Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11

Gen 39

The first six verses of this chapter are so powerful. They teach me that you can’t get rid of God! God is with you, even when you’re a slave in the house of a master. And God can give success, even in that situation, where we would have thought there’d be no hope. God can show us favor anywhere.

From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. ⁶ So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

May I find favor with the Lord, and the people in my household and in my life be blessed because of it. May my office be blessed because I’m there.

But just as God is blessing you, the devil will always try to find a way to poor sand in your garri! Of course, he had to bring along Potiphar’s wife as a hindrance to the flow of blessings. An unnecessary distraction and temptation to get Joseph out of the will of God, so that the plans of God for him and his whole family would be derailed – or, at the very least, delayed! This is so annoying.

But Joseph walked in such purity, that he immediately recoiled. He didn’t even consider it. He immediately called it ‘a wicked thing and a sin against God.’ Lord, help me to stop nurturing the idea of sin! To walk in holiness in every area of my life so that I recognize sin for what it really is – a wicked thing, and a sin against God.

⁰ And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Temptations don’t only come once. They keep on coming over and over again to wear you out. And so, Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph ‘day after day..’ Still, he refused – refused to even be with her! Joseph’s discipline is admirable. I can see that there’s no other way around sin, though. You just have to leave absolutely no doors or windows open. This is so deep. He paid a price for saying no to sin. But God had his reward waiting for him in the end.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. ²² So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. ²³ The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Again, God was not limited by Joseph’s context or situation. He still was with him in the prison. And Joseph’s anointing did not diminish because he was in less comfortable circumstances. He carried his leadership anointing with him. And so just as Potiphar did, the prison warden put Joseph in charge of everything! When the Lord gives success and favor, there are no limits!

Gen 40

o   This chapter clarifies that the prison was actually a ‘dungeon.’ Yet, what strikes me is that Joseph maintained a good attitude, even in a dungeon, even when he had done nothing to deserve being there. He kept up his faith.

o   Because of his good attitude, his eyes were open to opportunities around him. He did not sulk. His network was expanding now that he had two new prison mates.

o   He wasn’t so preoccupied with his own problem that he threw a pity party and was blind to the plight of others. He actually noticed that the baker and cupbearer looked gloomy – and he cared enough to ask why. Being in a dungeon is reason enough to be in a bad mood, but he had such an excellent attitude. No wonder God chose him for this kind of destiny and blessing.

o   He continued to put his God-given gifts to use. He didn’t withhold them because he was in prison. He gave glory to God and interpreted the dreams. He kept flowing in his anointing, despite his circumstances. He could have said, what’s the point? After all, this God hasn’t gotten me out of here. What faith! What a relationship. Make me faithful like Joseph, Lord!!!

o   ¹⁴ But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. ¹⁵ I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” Joseph balanced spiritually and practicality. He trusted God, but understood that God works through people, too. He asked the baker and cupbearer to put in a good word for him.

o   ²³ The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. This made me so sad. Sometimes, we’re so careless. Lord, help me not to forget the good that others have done toward me.  

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