Joseph the Servant

We have all faced occasions when someone says to us “well, there’s good news and there’s bad news”.  Joseph faced a lot of that once he arrived in Egypt.  Gen. 39 begins by telling us that the Lord was with Joseph, although when he first arrived at the slave auction, it may have been a challenge for him to remember that was true.  The substance and demonstration of his faith even as a young man tells us he likely knew God was controlling events even when it didn’t look like it.  Gen. 39:3 tells us the Lord was with him (repeated four times in this chapter), and mention of the name “Yahweh” occurs seven times in the chapter as a strong reminder His being in the center of the action. Potiphar apparently observed Joseph directly and chose him to be his servant.  It seems that Joseph was already exercising a deep confidence in the loving care of a faithful God and as he took to the tasks assigned to him by Potiphar, he demonstrated a godly, disciplined character that resulted in honorable and successful results.  He proved faithful in the menial tasks first assigned, and that led to increasing responsibilities until in the end he was the “top man in charge” in Potiphar’s house – amazing!  Then more bad news snuck up on him, beginning with his catching the eye of Potiphar’s wife. One way or another, when bad news hits us, we are challenged to rise above the circumstances, discover and demonstrate God-honoring purpose and success.  Joseph’s faith in God and his godly character enabled him to see past the circumstances and even do right in the midst of the circumstances. We have much to learn from this great leader of our faith.

Please pause here and open your Bible and read through Genesis 39-41 in one sitting before you continue on through this Bible Study.

Sold!

After several days in that dark pit, crying out for help, weeping before God, Joseph is suddenly lifted out of that prison only to be placed into another.  The brothers devised a plan of lie upon lie and proceeded to negotiate with the traders for a profitable exchange for their brother Joseph.  Was it just happenstance that brought that caravan along right at that moment? No, we can be sure it is the sovereign at work of God, not only in the lives of Jacob and his family, but especially for Joseph.  God had a great work to do through him, and the long trip down to Egypt gave him time to realize that was happening.  Note that on his arrival in Egypt, Joseph gained the attention of officials related to the house of Potiphar, second in command to Pharaoh.   God chose not to inspire Moses to record what must have been very interesting details for how things transpired, but it is safe to conclude that God had not forgotten Joseph – he was safe in His hands!

These early days of Joseph’s time in Egypt must have been a whirlwind.  Having first been acquired as a servant for Potiphar, his integrity and industriousness quickly caught his master’s eye and this resulted in rapid promotion in the household.  The Joseph story becomes a notably extended narrative and commentary centered on God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.  Note the similarity of this story to those of Ruth and Esther.  Just to confirm, Joseph was about 18 when he was taken by the traders, and he was about 30 when he was made second in command by Pharaoh.

From the Palace to Prison

Genesis 39, Caught in a Trap but Not Really — Joseph took the challenging place God had put him in seriously, he was after all still a slave.  However he conducted himself honorably and succeeded with every assigned task.  He had gained Potiphar’s trust and was given management of his whole household, but as sometimes proves true, personal success doesn’t guarantee us a perfect life, or that we won’t be tempted to sin.  Joseph ended up paying a heavy price for his purity in an evil world, for his increasing visibility in Potiphar’s house also put him into the sights of Potiphar’s wife who was clearly given over to immoral living.  He was likely in his mid-twenties by this time and, while we know he certainly had already been tested with great trials, the temptation of lust would have been severe. The woman did everything she could think of to coerce him to succomb to her, and when that all failed, she concocted a series of events that caught Joseph unprepared in his innocence and trapped him in false guilt.

