Genesis Chapter 39
Imagine what it must have felt like to be Joseph who was abandoned by his family and sold to merchants on their way to Egypt. Joseph’s brothers were well aware that Joseph would be sold into slavery, but they were just happy to be rid of him. Joseph would have been scared not knowing what was going to happen to him. And there would have been a language barrier making it difficult for him to learn what they were planning to do with him.
But God had not forgotten about Joseph. God was with him. Joseph was purchased by Potiphar who was an officer, a captain of the Pharoah of Egypt. Potiphar would have had a position like our modern day S.A.I.C. Agent (Special Agent in Charge). The man in charge of the security detail, the Secret Service for the President of the United States. Joseph was the property of this type of important Egyptian man. And it wasn’t long before the good character of Joseph was seen that Joseph was put in charge of all things in this man’s personal house. The Bible tells us why Joseph was favored so much. Genesis 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
Let's Reflect
1. What did Joseph’s master notice about him?
2. Potiphar could see the hand of blessing from God on the life of Joseph. What did God cause to happen for Potiphar since he put Joseph in charge?
3. What does verse 5 tell us about the extent of the blessing of God on Potiphar’s life?
4. Potiphar took advantage of Joseph’s good management of his household. You could say that Potiphar “kicked back and let Joseph do all the work for him.” The only work that Potiphar had to do for himself was lift the food off his plate to his mouth. How much did Potiphar trust Joseph?
5. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a handsome young man. This was noticed by someone in particular. Who?
6. There was probably a good chance that Joseph could have gotten away with lying with this woman. He knew it would be wrong to take advantage of the situation, defying his master (Potiphar), and he was not about to do what according to verse 9?
7. Joseph remained honorable and refused to do what the woman wanted. Did she forget about Joseph?
8. To escape this man’s wife on one particular day, he had to flee leaving his garment that she had snagged in her hand. What lie did she formulate after screaming for attention?
9. Did Potiphar believe the story of his wife? What did he do to Joseph?
10. Most generally the story would end there, or end with an execution. But according to verse 21 Joseph’s story did not end. What happened to him?
