Genesis 40:1

Genesis 40:1 says, And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.  Two of the kings servants offended him, his butler and his baker.  The king had complete authority over them, so it wasn't good to offend him.  The king was not at all concerned with what was best for them, but only with what pleased him.  Although God has control over the universe, He never acts out of anger when we as followers of Christ, His servants, don't please Him, but acts out of love.  Of course God reaches out to everyone with His love, but those who refuse to accept Christ and their Savior and Lord will one day feel His wrath, but that will not be based on an arbitrary act of displeasure.  Verse two states, And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.  Verse three adds, And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.  The king, or Pharaoh was very angry at these two, though we are not told what they did, so he threw them in prison.  Fortunately for us, when we make God angry, He still wants to set us free from our sins and restore us to Him.  The choice of suffering punishment for our sins is always ours, because of God's graceful gift of salvation.  Verse four declares, And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.  These two servants were placed under Joseph's authority.  They were there for a season, at least a few months.  We are not told what they were doing during this time, but I am sure that it was quite a step down from their position in the Pharaoh's household.  If we are imprisoned by sin, no matter what we may be doing, even if we are very successful in the world, it is a step down from what we would be if we were serving God faithfully.  Verse five adds, And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.  The butler and the baker both had a dream the same night.  Dreams at that time were viewed as more than just some random thoughts of the mind and were often treated as views of the future.  Some people today view them the same way.  Even though God can speak to us through dreams, not all dreams are God speaking to us.  I believe that God will let us know without a doubt when He is speaking to us.  Verse six states, And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.  Joseph knew them enough to know that they were sad for some reason the next morning.  Joseph could have just viewed them as two prisoners under his authority without having any real concern for them, but evidently he went beyond that and really got to know them.  We need to have that same caring attitude about the people around us today.  Verse seven adds, And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?  Joseph didn't just note the fact that they were sad, but asked them why they were.  The easiest thing for Joseph to do would have been to simply tell them to go to work, but he had a real concern for them.  I wonder how often we overlook those in need because it is simpler to just go about everyday life without getting involved.  As followers of Christ, we should have compassion for those around us and be willing to reach out to them with compassion when we see them in need, even if it is a lot easier to just ignore them.  Verse eight states, And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.  They told Joseph that they had both dreamed a dream and had no interpreter.  Joseph asked them if interpretations did not belong to God.  Joseph did not say that he could give them the answer, but that God could.  We cannot put the emphasis on ourselves when people come to us with problems, but should always give God the credit if we are able to help them.

Genesis 39:19

Genesis 39:19 says, And 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.  Potipher heard what his wife said and he was very angry at Joseph.  Evidently, Potipher had no reason to doubt his wife, and therefore he would have certainly felt betrayed by Joseph.  She seemed to have proof of her accusations as well.  I don't believe we can blame Potipher for feeling as he did, but he might have asked himself if Joseph were really the type person who would do such thing, but sometimes people's public image will fool us.  Also, we need to realize that people seldom make the best decisions when they are very angry.  Verse twenty states, And 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.  Potipher put Joseph in the king's prison.  Potipher was in a position where he could have just executed Joseph.  As a slave, Joseph had very few rights, and he had been accused of a very bad thing, so in some respects Potipher was being merciful to Joseph.  I am not sure that Joseph really saw it that way through.  Once again, through no fault of his own, Joseph found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation.  I believe that he would have really been questioning his dreams by now.  Joseph had to have felt especially bad since he ended up in prison because he was doing the right thing in the situation.  If anyone had a right to be bitter, it was Joseph.  If we find ourselves in a situation where we are tempted to sin, even if it would bring us pleasure that we might justify, we must stand firm for God.  If we are falsely accused and punished, we must never become bitter and waiver in our faith.  Verse twenty-one declares, But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  When his brothers threw Joseph in the pit and sold him into slavery, God was with him.  When Joseph was in Potipher's house, God was with him.  Now, in prison, God was with him.  What we need to realize above everything else is that, as followers of Christ, wherever we are, no matter if our situation is good or bad, God is with us.  God showed mercy to Joseph and Joseph found favor in the sight of the prison guard.  We are even more blessed, because through our faith in Christ, we find mercy with the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-two says, And 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.  Joseph was once again put in a position of authority where he was.  He was not freed from the prison, and by now could have decided to simply take advantage of the situation, but we know that he didn't.  We cannot allow circumstances to cause us to become bitter and self-centered.  Verse twenty-three declares, The 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.  The keeper of the prison was not concerned about anything Joseph did.  We are told that this was because the LORD was with Joseph and made what he did to prosper.  The question is whether the keeper recognized that God was at work through Joseph or not.  We, as followers of Christ, should live in such a way that others recognize that there is something different about us, whether they recognize it as the presence of God in our life our not.  Wherever we are, no matter our circumstances, as Christians we are blessed by God and He will cause us to prosper spiritually as long as we never lose faith in Him.  By now, Joseph could have had the attitude that nothing he did seemed to matter, so why bother, but he was still faithful in carrying out his duties.  Joseph had no evidence that by doing a good job he would somehow be freed from prison, but he did his best anyway.  As followers of Christ, all we can ever do is to do the best that we can whatever the situation so that God may be glorified.