Her advances began to close in on Joseph while he was carrying himself about as a godly, responsible man, although committed to avoiding compromise with her, he was trapped by her self-serving scheme.  His godly self-control protected him from personal failure, but it couldn’t protect him from human attack.  After her loud accusations arouse the entire palace, Joseph is confronted by Potiphar, who was persuaded by his wife and believed her, and which put Joseph in a seriously threatened position.  Joseph was caught in Satan’s evil snare and Potiphar had no choice but to put him in prison.  But once more, the Scripture reminds us that “the Lord was with Joseph”, showed him mercy (Gen. 39:21) and raised him up from what we all would have viewed as “very bad news”.  Joseph was introduced to a new place where he could honor God and experience good news.

We could interview many prisoners about how they could possibly find a happy life in prison, and we would likely conclude there is very little hope that it’s possible.  Yet Joseph’s character and heart for God enabled him to have great peace and even comfort in what could have been a desperate situation.  He resolved to “do right”, and he found success even in the midst of “bad news”.  Gen. 39:22-23 tells of the positive interactions Joseph had with the master of the prison, so that Joseph was given oversight for all the prisoners.  As Joseph took over these responsibilities, instead of self-pity, he reached out to care for others and God prospered everything he did.  He continued to demonstrate integrity and God-enabled wisdom.  Imagine the emotions this young man had — it is interesting to think of how well Joseph must have exuded his God-enabled competence in his own work and the ability to lead others to competence as well.  Under life-threatening circumstances with Potiphar, in a foreign land very far from home, now in prison, Joseph is watching God do good things in his daily work.

Bible Study Journal – In what verse(s) would you say are the most important character trait Joseph exhibited in this chapter?

More Dreams, More Opportunities to let God be God

God now leads Joseph on to consider the good and bad news in other peoples lives.  He must have had a very kind, engaging way of conversation.  Apparently he actually listened when people talked with him, never looking at his watch or phone… hmmm.  Genesis 40-41 reads a little like a fiction novel as it takes us along with Joseph as he handles these events in the prison.  It starts with the delivery of two new prisoners of some notable prominence in Pharaoh’s house, the butler (cupbearer) and the baker, men who would have had the highlest levels of trustworthiness, but for some reason both were guilty of offending Pharaoh.  The “captain of the guard”, probably Potiphar (39:1), puts them under Joseph’s supervision to oversee their care (40:4), pending final verdict of their penalty.  Then the story takes a turn towards the mysterious ways of God.  Although we are aware of Joseph’s history with dreams, these men had no idea as they both had unusual dreams which they ended up sharing with Joseph.  We have the privilege through God’s revealed Word to stand back and observe the unexpected and unexplainable work of God in these three mens’ lives.  In describing these chapters, one Bible commentator (Wolf) said it right by observing “rarely has God’s providence been so evident in such an extended passage.”

Sometimes bad news can become good news in the hands of God.  Romans 8:28-29 explains the “God causes all things to work together for good.”  Joseph certainly qualified for that benefit as he was one who loved God and was “called according to His purpose.”  Joseph was in Egypt, and in prison, by God’s design.  He could claim with Paul “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31)  God enabled Joseph to provide explanations to both the butler and the baker, good news to the butler, bad news to the baker.  The dramatic storyline crafted by God Himself continues as the baker and butler, likely distinguished men in their own right, encountered the young Joseph, who now stands tall as manager of the prisoners.  They knew his story, bought as a slave, made administrator of the house, including them, and then accused by Potiphar’s wife.  When first introduced to their prison manager, they probably looked at Joseph with doubt or utter scorn.  Joseph’s early interactions with his two distinguised prisoners apparently were likely done in such a godly way that they developed a positive regard for him.  Their dreams disturbed them a lot, Gen. 40:6 says that Joseph found them “dejected”.  They had already discovered that they both had these unusual dreams on the same night, and now worse, they had no way to get to an interpreter.  Their Egyptian upbringing would have them superstitious and fearful of evil spirits causing them harm, and they desperately wanted protection and deliverance from  those demons.  Joseph pointed them to the One True God (40:8) as the only possible source of true understanding and opened to them his ability to serve their need.  As you read this chapter, you see that each man tells Joseph his dream, and Joseph explains God’s interpretation.  We are reminded that God will sometimes reveal His providence through an unbeliver’s dream (compare Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 & 4). They both will be called back up from prison, the butler will be restored to his position by Pharaoh, but the baker will die.  As he tells the interpretation to the butler,  he asks that he remember him and recommend his release to Pharaoh.  The chapter closes with Pharaoh doing just as Joseph predicted, but the butler forgets to mention Joseph.  Joseph’s “hope was in the Lord”, not in man, and God did not forget Joseph.

