Chapter 38 of Genesis is lively reading, to say the least. Seriously, Hollywood couldn't make this stuff up if they tried! I find myself thinking that the Bible should come with some "parental guidance" ratings in a few places, or at least a pre-requisite in Sex-Ed! I'm not going to comment on this chapter, because honestly, other than what my Bible study notes say, I don't understand enough of what's taken place here to warrant a comment from me. But, because the Word of God is living and active, I know that there are many significant things going on in this chapter. A great thing about reading the entire Bible in chronological order is that somewhere down the line, eventually all the dots will connect. I believe that all of the Word of God fits together like a hand in a glove, albeit a REALLY BIG hand and glove!
Chapter 39 starts out where chapter 37 ended, with Joseph being sold to an Egyptian master named Potiphar, who happened to be an officer of Pharaoh. Quickly we can see the evidence of the blessing again, as everything that Joseph touches "turns to gold" for his master. The Egyptian was blessed by God just because Joseph was working for him! Joseph was so trusted by his boss that he was given all household authority by Potiphar, and everything Potiphar owned was in Joseph's charge. What are the chances of a young slave ending up with that kind of responsibility?
Potiphar's wife (who is un-named) thinks Joe's pretty hot....but he's not falling for it. Most likely she wasn't too bad herself, and may have been quite a temptation for Joseph. Obviously this man's got integrity and every time she pursues him, he resists her. Wow, ask any guy and I think they would tell you, that had to be some miserable working conditions when she was around!
Apparently, Mrs. Potiphar wasn't used to not getting what she wanted, so in retaliation for her rejection by Joseph, she devises a scheme to make it look like Joseph had tried to rape her. Her little plan works and when her husband Potiphar learns of the "unfaithfulness" of his servant, Joseph is cast into the prison. Wow, talk about being falsely accused!
I find it interesting that in this chapter we don't hear any cries of "I didn't do it!" from Joseph's mouth...but we do hear about God's steadfast love for him. God's favor and blessing were all over Joseph, and once again, he was put in charge. But this time of all the prisoners. It would appear in the natural that Joseph had no shortage of leadership skills, but the last verse in this chapter tells us the real reason he succeeds: The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Nowadays, we hear considerable teaching about the "favor of God". We see that it was very real in the Old Testament, but what about today? The New Testament has much to say about favor and blessing for the believer in Christ...but I guess I'm jumping the gun by about 9 months. I'll try to slip it in whenever I can though...because as we know, everything I'm reading here in the Old Testament is pointing to Christ and His blessing of Grace on us! (Don't get me started, or I'll be here all night!)
My last chapter today was number 40. Joseph proves to be very multi-talented, to say the least. He's not only an amazing leader, but he interprets dreams as well. (Well, let me clarify that, in vs. 8 he says, "do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me" , we know he wasn't insinuating that he was God, but he is giving the credit for this unusual ability to God Almighty.) He easily interprets the dreams of two men who Pharaoh had recently cast into Prison, and both dreams come to pass exactly as Joseph said they would.
Pharaoh's Cup Bearer fares very well with the dream he has and gets back into Pharaoh's good graces, and back to working in the Palace. But unfortunately for the Baker, he doesn't care for Joseph's interpretation of his dream because he ends up hanged by Pharaoh. (Poor guy, at least he had a little foreknowledge of his impending doom, for whatever that is worth!)
In this chapter we finally see Joseph proclaiming his innocence to the Cup Bearer and requests that he remember Joseph to the Pharaoh when he's back in the palace. Unfortunately the Cup Bearer didn't make good on his promise (yet) and Joseph spends the next two years waiting and wondering when he will be vindicated. I imagine that God must have seemed very silent to Joseph, but as we will soon discover, God's been working behind the scenes to bring His amazing plan of restoration to pass. It was a plan that had been in the making long before Joseph ever ended up in prison, and for that matter, long before he was ever born! Good things are always in store for those who put their trust in the true God. He takes what the devil means for destruction and turns it into something beautiful, for those who love Him, and for those who are called according to His purposes.
Joseph's life seemed like one huge roller coaster ride. One day he's up, the next day he's down. But through it all he remained faithful to his God, and God always remained faithful to him....oh, sorry, I don't want to spoil the story....but then you probably already know. Joseph's life ends up above and beyond anything he could ever have hoped for. He's vindicated all right, by the mighty hand of God! Nobody does it better!
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