In Egyptian land- Meanwhile Joseph is now in Egypt, a land alien to him, filled with inhabitants speaking a different dialect, observing peculiar customs, and worshipping strange gods. From being his father’s favorite, he is now reduced to a derogatory position of a slave. Yet God has not abandoned Joseph. He is always in control of every situation, positive or negative. Joseph is sold into the house of an influential man in Egypt, Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guards.

The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man……...the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hands (Genesis 39:2-3). Joseph is eventually spared from arduous, menial labour and elevated as an overseer of his master’s entire property. Through Joseph, the Lord blesses the Egyptian household. But another fiery trial awaits Joseph.

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Trials and temptations- Young Joseph has now matured into a handsome and good-looking adult (V 39:7). Potiphar’s wife starts making advances at him; imploring him to lie with her. Joseph however refuses to give in to her seductive attempts. On the contrary, he tries his best to reason with his mistress. ‘Look, with me here, my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my hand. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ (Genesis 39:8-9) But Potiphar’s wife disregards his advice. One day while her husband is away, she seizes the opportunity to seduce Joseph but he flees from the scene, leaving his cloak behind.

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Vice v/s Virtue-This is one trial where Joseph proves his mettle. Day in and day out, he faces temptation from a woman of authority, most likely of considerable beauty too, yet he stands his ground. He proves that he is a man of courage and integrity, who fears God above all. He chooses to obey his conscience, irrespective of the consequences rather than sin against God. What a splendid example, Joseph has set before us in our struggle against sin and temptations!! We need to persevere in our battle for purity and holiness and flee from every occasion of sin. 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself.

 

Imprisonment- As expected, his master swallows the lies concocted by his wife and has Joseph thrown in prison. Humiliation and a time of rigorous labor await Joseph in prison. But God has not deserted him. The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer……… and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper (Genesis 39:21-23). Joseph’s obedient, composed nature wins over even the chief jailer who puts him in charge of the prisoners. The words ‘everything that Joseph does prospers’ are repeated once again in the scriptures. God’s favor rests mightily on Joseph.

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Joseph interprets two dreams- It so happens, that the chief cupbearer and the chief baker are thrown in the same prison as Joseph, for having offended Pharaoh-the king of Egypt. Both are besieged by dreams which perplex them. Joseph interprets the dreams, prophesying favorable tidings for the cupbearer and doom for the chief baker. Events turn out exactly as per Joseph’s prophecy; with the Chief cupbearer restored to his former position and the chief baker hanged. But the time for Joseph’s liberation has not yet come. The cupbearer forgets to put in a good word in favor of Joseph’s release to the king.

 

The all-knowing, all mighty God has a time and a purpose for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1) - A time for captivity and a time for liberation. For Joseph it means an additional time in the furnace of suffering (Sirach 2:5).