Genesis 39:11

Genesis 39:11 says, And 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.  Joseph went into the house alone to conduct his business, and none of the other men were around.  Maybe he should have immediately left when he realized this, especially with Potipher's wife being like she was, but he did have business to attend to.  We, as followers of Christ, should try to never put ourselves in a compromising position, especially if we are already aware that there could be problems.  Verse twelve states, And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  Potipher's wife caught Joseph's garment and once again propositioned him.  She was determined to lead Joseph into a sinful situation, and he was just as determined not to commit this sin.  He chose to run to get out of the situation.  It is better to flee with nothing than to be seduced by sin.  Verse thirteen adds, And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,  Potipher's wife realized that Joseph had left his garment.  It seems that Joseph's garments were once more to be used to prove a lie.  I believe that Potipher's wife was probably anger that Joseph had once again refused her, and she saw the garment as a way to punish him, as we will see.  We should not be surprised when people of the world are unable get us to enter into a sinful situation that they may instead want to simply cause us trouble.  Verse fourteen declares, That 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:  Though I am sure that she was glad to be alone with Joseph a few minutes before, Potipher's wife now wanted the men of the house there, so she called them.  She said Joseph had attempted to have sexual relationships with her, and then she blamed Potipher for causing the problem.  Not only had Potipher brought Joseph into the house, but Joseph was a Hebrew, a foreigner.  We should never be surprised when someone attempts to blame others for their sins, but as followers of Christ, we should never do so.  Verse fifteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She claimed that she cried out and caused Joseph to flee without his garment.  The garment would be her proof.  Accusations of sexual misconduct are continually in the news today, and often there is no physical proof.  I personally believe that in most cases the accusations are most likely true, but we do know that some aren't, so it becomes a question of whom to believe.  I don't believe that we can accept some accusations and dismiss others simply because of whom the person is that is being accused.  Verse fifteen continues, And 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.  As just discussed, Potipher's wife used Joseph's garment to support her claim.  In this respect, it became more than a she said situation.  She seemingly had proof.  Verse sixteen states, And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.  Potipher's wife kept Joseph's garment until Potipher got home.  She was determined to cause problems for Joseph.  Verse seventeen says, And 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:  She began once more by laying the responsibility of her alleged attack on Potipher.  She reminded him that he had brought Joseph, this foreigner into the house.  It is not uncommon for people to attempt to blame their sins on anyone they can.  It was not enough to blame Joseph.  Potipher's wife wanted him to feel that he was responsible for what allegedly happened and make herself be the victim of both men.  Verse eighteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She repeated her lie to Potipher.  Hopefully, if anyone ever accuses us, as followers of Christ, of some sinful act it will have to be based on a lie, and we should always attempt to avoid situations where the lie might appear to be the truth.

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.

Genesis 38:20

Genesis 38:20 says, And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.  Judah attempted to fulfill his pledge, but his friend could not find the woman.  I am not sure what he told his friend, but evidently Judah did not want to go himself.  We cannot expect our friends to fulfill our obligations, especially spiritually ones.  Verse twenty-one states, Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.  We are told that the friend at least thought he knew that he was looking for a harlot, but not that he said why.  Those that he talked to may have thought that he owed the woman something.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.  The friend returned to Judah with news that could have been considered either good or bad.  The woman couldn't be found which could have been good, but she still had Judah's things, which could have been bad.  There is never an easy way to get out of a sinful situation without some cost, especially spiritually, and we must accept the responsibility for it individually.  Even though as followers of Christ we are forgiven of our sins, we must still accept the responsibility for them in order for them to be forgiven.  Verse twenty-three says, And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.  Judah basically said to just let things go, unless we be shamed.  His friend had done nothing to be shamed by, but too often we like Judah want to have our friends share the shame of our sins.  Verse twenty-four states, And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.  Three months later, word came to Judah that Tamar was pregnant, and he condemned her to be burned.  Judah was willing to pay a harlot that he had been with, but was ready to condemn his daughter-in-law to death.  Of course, Judah was as guilty of the same sin that he was condemning her for.  We are often more willing to see others condemned for their sins than we are to think that we should be condemned for ours.  Verse twenty-five declares, When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.  When Tamar was brought out to face the charges, she produced Judah's signet, bracelets, and staff and said the owner was the father of her child.  I don't know if other people recognized them, but Judah certainly did.  We can be certain that our sins will find us out, in the judgment of Christ if not before.  Verse twenty-six states, And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.  At least Judah acknowledged his guilt, even more than getting her pregnant.  He had not given Shelah to Tamar as her husband as he had promised.  If failure to live up to our promises leads someone else to sin, we cannot feel that they deserve to be punished more than we do.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.  Then verse twenty-eight adds, And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. Tamar gave birth to twins and the midwife put a scarlet ribbon on the wrist of what she thought would be the first born.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.  The other son was actually born first.  Then verse thirty concludes, And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.  I guess we could say that this was an unusual birth, but both sons were born and named.  We cannot always determine how events will play out in life, but as followers of Christ, we must always accept them as they happen.

