Genesis 39:1- And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither
Do you think Joseph missed his family? Do you think he felt lonely? Do you think he was really alone?
Well, he wasn't! God was watching over Joseph. He had something very important planned for Joseph, but Joseph had to learn a few things first.
Genesis 39:2- And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Did you know that when you live for the Lord, other people around you can see it? They can. They may not be saved, or even know the Lord, but they know that something is different with you.
Genesis 39:3- And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
When someone sees that you serve the Lord, that you work hard, and that you can be trusted, they will treat you well.
Genesis 39:4-5- And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
Potipher knew that Joseph would work hard and do right.
Genesis 39:6- And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Joseph was learning some very valuable things as a servant. He could manage a large house with servants. He could make sure that everything was accounted for and that everything ran the way it should.
This was very important for Joseph to learn! He needed this ability for the special purpose that God had for his future.
When God is with you, not only do the good people see that, but the bad people see that as well. The devil likes to use these bad people to try and make us sin, fall, falter, quit, or whatever he can to mess us up.
Genesis 39:7- And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
Potipher's wife was not a good person. She wanted to pretend like she was married with Joseph. Do you think Joseph would do wrong?
Genesis 39:8-9- But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Joseph wasn't going to do wrong because he realized one very important thing- all sin is against God. The God that was protecting him, the God that was watching over him, this sin would not only hurt Potipher, but God!
Do you think that was it? Do you think his troubles were over? Nope. The devil never stops trying to make us sin.
Genesis 39:10- And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
She kept bugging Joseph every day! Then she decided to go one step further!
Genesis 39:11-12- And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
She decided she was going to make him. She grabbed him and tried to force him. But Joseph was determined to do right! He slipped out of his coat and ran!
Mrs. Potipher was angry! So angry that she wanted to get rid of Joseph.
Genesis 39:13-15- And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
She lied and said that Joseph was trying to hurt her. She told all the servants of the house that he was evil! And then, she told the same lie to Potipher.
Genesis 39:16-18- And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
What a terrible woman! Do you know what Potipher did?
Genesis 39:19-20- And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
Potipher threw Joseph into prison.
Poor Joseph! He must've been very upset. But, where was God? Wasn't God watching over him?
Yes, God was there.
Genesis 39:21- But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
There was just one more thing that Joseph needed to learn to be able to do the important job that God had for him, but he couldn't learn that in Potipher's house. He could only learn that in the Egyptian prison.
