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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Genesis 39:6
“So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.”
Oh, that this could be said of me.
We begin to see the pattern of Joseph’s life.
He becomes Jacob’s favourite son, given special privileges and then he is taken by his brothers and thrown in a pit. He is lifted out of the pit, sold as a slave and taken to Egypt. He is bought by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, left in charge of all he owned and then falsely accused and thrown in prison.
Then he is made the leading ‘trustee’, responsible for everything that was done in the jail of the King’s prisoners. Up down, up down, up down. As we shall see, it’s not over yet.
What sort of man is Joseph? He is certainly not the normal ‘run of the mill’ man. His physique was obviously very eye-catching but God looks at the heart and character of each one of us and He looked at Joseph’s. What did He see?
How would you feel if your family misunderstood you? After all, the dream was ‘given’ to you; you didn’t ask for it and you didn’t make it up. Because of that, those who should love you mistreat you. Then you are thrown into a deep pit, roughly pulled out, tied up and sold to foreigners who take you – as far as you are concerned – to the furthest ends of the earth, far away from everything you love and hold dear. You’ve already lost your mother and now you may never see your father or loved ones again.
How would you feel? Bitter, resentful and revengeful?
They were the family traits. Why shouldn’t Joseph react the same way?
The record says, “The Lord was with Joseph”.
If that was true, why did everything go wrong? (Or appear to?)
Joseph speaks to us as one who had a phenomenal character and also gives us an example to follow. We all have to make choices about our character. We would do well to copy Joseph. There is more to him yet.
Even in the worst position his integrity was so strong that Potiphar was able and pleased to trust him with everything he had. What a temptation to most of us.
I think today’s verse is one of the most dramatic in all Scripture. What a fantastic testimony. Potiphar left everything in his care so that all he had to worry about was what to eat. Not even his clothes. Joseph was totally trustworthy.
Oh, how I would love that to be said of me – as a child – as an employee – in my ministry – in every area of responsibility entrusted to me.
How trustworthy are you? Take a moment to ask yourself – how do you compare with Joseph?
Then Joseph had another test. Probably the hardest for all potential leaders. The challenge of easy sex. He didn’t have to seek it or ask for it. It was offered to him ‘on a plate’, ‘free of charge’ day after day. This wasn’t a one-night stand. This went on day after day after day. They were on their own – who would know? No one would find out.
Joseph, however, knew his God – his omniscient, omnipresent God and he knew he also had to live with his own conscience, let alone any consequences.
How many mighty men have fallen over immorality?
Joseph maintains his integrity. Well done, Joseph.
But wait a minute, what happens next? Not a prize but jail and disgrace. Does he protest his innocence? Does he get bitter?
He could have done both. He does neither, but through his integrity becomes the most trusted person in the prison.
How’s your integrity? Be honest.
Let Joseph challenge you to hold out for gold.
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