. But the controlling and saving thought was "against God."

Clearly this young man did more than resist her demands. He was also careful not to wound his master by proving the wife's guilty passion, and her still guiltier revenge on a blameless man. For lust, whether gratified or not, soon turns to hatred.

One event here shows the power of godliness. It also tells what the faithful may expect from this world: slander, false accusation, and prison. This was the first effect of faithfulness… In Potiphar's wife we see the world in a familiar character. Its prince is first the tempter, then the accuser of the saints. Joseph has to wait more than two full years before God appears for him. Faith and patience must have their perfect work.

Nothing was said about why he was put in prison. So far as the record goes, no one ever cleared him of the false charge brought against him. He evidently left this in the hand of God, who knows how to care for His servant's reputation.

Here then we have the holy youth resisting the tempter, enduring grief, and suffering when he had done no wrong… Joseph could be no true picture of the atonement. But of Christ's suffering unjustly and in grace, he was a blessed foreshadow.

The temptation came "day after day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent. Then Joseph "flees" from the temptation, and the devil is foiled. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who once cast her evil eyes on Joseph now bears witness against him with a lying tongue. As an old writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is nothing new for the worst of criminals to accuse the best of men falsely of the worst crimes." As a result, Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience can cost much.

We may regard Potiphar's wife as a type of the world, whose attractions she symbolises; and, failing to attract the prosperous servant of God, she becomes his fiercest and most unscrupulous foe. Evil company too often comes with prosperity. But for the God-fearing soul, prosperity tied to evil company cannot last. If he stays faithful, the evil company will destroy the prosperity.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out to other men, no doubt servants of the household. She told them Joseph had come in to rape her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So, from the moment it happened, she had witnesses against Joseph who seemed to prove her case.

On the one hand stood the proved, unquestionable trustworthiness of his slave. On the other stood his wife. A woman capable of such an approach must have shown her evil character in many other ways long before, if not in this one. So her word was already doubtful. Still, she was his wife. Her fraud was bold, shameless, and malicious. Yet we hear of no effort on Joseph's part to clear himself by exposing her wickedness. A simple denial of her charge would not stand against a husband's natural anger. Potiphar had no wish to look closely at the terrible alternative.

The wicked woman's husband evidently did not really believe his wife's foul lie. It was perhaps only to keep up appearances that he made a show of punishing Joseph. If he really believed her story, it is hard to see why he did not have this Hebrew slave put to death at once. He probably knew her character well.

So here we see the holy young man resisting the tempter, bearing grief, and suffering wrongfully. And this is grace in the day of trial… Joseph could be no real type of the atonement. But of Christ suffering unjustly and in grace he was a blessed foreshadow.

In all this Joseph is only a type of One whose sufferings were far deeper, just as His glory is far greater… He, too, suffered under the false accusations of the wicked. Again He can say, "They laid to My charge things that I knew not" (Ps. 35:11). He, too, was led to prison and to death.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out for other men, no doubt servants of the household, and told them Joseph had come in with the object of raping her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So from the very moment of the incident, she had a witness against Joseph that seemed conclusive.

The temptation came "day by day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent until Joseph "flees" from the temptation and the devil is foiled. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who had earlier cast her evil eyes on Joseph now testifies against him with a lying tongue. As an old writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is nothing new for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst crimes by those who are themselves the worst of criminals."

In all cases where escape is possible without disloyalty, we are to flee rather than face it. "So flee youthful passions." "Abstain (hold off) from the passions of the flesh." Flee, as Joseph fled; and there was, perhaps, no bolder man.

In the end Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience may cost much. Joseph has to exchange the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardships of Pharaoh's prison.

We can easily imagine how hard this was for Joseph's master, because of his wife's treachery. On one side stood the proven, unquestionable trustworthiness of his slave. On the other stood a wife capable of such an approach. A woman like that must long have shown her bad character in many ways, even if not in this one, so her word was doubtful. Still, she was his wife. However bold, shameless, and malicious her fraud, we never hear of Joseph trying to clear himself by exposing her wickedness.

Here then we have the holy youth resisting the tempter, and enduring grief, suffering wrongfully… "But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly." Joseph could be no real type of the atonement; but of Christ's suffering unjustly and in grace he was a blessed foreshadowing.

