God works in and through adversity (Genesis 39)
Gen 39:1-23
During the Communist era in Hungary, my Dad’s family was considered ‘politically unreliable’. Dad was denied a university education (though he did get one later) and worked in an optical glass factory as a manual labourer. Early on, he was called up for military service, which in his case would have meant a hard labour camp. At his medical examination, the doctor seemed to know him and gave him an exemption on some pretext, thus saving him from labour camp. Dad never found out who he was. While this may be rather dramatic a rescue, we may all remember ‘small mercies’ in times of difficulty. It may have been a friend who stood by us when we were in despair, a timely financial help when we wondered how we would manage, an accidental discovery of a medical problem that could have been a lot worse if left undetected for longer. These can feel like small signals that God has not abandoned us even when life is hard.
God’s faithfulness – Joseph’s advancement and blessing
As we pick up Joseph’s story again, we likewise see God’s faithfulness amid hardship. Repeatedly, we are told that the LORD was with Joseph (Gen 39:2-3, 21, 23). Despite his enslavement, he quickly rises from household servant to personal attendant and then overseer of Potiphar’s household (Gen 39:4-5). How his Egyptian master knew that God was with him (v.3) is hard to tell. Perhaps he saw how his household prospered under this young slave’s management and drew the conclusion that Joseph must be favoured by his God.[1] Indeed, our text says twice that God blessed Potiphar because of Joseph (v.5) just as Laban earlier experienced similar blessings because of Jacob (Gen 30:27). Ultimately, God promised Abraham that He will bless those who bless him (Gen 12:3) and this was the outworking of His promise.
The source of Joseph’s integrity
While God’s blessing was not the result of Joseph’s integrity,[2] the incident with Potiphar’s wife shows him as someone faithful in his relationships and by implication in his work. He not only refuses intercourse but even the compromise of lying beside her or being with her (Gen 39:10). Her brief sentence ‘Lie with me’ (Gen 39:7, 12) underlines the intensity of her passion, which contrasts with Joseph’s measured speech. His resistance stems from his faithfulness to his master and to God (Gen 39:8-9). In other words, his morality is based on the relationship of trust with God and neighbour that should not be betrayed.[3]
God’s providence at work
Despite this window into Joseph’s character, the focus of the story is not on how to resist sexual temptation, but on God’s workings in the life of someone exposed to the spite of others. Note how Joseph’s flight is reported quickly (Gen 39:11-12), while the manipulation of the facts by Potiphar’s wife is given ample space (Gen 39:13-18). Yet, God’s providence is once again at work. Joseph is only imprisoned (Gen 39:20), not executed (attempted rape even by a free person was worthy of the death penalty), which suggests that Potiphar is not entirely convinced of his wife’s words though he cannot ignore them.[4] Joseph’s imprisonment where political prisoners are kept (Gen 39:20) will become the springboard for his advancement though he does not know it yet. Moreover, the LORD continues to be with him and shows him loyal covenant love (ḥesed, NASB ‘kindness’; Gen 39:21), so that he is quickly promoted even in prison (Gen 39:22-23). His story illustrates that those who belong to God are not immune to the wickedness of others and may suffer innocently. Some are persecuted for their Christian faith and accused falsely leading to job loss or demotion. Others may be propositioned by the boss and lose their job if they refuse. Yet others might resign because they refuse to be involved in shady business dealings and then find it difficult to get another job, especially if their former boss blackens their name in the sector. Whatever our particular difficulty or struggle, Joseph’s story encourages us that whether we know it or not, God is on our case and if we trust Him we will not be disappointed.
[1] Potiphar may not have known the name of Joseph’s God (which the narrator supplies in v.3), but in the ancient world the connection between prosperity and the blessing or favour of the gods was frequently made.
[2] God blessed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob despite some of their moral deficiencies, so the principle that God’s grace is not earned is true here. Nevertheless, our relationship with God should effect a change in us in shaping us to become people of integrity.
[3] This is a far cry from the conventional morality of the modern era that holds up an abstract ideal without belief in God. Such a construct eventually breaks down because in dismissing the aspect of accountability in a relationship (with God), it is like a house without a foundation.
[4] Although we read that Potiphar was angry, it is left unspoken who or what with. It is possible that he is angry with Joseph, his wife or furious that he must lose his good steward.
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