Bible Study Journal – God allowed Joseph to be put in prison for His purpose.  What ways did this experience prepare Joseph for the future?

From Prison to Deliverer

Genesis 41, Pharaoh Dreams, God Remembers —  Two years after the butler is restored by Pharaoh, God prompts him to remember his friend Joseph.  God has caused Pharaoh to have two dreams (Gen. 41:1-7), and is frustrated that none of his assembled experts and diviners could suggest an interpretation.  God’s divine entry into man’s affairs occurs once again as he prompts the butler to remind Pharaoh of Joseph’s previous interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams.  Pharaoh’s respect for the butler prompted him to call Joseph into his presence immediatly.  Picture how Joseph must have felt as he was informed of the call from Pharaoh.

As he enters the royal hall as a thirty year old man (Gen. 41:46), he finds Pharaoh perturbed at his inability to have an interpretation for his dreams provided.  As MacArthur describes it, the stage was now set for Joseph’s entrance onto the scene of Egyptian history.  It is worth noting that there are many secular historical events recorded in the Bible but also validated by secular historical documents written in the same time period.  This is a good example of that, as Joseph became a very noteworthy individual in Egypt’s history, literally rescuing them from widespread disaster by famine.

Gen. 41:37-57, Joseph Takes Charge (again) — God has revealed to Pharaoh that there will be a severe famine in seven years, but he has seven years to prepare (even Pharaoh gets good news and bad news).  Joseph’s substantial and thorough recommendations to Pharaoh in order to prepare for the famine and then handle the provisions when the famine occurs impress Pharaoh greatly (41:37).  Looking at his impressive advisors, he asks “Where are we going to find the man to run this program?”  But then he answers his own question by turning to Joseph.  This young man, chosen by God “for such a time as this” (Esther), stands above all the rest and accepts the work God has for him to accomplish. It is amazing to see the authority Joseph was given over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself, even gave him his signet ring as an instrument of his authority.

It is helpful for us to do a little reading between the lines.  Pharaoh gave Joseph his authority politically, but God was his real source of placement and empowerment.  His Holy Spirit was upon Joseph, and Joseph’s character and preparation through difficult times enabled him to serve God and Pharaoh with great success.  When we pursue God, seek to be faithful to Him in our life, He will work to bring us to the right place where we can live for Him.  He will be our strength and guide, by His Holy Spirit.

Bible Study Journal

Genesis 41 serves as a great testimony to God’s sovereignty as He moves to establish Joseph as Deliverer not only for his family, but ultimately for the people of Israel, not to mention Egypt as well.  It is an amazing demonstration of God’s sovereignty and power, right up there with the Exodus, deliverance under Esther, and the Resurrection!  In your Journal, scan through each of these verses and note the remarkable evidence of God’s hand in each:

• 41:1-7 – God causes Pharoah to…
• 41:8-9  – Pharaoh’s advisors…
• 41:9-13 – The butler now “remembers… “
• 41:14-15 – Pharaoh calls…  and Joseph gives “an answer of …”
• 41:25-32 – Joseph’s interpretation reveals…
• 41:33 – Joseph continues by advising how to…
• 41:38 – Pharaoh responds by asking…

Some further thoughts…

• Why do you think Pharaoh wanted Joseph to take charge?
• How does Romans 8 relate to Joseph’s experience and answer the questions we have about how God guides and empowers us?

(Note:  Bible quotes are from the New American Standard translation.)

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