In Genesis 39 Satan uses Potiphar's wife, and in Genesis 40 he uses Pharaoh's chief butler. He used the first to put Joseph into the dungeon. He used the second to keep him there, through his ungrateful forgetfulness. But it was all in vain. God was behind the scenes. His finger was guiding every part of the vast machine of circumstances. When the due time came, He brought forth the man of His purpose and set his feet in a wide, open place.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out for other men, no doubt servants of the household. She told them Joseph had come in to rape her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So from the very moment of the incident, she had a witness against Joseph that seemed conclusive. When Potiphar came home, she told him the same false story. Joseph's garment lay there as apparent proof of her evil accusation.

Because he kept his eyes on the God no one can see, Joseph pushed back the temptation and came through it unstained. He quietly suffered under the false charge of the shameless woman who tried to seduce him. Clearly this young man did more than resist her pressure. He was also careful not to wound his master by proving the wife's guilty passion and her still guiltier revenge on an innocent man. For lust, whether satisfied or not, soon turns into hatred.

The temptation came "day by day" (v. 10). The attacks grew more persistent until Joseph "flees" from the temptation and so defeats the devil. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who had once cast her evil eyes on Joseph now testifies against him with a lying tongue. As an older writer said, "The bonds of truth will never hold those who have broken the bonds of modesty. It is nothing new for the worst of criminals to bring false charges of the worst crimes against the best of men." The result is that Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience may cost a great deal. Joseph has to swap the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardship of Pharaoh's prison.

We can easily imagine the difficulty the wife's treachery created for Joseph's master. On one side stood the proven, unquestionable trustworthiness of his slave. On the other stood his wife. A woman capable of such a proposition must long have shown her bad character in many ways, even if not in this one. That alone would make her word doubtful. Still, she was his wife. Whatever her bold, shameless, malicious fraud, we hear of no effort by Joseph to clear himself by exposing her wickedness.

In all this Joseph is only a picture of One whose sufferings were far deeper, just as His glory is far greater. During His life on earth He too was among us as One who serves, for He could say, "Man acquired Me as bondman from My youth" (Zechariah 13:5). He too suffered under the false accusations of the wicked. Again He can say, "They laid to My charge things that I knew not" (Psalm 35:11). He too was led to prison and to death.

In Genesis 39 Satan uses Potiphar's wife, and in Genesis 40 he uses Pharaoh's chief cupbearer. He used the first to put Joseph into the dungeon. He used the second to keep him there, through ungrateful neglect. But it was all in vain. God was behind the scenes. His finger was guiding all the springs of the vast machine of circumstances. When the right time came, He brought out the man of His purpose and set his feet in a large room.

She saw a chance to get revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out to other men, no doubt servants of the household, and told them Joseph had come in meaning to rape her. She said she cried out, and that he left without his garment. So from the very moment of the incident she had testimony against Joseph, and it seemed conclusive. When Potiphar came home she told him the same false story. Joseph's garment lay there as apparent proof of her evil accusation.

The temptation came "day by day" (v. 10), and the attacks grew more persistent. Then Joseph "flees" from the temptation, and the devil is foiled. But having failed as the tempter, he now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who had earlier cast her evil eyes on Joseph now bears witness against him with a lying tongue. As an old writer said, "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is nothing new for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst crimes by those who are themselves the worst of criminals."

Of course Joseph was helpless to do anything. His word, the word of a slave, would mean nothing to Potiphar compared with the word of his wife.

The wicked woman's husband evidently did not really believe his wife's foul lie. It was perhaps only to save appearances that he made a show of punishing Joseph. If he really believed her story, it is hard to see why he did not have this Hebrew slave put to death at once. He probably knew her character well.

By his steadfast refusal he enraged the woman. She invented a cunning story against him. Her husband believed it, and it landed Joseph in prison. But in Joseph's history we are going to see a striking example of what the Apostle Peter wrote in his First Epistle. Peter said, "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (1 Peter 2:20). He was brought low for a moment, but only so that he might be lifted up at the right time.

Here we have the holy young man resisting the tempter, and bearing grief, suffering wrongfully. This is grace in the day of trial. Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow His steps… Joseph could be no real type of the atonement. But of Christ's suffering unjustly and in grace he was a blessed foreshadowing.

Nothing was said about the reason he was put in prison. So far as the record goes, he was never cleared of the charge that was falsely brought against him. He evidently left this in the hand of God, who knows how to care for His servant's reputation.

She then saw an opportunity of getting revenge on Joseph because he would not join her in evil. She called out for other men, no doubt servants of the household. She told them Joseph had come in to rape her. She said she cried out, and he left without his garment. So from the very time of the incident, she had testimony against Joseph that seemed conclusive. When Potiphar came home she told him the same false story. Joseph's garment lay there as apparent proof of her evil accusation.

