Genesis 41:33

Genesis 41:33 says, Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.  After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph advised him to appoint a wise and discreet man in charge of all the land of Egypt.  Joseph had no reason to believe that Pharaoh would believe him, and he might have even risked angering Pharaoh by offering him advice.  If we believe that God has given us advice that will help others, we must not allow fear or even indifference to keep us from sharing it with them.  Verse thirty-four states, Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.  Joseph expands on what he thinks Pharaoh should do.  Joseph said Pharaoh should appoint officers over the land and set aside a fifth of the crops in the good years.  Verse thirty-five adds, And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.  Joseph said that Pharaoh could still feed the people well on the rest of the crops.  I believe that God expects us to set aside something in the good years to help us through the bad ones, but we should also acknowledge that He will meet our needs.  I don't believe that God ever expects us to be wasteful though.  Verse thirty-six says, And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.  Joseph said that the food stored during the seven good years would be enough to see Egypt through the seven bad years.  As followers of Christ, we are not to worry about having our needs met daily, because God promises us He will meet them.  Still, God may meet our needs in time of adversity by our using His provisions wisely in times of prosperity.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.  The plan sounded good to Pharaoh and his servants.  This really was not Joseph's plan, but God's plan shared with Pharaoh through Joseph.  As followers of Christ, we can only share God's plan with others, starting with His plan of salvation.  We have no plans that will work ultimately except the plans that God reveals to us.  Verse thirty-eight asks, And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?  Pharaoh asked where could they find another man such as Joseph, in whom was the Spirit of God.  Hopefully, when people see us as Christians today they will see the Spirit of God in us by the way we act.  Verse thirty-nine states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:  Pharaoh said that since God had shown Joseph this, that Joseph was the best man for the job.  Pharaoh had to believe that God was really speaking to Joseph.  Verse forty adds,  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.   Pharaoh said that Joseph would be over everyone except for Pharaoh himself.  Joseph was once again saved from suffering and placed in a position of power, because the time was now right in God's plan.  We may have to suffer in this life, but ultimately we will be delivered if we put our faith in Christ, but it will be when God says this time is right.  Verse forty-one states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.  Then verse forty-two adds, And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;   Pharaoh telling Joseph that he was in charge might not have been enough to make others believe him, but Pharaoh gave Joseph things that would prove his authority.  Verse forty-three says, And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.  It may not have been his brothers but knees were now indeed bowing down to Joseph, but I don't believe that he took any pride in it.  Verse forty-four adds, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.  Basically, Pharaoh said that he was putting Joseph in total control.  Fortunately for Pharaoh Joseph was not out to claim power for himself.  If we are given authority to act on behalf of someone else today, we must not abuse our position.  Verse forty states, And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.  Joseph was given an Egyptian name and the daughter of an Egyptian priest as a wife.  Joseph was becoming more and more identified with the Egyptians than with the Israelites.  I personally do not believe that this was God's plan but that God still worked through Joseph's life in spite of the circumstances.

Genesis 41:15

Genesis 41:15 says, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.  When Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison, he told Joseph why.  Pharaoh told Joseph that he had a dream and had heard Joseph could interpret it.  Verse sixteen declares, And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.  Joseph could have seen this as an opportunity to get out of prison and just put all the emphasis on himself, but he didn't.  Joseph said it wasn't him, but God that could give Pharaoh an answer of peace.  When we are asked to help people today, as followers of Christ we must make sure that people understand that God is the One at work through us and never seek self glorification.  In the next few verses, Pharaoh simply repeats his dream to Joseph.  Verse seventeen states,And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:  Verse eighteen adds, And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:  This was the dream of the cattle.  Verse nineteen continues, And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:  Verse twenty goes on, And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:  Then verse twenty-one concludes, And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.  This was Pharaoh's first dream, and now he would tell Joseph his second dream.  Verse twenty-two says, And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:  This was the dream of the corn, which Pharaoh saw as a continuation of the first dream evidently, though he had been awake in between the two.  Verse twenty-three adds, And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:  Verse twenty-four concludes, And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.  After finishing telling Joseph his dreams, Pharaoh also told him that none of his magicians could tell him what the dreams meant.  People today may look for answers to questions in life, but the Only One Who can give them real answers is God.  As Christians, we must point them to God if they come to us with questions.  Verse twenty-five declares, And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.  Joseph told Pharaoh that God was speaking to him through the dream and was using it to reveal what was to happen.  As followers of Christ, we can share with people the good news of what will be the ultimate outcome of all life, and that is victory over sin and death through our faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-six states, The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. Then verse twenty-seven adds, And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.  Joseph said that the seven cattle and the seven ears both represented years.  The first seven in both cases would be seven years of prosperity and the second seven would be years of famine.  Though we may not have a specific warning from God, we need to realize that there will be times when life goes very well, but there will also be times when we may be in need in this world.  We simply have to keep our faith in God in either case.  Verse twenty-eight declares, This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.  Joseph said that God had shown Pharaoh what was about to happen, and it was up to Pharaoh to believe it or not.  God has shown us today what is ultimately going to happen in the world, the coming judgment, and it is up to each individual whether to believe it or not.  As followers of Christ, we can simply share the gospel with them.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: Then verse thirty adds, And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;  Verse thirty-one continues, And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.  Then verse thirty-one concludes, And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.  Joseph said the dream meant that there would be seven good years in Egypt, followed by seven very bad years, and that God had Pharaoh dream basically the same thing twice to emphasize that this was going to happen.  It was now up to Pharaoh whether he believed it or not.  With the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, God has already revealed to the world what the ultimate outcome of life will be.  We can either accept salvation by faith in Christ, or we can continue to live in spiritual poverty.  Our relationship to God is what will always make the difference, no matter what happens in life.

