Genesis 39:1

Genesis 39;1 says, And 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.  Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.  Joseph was being removed farther from the people of Israel, the people through whom God had chosen to reveal Himself to the world.  If we are enslaved by the things of this world, we will only get farther and farther away from God.  Verse two states, And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  Fortunately, even though Joseph was separated from God's people, he was not separated from God.  No matter how far we get away from God and His people physically, we are never really out of God's presence.  God blessed Joseph and made him prosper in Potipher's house.  God did not set Joseph free from slavery, but blessed him where he was.  Even if God does not change our circumstances, He will bless us where we are if we allow Him to.  Verse three declares, And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  Potipher realized that God was with Joseph and was causing him to prosper.  We need to pray that people will realize that God is with us today, no matter our circumstances, if we are followers of Christ.  Verse four adds, And 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.  Joseph found grace in Potipher's sight, and was put in charge of all of Potipher's house.  Had Joseph been sitting around feeling sorry for himself this would have never happened.  We cannot allow our situation in the world to turn us bitter, but must always do our best to show God to the world wherever we are.  Verse five says, And 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.  God blessed Potipher for Joseph's sake.  Joseph was still a slave.  I wonder how often do we prevent other people from being blessed by God because of our attitude toward them.  Verse six states, And 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.  Potipher entrusted Joseph's with everything that he had in his household.  Joseph was a good person and did not take advantage of his position.  Of course, being a good person is not enough if we do not know God in a personal relationship through faith in Christ.  Verse seven declares, And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  When things were going well with Joseph, Potipher's wife noticed him and asked him to engage in a sexual relationship with her.  As a slave still, Joseph could have thought why not.  He could have seen this as God just adding to his blessings.  Verse eight states, But 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;  Joseph refused her and remained faithful to Potipher.  Even if something may be tempting, if it is against God's law we must refuse it and remain faithful to God.  Verse nine continues, There 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?  Joseph said that Potipher had not held anything back from him except for his wife, and to be involved with her would be a sin.  When we are tempted by anything, no matter how appealing it may be, we must first ask if it is a sin against God, and if so how can we do it.  Verse ten states,  And 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.  Joseph refusal and and statement of loyalty to Potipher did not stop Potipher's wife from continuing to tempt Joseph.  When we stand firm for God, the temptations of the world may get worse instead of better, but we must never give in.