Genesis 39
BBCGenesis 39:1
- Joseph’s Test and Triumph (Chap. 39)39:1-19 The story now returns to Egypt, where Joseph was appointed overseer in the house of Potiphar, . . . captain of the guard in Pharaoh’s palace. The LORD was with him and he became a successful man (Tyndale, in 1534, translated it, he was “a lucky fellow,” v. 2). Potiphar’s wife tried repeatedly to seduce Joseph, but he steadfastly refused. He would not betray his master’s confidence or sin against his God. One day she caught him by his garment. He squirmed out of it and fled, leaving her holding it. He lost his coat but saved his character and eventually gained a crown. She used the coat as “evidence” that Joseph had attempted to rape her. Believers are taught to flee fornication, idolatry, and youthful lusts. Better to flee than to fall. 39:20-23 Without proper investigation, Joseph’s master ordered him to prison; but even there Joseph was blessed by the Lord and was given a position of responsibility. The fact that Joseph was not executed may indicate that Potiphar did not entirely believe his wife; he couldn’t help knowing her true character. The truth of Rom_8:28 is wonderfully displayed in this chapter. God was working behind the scenes for Joseph. The latter resisted temptation and sought to avoid occasions for sin (vv. 8-10). Despite this, his would-be seducer framed him.
And so for a second time Joseph found himself in chains (Psa_105:17-19). Under the circumstances he should have been upset. But he was not “under the circumstances”; he was above them and saw God’s hand in them. His time in prison was “training time for reigning time.” So things that were meant by others for evil turned out to be for good.