After Joseph had been sold into slavery into Potiphar’s household it seems that he accepted his position and began working. It is clear from the text that God was with Joseph, loving him, blessing him and prospering what he did.
Potiphar was a captain of the guard for Pharaoh. He was a man of influence and power. With Joseph, his position improved. He was able to focus on his work and not worry about his household affairs. Joseph, basically ran everything. He reported to Potiphar and was accountable to him, but Potiphar was able to entrust everything to him.
It seems that Potiphar’s wife was also pleased with the addition of Joseph to the household staff, but for a different reason. She made it a priority to bed him. This may have been in order to control Joseph to get him to serve her over her husband, or it could have been for a more obvious reason – he was “hot.” I suspect that she was getting away with some extravagant living, and Joseph’s watchful care for his master’s earthly goods was restricting her lifestyle. Whatever the reason, Joseph honored God and Potiphar in his behavior.
It is interesting to take note of Potiphar’s response after his wife accused Joseph. Often slaves who displeased their masters were killed. Joseph was accused of one of the worst things a slave could do – sexually assaulting his master’s wife. It would make sense for Potiphar to have him executed for such and offense. However, he had him thrown into prison instead. The text says that Potiphar’s anger was kindled, but it does not say against whom; Joseph or his wife. And the prison Joseph was thrown into was not just any flea infested dung heap. It was Pharaoh’s prison. This would at least imply that Potiphar suspected the truth behind his wife’s charges.
For us this chapter hi-lights the fact that when we make the right choice it does not always work out in the way we’d expect. How is it that by behaving morally and uprightly that Joseph should end up in prison? How is it that when we speak the truth in love we should be “punished” by those who do not like our message? How is it that when we work hard, behave honestly, and do our best that someone else should get the promotion? How is it that when we work hard to make a bad situation better that people can become angry with us?
We must always remember that this world is not neutral. It is always at work against God’s kingdom, and God’s kingdom advances, “when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.” (Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, Third Petition) Even in the midst of difficult and dangerous situations, the Lord is with us, as He was with Joseph. As we rely on Him and seek to live lives that are pleasing to Him we can count on Him being there to accomplish His goals in our lives. We can also face this world with confidence because we have God’s faithfulness and commitment displayed to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So keep your head up!
Father in Heaven, your faithfulness is amazing, but when life gets hard sometimes I forget You. Help me to walk in Your ways and trust in you in every circumstance for Jesus’ sake, Amen.
Potiphar was a captain of the guard for Pharaoh. He was a man of influence and power. With Joseph, his position improved. He was able to focus on his work and not worry about his household affairs. Joseph, basically ran everything. He reported to Potiphar and was accountable to him, but Potiphar was able to entrust everything to him.
It seems that Potiphar’s wife was also pleased with the addition of Joseph to the household staff, but for a different reason. She made it a priority to bed him. This may have been in order to control Joseph to get him to serve her over her husband, or it could have been for a more obvious reason – he was “hot.” I suspect that she was getting away with some extravagant living, and Joseph’s watchful care for his master’s earthly goods was restricting her lifestyle. Whatever the reason, Joseph honored God and Potiphar in his behavior.
It is interesting to take note of Potiphar’s response after his wife accused Joseph. Often slaves who displeased their masters were killed. Joseph was accused of one of the worst things a slave could do – sexually assaulting his master’s wife. It would make sense for Potiphar to have him executed for such and offense. However, he had him thrown into prison instead. The text says that Potiphar’s anger was kindled, but it does not say against whom; Joseph or his wife. And the prison Joseph was thrown into was not just any flea infested dung heap. It was Pharaoh’s prison. This would at least imply that Potiphar suspected the truth behind his wife’s charges.
For us this chapter hi-lights the fact that when we make the right choice it does not always work out in the way we’d expect. How is it that by behaving morally and uprightly that Joseph should end up in prison? How is it that when we speak the truth in love we should be “punished” by those who do not like our message? How is it that when we work hard, behave honestly, and do our best that someone else should get the promotion? How is it that when we work hard to make a bad situation better that people can become angry with us?
We must always remember that this world is not neutral. It is always at work against God’s kingdom, and God’s kingdom advances, “when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.” (Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, Third Petition) Even in the midst of difficult and dangerous situations, the Lord is with us, as He was with Joseph. As we rely on Him and seek to live lives that are pleasing to Him we can count on Him being there to accomplish His goals in our lives. We can also face this world with confidence because we have God’s faithfulness and commitment displayed to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So keep your head up!
Father in Heaven, your faithfulness is amazing, but when life gets hard sometimes I forget You. Help me to walk in Your ways and trust in you in every circumstance for Jesus’ sake, Amen.
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