But having failed as the tempter, the devil now becomes the persecutor (vv. 13-18). The woman who once cast her evil eyes on Joseph now testifies against him with a lying tongue. As an old writer said: "Those who have broken the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is nothing new for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst crimes by those who are themselves the worst of criminals." The result is that Joseph escapes from a bad woman and keeps a good conscience. But keeping a good conscience may cost much. Joseph has to exchange the comfort of Potiphar's house for the hardships of Pharaoh's prison.

Of course Joseph was helpless to do anything. His word, the word of a slave, would mean nothing to Potiphar compared with the word of his wife. He was understandably angry with Joseph. He removed him from his high position in Potiphar's house. He also put him in prison with others who were evidently mostly political prisoners of Pharaoh.

The husband of this base woman evidently did not really believe his wife's foul lie. It was perhaps only to save appearances that he made a show of punishing Joseph. If he really believed her story, it is hard to see why he should not have had this Hebrew slave put to death at once. He probably knew her character quite well.

Nothing was said about the reason for which he was put in prison. So far as the record goes, he was never cleared of the charge that was falsely brought against him. He evidently left this in the hand of God, who knows how to care for His servant's reputation.

His steadfast refusal enraged the woman. She invented a cunning story against him. Her husband believed it, and it landed him in prison. But Joseph's history gives a striking illustration of what the apostle Peter wrote in his First Epistle: "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (1 Peter 2:20). He was brought low for a moment, but only that he might be lifted up at the right time.

In all this Joseph is a picture of One whose sufferings were far deeper. He too suffered under the false accusations of the wicked, for He can say, "They laid to My charge things that I knew not" (Ps. 35:11). He too was led to prison and to death. In full measure He had to meet the base ingratitude of those who had received only good at His hands.

We can easily imagine the difficulty the wife's treachery created for Joseph's master. On one side stood the proved and unquestionable trustworthiness of his slave. On the other stood a wife who could make such a proposal. A woman like that must long have shown her evil character in many ways, even if not in this one, so her word was doubtful. Still, she was his wife. Whatever her bold, shameless and malicious fraud, we hear of no effort by Joseph to clear himself by exposing her wickedness. A simple denial of her charge would not stand against the natural anger of a husband unwilling to look closely into the terrible alternative.

The husband of this shameless woman clearly did not really believe his wife's foul lie. Perhaps he made a show of punishing Joseph only to keep up appearances. If he had believed her story, it is hard to see why he did not have this Hebrew slave put to death at once. He probably knew her character quite well... This is exactly why Pilate was so slow to agree to the crucifixion of "the Lord of glory." He knew the character of His accusers well. He did not believe Him guilty of death.

We may regard Potiphar's wife as a picture of the world and the attractions it holds out. She fails to attract the prosperous servant of God, and so she becomes his most bitter and unscrupulous enemy... How varied is the life of this future witness for God! First he was sold as a slave for carrying his father's love to his brothers. Now his master throws him into prison, because he had honestly guarded his master's property.

His steadfast refusal enraged the woman. She cunningly made up a story against him, her husband believed it, and it landed him in prison. But in Joseph's history we are going to see a striking example of a word from the Apostle Peter's First Letter. He wrote, "if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (1 Peter 2:20). He was brought low for a moment, only so that he might be lifted up in due time.

In both, Joseph suffered for love and for righteousness' sake. In both, Jehovah stood by His wronged servant, and caused His favour to rest on him even while he suffered... It was hard enough for a free man to be sold into slavery. It was harder still for a godly man to be condemned for a crime that the false accuser had invited him to commit in vain. But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour where it might least have been expected.

In Genesis 39 Satan uses Potiphar's wife to put Joseph into the dungeon. In Genesis 40 he uses Pharaoh's chief cupbearer to keep him there, through that man's ungrateful forgetfulness. But it was all in vain. God was behind the scenes. His finger was guiding every spring of the vast machine of circumstances. When the right time came, He brought forward the man of His purpose and set his feet in a large room.

In all this Joseph is only a picture of One whose sufferings were far deeper, just as His glory is far greater. He too suffered under the false accusations of the wicked, for again He can say, "malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know" (Psalm 35:11). He too was led to prison and to death.

We can easily imagine the difficulty the wife's treachery created for Joseph's master. On one side stood the proven, unquestionable trustworthiness of his slave. On the other stood a wife who could make such an approach. She must long have shown her evil character in many ways, even if not in this one, so her word was doubtful. Still, she was his wife. Whatever her bold, shameless, and malicious fraud, we hear of no effort on Joseph's part to clear himself by exposing her wickedness. A simple denial of her charge would not stand against a husband's natural anger. He was unwilling to look closely into the terrible alternative.