Genesis 41:1

Genesis 41:1 says, And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.  Two years after the chief butler was restored to his position, Pharaoh had a dream.  Joseph may have given up on his dream of being heard by this time.  Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by a river.  Then verse two adds, And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.  So far, this would seem to be a good dream and nothing to be concerned about.  Verse three continues, And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.  The dream now might be considered a little more omnibus, but still nothing really disturbing.  Then verse four concludes, And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.  The ill favored and weak cattle ate the well favored and fat cattle, and then Pharaoh awoke.  The dream bothered Pharaoh enough to wake him up.  Pharaoh believed that the dream meant something, and it bothered him.  If our dreams wake us up and disturb us, that does not mean that God is trying to tell us something, nor does it mean that He isn't.  I personally don't believe that God has ever spoken to me through a dream, but that doesn't mean that He hasn't to someone else.  Verse five says, And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.  When Pharaoh was asleep again, he had another dream.  This time, there were seven good ears of corn on one stalk.  Verse six adds,  And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.  As with the cattle, after what started as a good dream now turned a little worse.  Verse seven concludes, And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.  Once more, the bad devoured the good, and the dream awoke Pharaoh.  Verse eight declares, And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.  The dreams disturbed Pharaoh enough that the next morning he called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams.  They could not tell Pharaoh what these dreams meant.  He was looking in the wrong place for answers.  If God is speaking to us through dreams today, we cannot expect people of the world those who do not know God, to tell us what the dreams mean.  Today, some people who call themselves followers of Christ still look to horoscopes and fortune tellers to tell them the future, but they never will.  If we have concerns about the future, we need to look to God for answers.  Verse nine states, Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:  The chief butler now remembered Joseph, and at least acknowledged his fault in not speaking to Pharaoh earlier on Joseph's behalf.  Too often if we help others, once they have what they want they will forget us and any promise they may have made to us.  Unfortunately, people are sometimes the same way with God, promising obedience and then forgetting all about God when they get what they want.  Verse ten adds, Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:  Verse eleven continues, And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.  Verse twelve goes on, And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.  Then verse thirteen concludes, And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.  The chief butler told Pharaoh about the dreams that the chief baker and he had, and that Joseph had interpreted them correctly.  Hopefully, if we have shared the gospel with someone they will eventually realize the truth of the gospel, even if it is at a much later date.  I know it was not the gospel that Joseph had shared, but he had given God the credit for his being able to interpret the dreams, and if we help someone today we must point them to God as the reason that we are willing and able to help them.  Verse fourteen declares, Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.  Joseph was finally brought out of the dungeon by Pharaoh's order, and was allowed to clean up before he went to Pharaoh.  This may have been more for Pharaoh's benefit than for Joseph's.  God is much more powerful than Pharaoh was, and if we go into God's presence, we should clean ourselves up spiritually.  Since the Holy Spirit is with us always, this means that we should always attempt to be clean spiritually.

