Genesis 39:2,4,9,23 NKJV
The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
[4] So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
[9] There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
[23] The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
Genesis 40:8,19 NKJV
And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
[19] Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.”
Genesis 41:16 NKJV
So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Genesis 45:8 NKJV
So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Joseph was Jacob’s favourite son. I used to think that he ratted on his brothers to gain more favor, but the more I understood Ephesians 4:15 which talks about “speaking the truth in love,” the more I understand what it means to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ.”
Joseph had God’s favor and he prospered no matter where he was and what was going on in his life because God was with him.
I would have questioned God’s presence with me right when things started to go wrong, after all, I was doing the right things in the eyes of God. Joseph did not question or blame God.
When God exalted Joseph at Potiphar’s house, I would have done everything in my power to get back to my family instead of serving Potiphar faithfully. Joseph kept his eyes on the Lord who was his deliverer.
Even at the advances made by Potiphar’s wife towards Joseph, he was considering the fact that this would have resulted in him sinning against God. I don’t see how that is possible if Joseph did not prioritise the things of God.
Then while in jail, Joseph gave credit to his God for the interpretation of the dreams and he did not in any way hesitate to declare the truth in love.
As the Prime Minister of Egypt, Joseph could have exacted revenge, but instead he helped his brothers. Only God could guarantee that outcome in his life, and he honoured God for this.
There is more, much more that we can learn, but as Proverbs 4:7 says: Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
1 John 2:16-17 NKJV For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. [17] And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.