Genesis 38:12

Genesis 38:12 says, And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.  Judah's wife died.  We are not told how long they had been married when this happened.  Matthew Henry said that Judah went up to his sheep shearers for a time of merriment after he buried his wife and was comforted.  We do know that life goes on after the death of a spouse, but a person may not be thinking as clearly as they should for awhile.  Verse thirteen states, And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.  Someone told Tamar that Judah had left.  We are not told how much time had passed since the death of her second husband, but she may have felt that Judah was not going to honor his promise to her to give his youngest son as her husband.  Matthew Henry says that some people believe that Tamar had accepted God as her God and wanted to possibly be in the lineage of the Messiah, which she was.  Still for whatever reason, she devised a plan to have a child with Judah.  Again, I don't believe that God wants us to use deception to accomplish His will, though He may sometimes work His will in spite of our deceptions.  Verse fourteen declares, And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.  Tamar saw that Shelah was grown and Judah had not fulfilled his promise to her, so she devised her own plan.  She put away her mourning clothes and dressed as a harlot and set in an open place on the way to Timnath, where she evidently knew that she would encounter Judah.  Verse fifteen adds, When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.  Judah saw her and didn't recognize her, possibly because he had simply dismissed her as a harlot.  He definitely was not looking at her with kindness and understanding, but simply as someone to be used.  When we encounter people who are doing bad things, we cannot just dismiss them as someone to be used or ignored.  Verse sixteen states, And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?  Judah asked Tamar to come to him for the purpose of having sexual relations with her, and she asked him what he would give her.  This would have reinforced the idea that she was a harlot.  Verse seventeen says, And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?  Judah promised her a kid from his flock, but Tamar asked for a pledge, something of value, to ensure that Judah would carry out his promise.  He had already made a promise to her once before.  Of course, Judah was not acting much like a man who was following God.  As followers of Christ, when we see people acting in a sinful way, we can either attempt to bring people up God, ignore them, or move down to their level ignoring God's guidance.  Verse eighteen adds, And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.  Judah asked Tamar what she wanted for a pledge, and she said his signet, bracelets and staff.  Judah had to put a little faith in her returning these things when he sent her the kid.  Verse nineteen declares, And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.  After being with Judah, Tamar again put on her garments of widowhood.  We cannot sin and then just go on as if nothing had happened, because no matter if anyone else ever knows or not, God does.  Christianity cannot be like a robe that we put on and take off when it stands between what we want and following God's will.

Genesis 38:1

Genesis 38:1 says, And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.  Jesus was born from the house, or descendants, of Judah.  This does not seem a likely family for the Messiah to be born from, as we shall see.  Verse two states,  And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.   While separated from his family, Judah took the daughter of a Cannanite as his wife.  Matthew Henry says that Judah married too young and that his marriage was arranged by his wife's father and not by his own father, which was customary.  I believe that the main point is that he did not marry a woman who was also a part of God's chosen people.  Verse three declares, And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.  Judah had a son, who was named Er.  Verse four adds,  And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.  Then verse five concludes,  And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.  Judah now had three sons, and he was at least carrying out God's promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that he would make a great nation from them, but he was not carrying it out under God's authority.  As followers of Christ, we cannot just do what we want to do and expect God to bless us, but we must seek His will first.  Verse six states, And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.  Judah chose a wife for Er.  Her name was Tamar.  Matthew Henry says that Er was too young to be married, but I believe that it was his character and not his age that was a problem.  Verse seven declares, And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.   As just stated, Er was a wicked man, not necessarily in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God.  We are told that God slew Er.  I am not sure how this happened, but we do know that God is the Creator and sustains life, so however Er died, people saw it as God killing him.  Er must have been particularly evil for this to happen.  Verse eight states, And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.  As was the custom, when Er died Judah had Er's brother Onan to marry Tamar to preserve Er's name by having a child with her.  I am not sure how we would we feel about marrying our brother's widow simply so his name could be preserved, but I believe that like Onan we would not be wild about the idea.  Verse nine adds, And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.  Onan decided that since the child would be viewed as a descendant of Er and not of Onan himself that he would not carry out this obligation.  Verse ten declares, And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  We are told that God was not pleased with Onan and killed him also.  I really don't believe that God kills people just because they displease Him, but think it more likely that since Er and Onan both died young that it was attributed to God killing them.  I base this on the nature of God not being vindictive, but this is still just my interpretation.  Verse eleven states, Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.  Judah's youngest son, Shelah, was too young to marry, so Judah instructed Tamar to remain a widow in her father's house until Shelah was old enough to marry.  This was all being done to preserve the name of Er by giving him a descendant.  I don't believe that I would have been happy to be either Shelah or Tamar.  We are not told that any of this was God's plan.  As followers of Christ, we cannot make our own plans to carry out God's purpose without ensuring that we are following His will and hope for success.