Genesis 40:16

Genesis 40:16 says,When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:  The chief baker saw that Joseph had given the chief butler a good interpretation of his dream and was quick to share his dream with Joseph.  When someone else gets good news, even if it is yet to be proven, others often want to be able to benefit from it.  The chief baker may have thought since Joseph gave the chief butler good news, then he surely would give him good news also.  The first part of the chief bakers dream was that he had three white baskets on his head.  There was certainly nothing scary about that.  Verse seventeen adds,  And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.  The dream might be getting a little more ominous now, since the birds had eaten the bake goods of the Pharaoh, though this still couldn't be directly blamed on the chief baker.  Still, he would have been guilty of not protecting them better.  We still don't know why the chief baker had ended up in prison, but it is possible that he had been negligent in his work and this was revealed in his dream, though I cannot say that for a certainty.  Verse eighteen declares, And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:  As with the chief butler, Joseph told the chief baker that the dream would be answered within three days.  Since the interpretation started the same way, the chief baker may have been feeling even better now, but that didn't last long.  I believe that we can say that when someone else receives the good news of the gospel today that it does not mean that someone else will also be saved.  Of course, God does not arbitrarily save one person and condemn another, so we cannot carry the analogy to far concerning these two.  Verse nineteen adds, Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.  This was certainly not what the chief baker wanted to hear.  Of course, none of this had happened yet, so he may have thought that Joseph was just trying to scare him.  I do believe that we can say that those who have receive the good news or Christ will be saved, and those who reject it will go away to everlasting punishment.  Many may believe that if the gospel is true that somehow they will be included in salvation without really believing it themselves, but this is not the case.  Verse twenty states, And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.  In three days, the Pharaoh's birthday, he brought the chief butler and the chief baker out of prison.  The three days was in accordance with Joseph's interpretation, so the chief butler had to be hopeful and the chief baker had to be filled with dread.  Verse twenty-one adds, And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:  The chief butler was restored, just a Joseph had said he would be.  The chief baker had to really be filled with fear now.  Verse twenty-two concludes, But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.  The chief baker was hanged, just as Joseph said he would be.  Of course, we cannot equate the Pharaoh with God, since the Pharaoh's actions seemed to be arbitrary, but we can say that if we are saved, it is because of God's mercy and our acceptance of the gospel.  Verse twenty-three states, Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.  Though Joseph had asked only one thing of the chief butler, and that was that he speak to the Pharaoh for Joseph, the chief butler immediately forgot his promise.  When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot forget the lost people around us.  We need to be in prayer for them, lifting them up to God.

Genesis 40:9

Genesis 40:9 says, And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;  The chief butler was the first to tell Joseph his dream.  He had to either believe that God would reveal the interpretation to Joseph or that he had nothing to lose by sharing the dream with Joseph.  Sometimes, people may come to us because they want to believe that as Christians we have a special relationship with God and He can help us, and at times they may come to us simply because they figure they have nothing to lose.  In either case, we need to look to God for the right way to help them and make sure that He receives the honor and glory if He gives us the answer to their problem.  Verse ten states, And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:  The butler said that he dreamed of a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and brought forth clusters of ripe grapes.  Though the chief butler might have thought that it was a nice dream, he believed that it had some deeper meaning.  I believe that if God does speak to us, whether through a dream or some other method, that He will make us aware that He is behind the dream or whatever method He uses to speak to us.  Not every dream is a message from God, but if it is, I believe that we will know that it is.  Verse eleven adds, And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.  In his dream, the chief butler was once again serving Pharaoh, this time with the juice from the grapes.  Again, he could have dismissed this dream as simply wishful thinking on his part.  We must never be too quick to dismiss our hopes and dreams as wishful thinking, but should always look to see if God is behind them.  We may sometimes need to look to fellow believers to help us be certain that it is God speaking to us.  Verse twelve declares, And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:  Joseph began to give the interpretation of the dream to the chief butler.  Joseph had already said that the interpretation would come from God.  He said that the three branches represented three days.  Joseph did not say that some day what he was going to say would happen, but set a very specific time table for this to happen.  Verse thirteen adds, Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.  Joseph gave the chief butler good news.  Within three days, he would be restored by the Pharaoh to his former position.  Since the Pharaoh put the chief butler there simply because he was angry with him, the Pharaoh could release the chief butler simply because he chose to.  Fortunately, when we share the gospel with others, if they accept it and are set free from sin, it is not because of an arbitrary action of God.  If we accept Christ in faith, we will be restored to God forever.  Even though the chief butler was to be restored, he was still subject to Pharaoh changing his mind again.  Fortunately, as followers of Christ, once we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we are forever forgiven.  Verse fourteen states, But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:  Joseph did not say if the butler was restored, but when he was.  We must put our faith in the promises of God, which Joseph believed this to be, no matter if they are fulfilled quickly or at a much later time.  Joseph only asked one thing, and that was for the butler to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf.  Joseph did not demand any material compensation, and neither can we when we share the gospel with others.  Verse fifteen adds, For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.  I don't believe that Joseph said this to gain pity, but that he was simply stating the facts of his situation.  Joseph was falsely condemned, but he still had faith that God would deliver him from the prison.  Even if we were to be falsely imprisoned, we must have faith that God will deliver us, if not in this world, then in the one to come.

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.