JOSEPH IN POTIPHAR’S HOUSE!
The captain of the guard of Pharaoh, named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites.
And the “Lord was with Joseph.” Soon he learned to read and write the Egyptian language .. God prospered him in everything he had to do.
Potiphar could see that, the Lord “was with Joseph” and made him the head over everything that he owned. God blessed all that he did as it was in the case of Jacob when God was “with him.”
Cpt 8:15. “I AM “WITH YOU” AND WILL KEEP YOU IN ALL PLACES WHERE EVER YOU SHALL GO.”
Joseph was a nice person and well favoured wherever he went. God blessed Potiphar’s house for Joseph’s sake.
Do you dear reader, realise that God is with you? He is blessing others through you and because of you.
He is “with you” in your hard times and He is working His wonderful plan for your life, in and through you. You may not see it as yet. Do not question Him, but by faith, give thanks!
JOSEPH TESTED BY ADVERSITY.
Though things went well for Joseph, there was always something new to tempt him away from his Godly upbringing and religious convictions.
He was a handsome man and very desirable to women, yet totally unaware of his masculinity until ..
Potiphar’s wife laid eyes upon him.
She began her seduction by sexual connotations in the jokes she told. Then told him how handsome and desirable he was.
Joseph said nothing, but his face turned red and his ears began to burn.
He felt jumpy in her presence and avoided being too close to her. She would try to reach out and touch him and Joseph would quickly jump out of the way!! He knew that ..”Potiphar’s wife wanted him!”
The next time she came into the room, (which had become a daily occurrence), she had commanded all the men to leave the house and instead of whispering .. she spoke loudly and clearly, “Hebrew, lie with me.”
She was dressed in skimpy seductive clothes and had let her hair down .. beautifu black, thick shiny hair that fell over her face and neck..
“Joseph, lie with me! Oh Joseph, l ne-e-e-e-d! you” her dark eyes glistened with tears.
She grabbed his garment tightly, and Joseph determined not to stay one second longer .. slipped out of his garment .. and ran!!
If you are in the same position as Joseph, then do a Joseph .. RUN!! Break it off! and see that person no more.
Where could he run?? He was almost naked!
So Potiphar’s wife cried,
“Rape! Rape! The Hebrew tried to rape me.”
The men came running and grabbed him, beating him to the ground and held him fast.
When his master came home, his wife twisted the whole story and used the coat as evidence against Joseph.
Potiphar sadly, believed his wife! and put him in prison, a place where the Kings prisoners were.
JOSEPH IN PRISON.
Joseph lay in that filthy place and he said, to the Lord “I told her I would not do this great wickedness and sin against God .. and her husband, Potiphar. But she was so determined, I chose to run! and I ran, and I ran .. from .. her!” (So we must run from sin and temptation.)
He was put in irons which badly wounded his flesh.
Psl 105:18. “THEY HURT HIS FEET WITH FETTERS, AND HIS SOUL ENTERED INTO THE IRON.”
What does that mean, “his soul entered into the iron”? I have two thoughts on this ..
Iron is a metal used for making tools or implements. It is hard, strong, unyielding and used for fetters and shackles. Cold, harsh and cruel!
1. Maybe the pain was too much for Joseph to bear.
He was accused of rape, guilty though pure and innocent.
His employment was snatched from him.
The relationship of trust from Potiphar cut off, he had every reason for his soul to enter into ..
“deep depression” and oh the “physical pain”, he could hardly move!
“WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN OH MY SOUL, WHY SINK IN DESPAIR, JUST KEEP HOPING AND WAITING ON GOD.”
Are echoed by David in Psl 42:11.
Godly people can suffer depression at any time .. It is not a sin!
2. Yet, it could mean that, his Iron Will took on an, “Iron-Like-Resilience!” (Capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.)
A new awareness that God was indeed with him in that filthy vermin infested dungeon.
No person imprisoned knew when they were to be released .. as there were no fixed sentences. There hung a heavy cloud of “hopelessness.”
Maybe it could mean both of these explanations. We know one thing for sure ..
GOD WAS WITH JOSEPH !!
Soon he found favour with the warden of the prison, and he committed all things into Joseph’s care, and the “Lord made whatever he did to prosper!!”
The Lord gave Joseph the added wisdom and strength to take care of all the prisoners, and the keeper put him in charge of everything.
Some prisoners who were very downcast asked him ..“What can we do to survive in this place?”
“Tell us” they begged.
“How do you endure this misery?”
Joseph smiled and replied,
“THE “LORD” IS WITH ME.”
And dear suffering one..
THE LORD IS ALSO “WITH YOU.”
Amen.
Amen! The Lord indeed is with us Heather!
Bless you sweet friend ❤️