Joseph has now been sold into slavery to Potiphar, a high ranking Egyptian officer. It was here in the middle of slavery that the writer of Genesis pointed out for the first time that God was with Joseph. Before he was sold into slavery, God was obviously with Joseph, but this is the first time it was pointed out. God was with Joseph in the midst of suffering, and somehow in the midst of that suffering and slavery, God blessed Joseph. Joseph had the Midas touch and it impressed his master so much, that Potiphar made Joseph in charge of his house. Joseph's success and good looks also impressed the mistress of the house as well. She continued to come onto Joseph, but Joseph refrained not only because she was the wife of his master, but more importantly that he would sin against God. One day, overcome by lust, Potiphar's wife strips Joseph of his robe and begs him to come to bed with her, but again Joseph refuses and runs out of the house. This is now the second time Joseph has been stripped. The first time landed him in a pit. This time, Joseph was sent to jail. Joseph's identity was stripped away again, but like before, God was with Joseph, this time in jail. And God gave Joseph success even in jail.
This passage teaches me that whatever the circumstance, even when my identity on the outside might get stripped away, God is still with me. God was with Joseph in slavery and in the dungeon. There is no place that God would not go to be with his people.
"Lord help me to be aware of your presence, even in the middle of hard times. Thank you that you remain with us. Amen."
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
It is easy to trust God when all is going well, but not so easy to trust Him when circumstances are totally against us. But it is in those times that we can truly learn what it means to trust. If we can always see the answer, that's not trusting, but it is when all seems lost and hopeless that trust becomes precious as we hang on to our lifeline and God, in His faithfulness always comes to our rescue. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but if we keep trusting He will reveal Himself to us and we can see He was with us all the time.
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