Take Two: Genesis 39, Proverbs 30

This is a story that is somewhat familiar to many. It deals with Joseph as the head servant at Potiphar's house. After being sold to the Ishmaelites, Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold again (Gen 39:1). This would/should be enough to really kill a man's attitude...but it seems that Joseph looked at his circumstance differently. He sought to make the most of the circumstance where he found himself...and God blessed him and the fruits of his efforts (Gen 39:2). As a result, Joseph gained recognition in his master's eyes because his master saw that "the Lord was with him" (Gen 39:3).

This is a good place to say that it is never even suggested that Potiphar was a believer or a follower of God. He was not a respecter of Joseph's God. He simply saw the results of Joseph's life and discerned that only God could cause it to come about (A discernment that may have come about in concert with Joseph's testimony of His God) . I wonder how many people look at the fruit in our lives and see that God is blessing our efforts? What seems to be implied in this text is that Joseph lived in a manner consistent with a believer in God. He did the right thing, in the right way, and gave credit to God for everything. As a result, those around him also gave credit to his God and he was, in fact, a powerful instrument in God's hand.

Joseph is propositioned by Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:7), and not once, but repeatedly (Gen 39:10). We have seen that the attitude toward sexual encounters in previous chapters was a bit more open than polite society allows...and Joseph hasn't seen any Hebrews he knew. He could have acted in any way he wanted and no one (except God) would have ever known. I can imagine the "self-talk" that may have occurred...recounting how the God of his fathers allowed him to be taken into slavery. Maybe it was just fine for Joseph to bed down with this woman! After all...who would ever know!

Joseph responded otherwise. He speaks of the responsibility entrusted to him by his master and how he could not/would not risk the trust invested (Gen 39:8-9). Joseph even connected the sin against his master...with a sin against God (Gen 39:9). IMAGINE...stealing from the government, lying to a co-worker, failing to fulfill a commitment to a friend...being a sin against God!

Joseph rebuffed the master's wife one time too many. She sets up a story and accuses him falsely and does it in a way that it is her husband's fault for bringing the Hebrew into the house (Gen 39:14, 17, 19).

Potiphar responded as any civilized husband. (No...he did not get his gun out of the truck!) He had Joseph imprisoned (Gen 39:20). Here, Joseph (who has not erred and is being used of God) simply continued to serve God IN HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE. His commitment to God is not based on convenience but conviction. God blesses Joseph in prison with a strong presence and evidence of trustworthiness (Gen 39:21-23). I am sure he must have been bummed to a degree along the way...but the fact is, he simply did the right thing because it was the right thing...and God blessed it. (God is making His strength and power known through the obedience and lifestyle of a willing believer...in a very practical way.)

Proverbs 30:5-6 is the takeaway today. God's Word is sure. It is tested and proven true. We do not need to add to it. When we try to add our "stuff" to God's Word and claim it is from Him...He will intentionally tear down our assertion and demonstrate the error of our claim.

God is sufficient. We must come to be satisfied and comfortable with that. In doing so, we see His glory manifested throughout the world!