Genesis 39
Genesis 39 deals, in particular, with Joseph’s life in Egypt—his life in the house of Potiphar and in prison. This chapter can be divided into service in Potiphar’s house (verses 1-6), Potiphar’s wife’s temptation and false accusation (verses 7-20), service in prison (verses 21-23). Although Joseph’s circumstances keep changing, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes that “Jehovah is with Joseph.” Even in a harsh environment and under an unfair charge, Joseph continues to act faithfully without wavering.
1verseJoseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there.
2verseThe LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3verseHis master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand.
4verseJoseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5verseFrom the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. The LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.
6verseHe left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome.
7verseAfter these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”
8verseBut he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand.
9verseNo one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
10verseAs she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11verseAbout this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside.
12verseShe caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.
13verseWhen she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside,
14verseshe called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.
15verseWhen he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
16verseShe laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.
17verseShe spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me,
18verseand as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
19verseWhen his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled.
20verseJoseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody.
21verseBut the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22verseThe keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it.
23verseThe keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it prosper.
Summary of the Main Points
- Potiphar’s house (verses 1-6): Sold to Midianite merchants, Joseph is taken into the house of Potiphar, the captain of the king’s guard, as a servant. As God is with Joseph, he prospers, and Potiphar also trusts Joseph.
- Temptation and false accusation (verses 7-20): Potiphar’s wife tempts Joseph, but Joseph strongly refuses, saying he will not commit sin before God. In the end, he is falsely accused and imprisoned.
- Life in prison (verses 21-23): Even after he is put in prison, God is with Joseph and makes him find favor with the chief jailer. Joseph is given the responsibility of caring for those who are incarcerated.
Overall Meaning and Reflection
Genesis 39 shows that God is with us even amid human misfortune and a frustrating situation. In Joseph’s life journey, it emphasizes that the measure of “success” is not simply whether the circumstances are good or bad, and that the greatest blessing is companionship with God. Joseph becomes a servant and a prisoner in a foreign land, separated from his relatives, yet his faithfulness and integrity shine through. Through his life, believers are encouraged to reflect on what they should protect and live out before God in every moment, beyond their external circumstances.
Reflection Points
- Regardless of the situation and the outcome, do you believe that walking with God is the true “prosperity” of your life?
- Consider how you can act faithfully in the face of a decisive temptation or an unfair situation.
- By looking at the place and attitude where Joseph served, reflect on what specific ways you can reveal faithfulness in your daily life.
Personal Application
- Even if the environment you are in right now is difficult or hard to understand, check whether you have the courage to trust God’s will and commit it to Him.
- When you encounter temptation, let us look again at what your convictions and standards are before God, and make a decision.
- Even in small matters, choose one action for today and practice it so that you can carry out faithfulness and honesty.
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