The wicked woman's husband clearly did not really believe his wife's foul lie. It was perhaps only to keep up appearances that he made a show of punishing Joseph. If he really believed her story, it is hard to see why he did not have this Hebrew slave put to death at once. He probably knew her character quite well. That seems to me the only way to explain his great leniency towards Joseph. Pilate was slow to consent to the crucifixion of "the Lord of glory" for the same reason. He knew the character of His accusers well, and did not really believe Him deserving of death.

That it was a terrible experience we learn from Psalm 105:18. Speaking of Joseph, it says, "His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron." The margin of the Bible says, "Hebrew: his soul came into iron." Do we not have a saying in English, "The iron entered his soul"? Nothing is more depressing than captivity like that, day after day, night after night, summer and winter, year in and year out. The weariness, discomfort, sameness and hopelessness of it is a great test. Under that test character will either collapse or show itself. Trials make or mar a person.

Pending a decision in the matter, they were confined in the same prison as Joseph, and put in his charge. God ordered the chain of events. The first link was Joseph's placing where the king's prisoners were confined. The second was that these two men came there in due time.

In Genesis 39 Satan uses Potiphar's wife, and in Genesis 40 he uses Pharaoh's chief butler. The first he used to put Joseph into the dungeon; the second he used to keep him there, through his ungrateful neglect. But it was all in vain. God was behind the scenes. His finger was guiding all the springs of the vast machine of circumstances. When the time was right, He brought out the man of His purpose and set his feet in a wide, open place.

God was with Joseph and showed him mercy… Before this, in Potiphar's home, God made everything go well. Now, while Joseph was in the prison, God did the same. It is much better to live in a prison with God than to live in a king's house without Him.

With Joseph in it, the house of the Egyptian is blessed by God. But with Christ ministering in it, how beyond words was the world blessed!… Yet it did not turn man's heart to God. False witness casts Joseph into Pharaoh's prison, where everything again comes under his hand. Under false accusation the Lord descends into a darker prison-house, and as a result He shows Himself Master of all there.

Once again he comes into suffering. Once again he is misrepresented and slandered, though he deserves none of it, and thrown quickly into the dungeon. But Jehovah was with Joseph in the prison, just as much as in Potiphar's house. It mattered little where he was, since Jehovah was with him. What a difference it makes when God is with us — and God in that special relationship His people know, which the name "Jehovah" carries here as everywhere.

The Lord was with him as much in the time and place of his trouble as He had been in the days when he did well in Potiphar's house and estate. As a result He showed mercy to him. That mercy took the form of bringing him into the favour of the keeper of the prison, who clearly held absolute power within his own limited area.

He was put into that particular prison, "the place where the king's prisoners were confined." This proved to be a link in the chain of circumstances that connected him with ultimate triumph. Had it been another prison he would never have met the butler and baker who had offended the king.

We learn how terrible this experience was from Psalm 105:18. Speaking of Joseph, it says, "his feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron." The margin of the Bible says, "his soul came into iron." Nothing is more depressing than captivity like that — day after day, night after night, summer and winter, year in and year out. The weariness, discomfort, sameness and hopelessness of it is a great test. Under it character either collapses or comes out.

How good it is that everyone who suffers for righteousness' sake will have the Lord's gracious sympathy. He will not give him up to self-pity and depression. The chief jailer of course saw that Joseph was an honorable man, not a common criminal. He soon trusted Joseph with unusual responsibilities for a prisoner. We are told again that the Lord was with Joseph and made whatever he did prosper. It may seem strange that this could be true of a prisoner, but it does show that Joseph was not a negative man, but positive and faithful.

Satan uses Potiphar's wife, and later he uses Pharaoh's chief butler. The first he used to put Joseph into the dungeon; the second he used to keep him there, through his ungrateful forgetfulness. But it was all in vain. God was behind the scenes. His finger was guiding every spring of the vast machine of circumstances. When the right time came, He brought out the man He had purposed and set that man's feet in a large room.

Before this in Potiphar's home, God made everything go well. Now while Joseph was in the prison, God did the same. It is much better to live in a prison with God, than to live in a king's house without Him.

Joseph had now tasted the bitterness of both the pit and the prison. Taken together they foreshadow Christ going down into death because of the hatred of men. But there the power of His hand was felt.

