King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 11 notes
1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
Barely a few generations ago, Abraham, Joseph’s great-grandfather, was with this Pharaoh’s great-grandfather.
They negotiated on equal terms. Indeed he feared Abraham the Hebrew.
Now barely a few generations, and Abraham’s progeny has been sold to Pharaoh’s.
Oh how different things would be if they both knew this... Oh if only we had a historical perspective and revelation.
Our lives would be so much better.
We bypass our miracle and inheritance daily but do not even know it.
Rather we may end up begging for crumbs.
SMH 🤦♂️ this life.
This trade of Poti-pherah was to change his life forever.
2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
And indeed, like his father Jacob, Joseph was blessed in all that he did. O LORD, make me like one of these.
Joseph was not just hardworking or intelligent.
No — whatever he did, there seemed to be some divine element that made him prosper.
His kind of prosperity was so divine that his master could tell that God was with him.
4And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Joseph had become to Potiphar what Eliezer was to Abraham.
What kind of man was Joseph — he was blessed by the 'gods' so supernaturally that he prospered in everything.
And he was also very handsome, and with all this he had such high moral standards.
He had it all.
7And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
As all this was going on, God was very much aware, watching.
12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
They knew the Hebrews at this time.
Because of how great their fathers were: these men from the other side who dwelt in tents and had much riches because of their trade and shepherding skills.
Centuries had passed and the Hebrews had etched their name in the sands of time with men like Abraham and Isaac.
15And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
16And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
17And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
Is this the usual way a servant who attempts to have his way with your wife is treated?
I think Potiphar knew who his wife was. Or at least, between Joseph and his wife, he knew he was not hearing the whole truth.
But then how could he keep Joseph around with such an allegation hanging around him?
He had to imprison him and keep his own home.
I can also imagine the politics and joy of those who hated this slave who suddenly had it all going well for him.
20And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
Is this the usual place Potiphar kept servants...
This was a political prison. Or, though a servant, could Joseph have risen that high in the social status and ladder?
I doubt 🤷♂️ not
21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.
There was something about Joseph: whatever he did prospered. No wonder his father loved him. I think he stood out from his brethren in character and honesty. No wonder the Lord chose him to use him to be the deliverer of his people.