Placed in servitude, he became the one who ran his master's house. Cast down into prison, once more all things fall into his hands. The prisoner in chains becomes the ruler of the prison. The official keeper of the prison found such a treasure in him that he gave him full powers. He "paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed."

That "God was with him" is what marks his condition, and he had plenty of evidence of it. A change of scene changes nothing here. As soon as he is in prison, we read the same record of him and see the same circumstances around him. The keeper of the prison puts the same confidence in him that Potiphar his master had. Under his hand in the prison all things prosper, as they had in the Egyptian's house. So Joseph had full witness from God that God was enough for him.

Reading the story, we cannot miss one thing: he was a submissive man. His circumstances were hard and his position was trying. He was cut off from his relatives, a stranger in a foreign land. He had passed from the love of his father's home to slavery in the Egyptian's house, yet there is no complaining. He holds no bitter thoughts against his brothers. He makes no complaint about his hard lot, and not a single rebellious word against the ways of God.

The person who really leans on God improves the circumstances of trial he is in, whether they are temporary or permanent. No adverse circumstances can crush real living energy; they may limit and shape it... And Joseph is soon found to be as useful in prison as he was in the house of the captain of the guard... In every trial, however dark, there are gleams of light and relief. But full deliverance is often delayed by our anxiety to get it. God is to be the satisfaction of His servant, not the deliverance. So the deliverance is often postponed until we have no prospect or expectation of it.

With Joseph in it, God blesses the house of the Egyptian. But with Christ serving in it, how beyond words the world was blessed!... Even this did not turn man's heart to God. False witness casts Joseph into Pharaoh's prison, where, however, all things come into his hand. Under a false accusation the Lord goes down into a darker prison-house, and there He shows Himself Master of all.

Notice the trial of Joseph and his righteous suffering in Egypt. They were meant to frustrate God's purpose and looked dead against it, yet they only brought about the very thing they seemed to prevent. His brothers sold him into Egypt, and Potiphar put him in prison. It was there that he met the cupbearer and the baker, and that meeting set him as governor over all the land of Egypt. We cannot push God out of His way. It is better to trust Him.

Here again he comes into suffering. Here again men wrongly misrepresent and slander him, and rush him into the dungeon. But Jehovah was with Joseph in the prison, just as much as in Potiphar's house. Verse 2 says, He was with Joseph. Verse 21 says again, He was with Joseph, "and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." It mattered little where he was, since Jehovah was with him. What a difference it makes when God is with us — God in the special, known relationship that the name "Jehovah" implies here and everywhere.

As soon as he is in Potiphar's house, everything under his hand, committed to him by his master, prospers. And a change of scene works no change in this; for as soon as he is in prison, we read the same record of him, and see the same circumstances around him. The keeper of the prison puts the same confidence in him that his master Potiphar had; and under his hand in the prison all things prosper, as they had in the Egyptian's house. So Joseph had full witness from God that God was sufficient for him.

So we find everything in the prison "committed to Joseph's hand." The record makes the extraordinary statement that "whatever they did there, he was the doer of it." The young man thrown in as a prisoner becomes the super-efficient deputy of the jailer, and ends up controlling the whole place! We wonder whether any prison has seen anything close to this since that day. The keeper had no work and no worry left. He no doubt took the salary, and Joseph did the work.

How good it is that everyone who suffers for righteousness' sake will have the gracious sympathy of the Lord! He will not give him up to self-pity and depression... It may seem strange that this could be true of a prisoner, but it does show that Joseph was not of a negative character, but positive and faithful.

His brothers' cruelty was unnatural, and it ended in his slavery. Worse still was the new trial that came through a guilty woman. In both Joseph suffered, for love and for righteousness' sake. In both Jehovah stood by His wronged servant, and made His favour rest on him even while he suffered... Violence did not overcome him, and neither did corruption. He overcame evil with good. People who did not know God saw it, even if the evil state of his brothers blinded them for a while... Slaves and criminals do not, in themselves, win the approval of their guardians, as everyone knows.

He had now tasted the bitterness of both pit and prison. Taken together they foreshadow Christ going down into death as a result of the malice of man. But there the power of His hand was felt. The skill of Joseph's hand in the house of Potiphar may remind us of the mighty hand of Christ in His matchless life. But in the closing verses of our chapter we see pictured the power of His mighty hand in the dark domain of death.

He did not look to anything that was under his hand, because God was with Joseph and made all that he did to go well. Before this, in Potiphar's home, God made everything go well. Now, while Joseph was in the prison, God did the same. It is much better to live in a prison with God than to live in a king's house without Him.