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Commentary on Genesis 39 verses 1–6
Here is, I. Joseph bought (Gen 39:1), and he that bought him, whatever he gave for him, had a good bargain of him; it was better than the merchandise of silver. The Jews have a proverb, "If the world did not know the worth of good men, they would hedge them about with pearls." He was sold to an officer of Pharaoh, with whom he might get acquainted with public persons and public business, and so be fitted for the preferment for which he was designed. Note, 1. What God intends men for he will be sure, some way or other, to qualify them for. 2. Providence is to be acknowledged in the disposal even of poor servants and in their settlements, and therein may perhaps be working towards something great and important.
II. Joseph blessed, wonderfully blessed, even in the house of his servitude.
1.God prospered him, Gen 39:2, Gen 39:3. Perhaps the affairs of Potiphar's family had remarkably gone backward before; but, upon Joseph's coming into it, a discernible turn was given to them, and the face and posture of them altered on a sudden. Though, at first, we may suppose that his hand was put to the meanest services, even in those appeared his ingenuity and industry; a particular blessing of Heaven attended him, which, as he rose in his employment, became more and more discernible. Note, (1.) Those that have wisdom and grace have that which cannot be taken away from them, whatever else they are robbed of. Joseph's brethren had stripped him of his coat of many colours, but they could not strip him of his virtue and prudence. (2.) Those that can separate us from all our friends, yet cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of all his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian. Joseph was separated from his brethren, but not from his God; banished from his father's house, but the Lord was with him, and this comforted him. (3.) It is God's presence with us that makes all we do prosperous. Those that would prosper must therefore make God their friend; and those that do prosper must therefore give God the praise.
2.His master preferred him, by degrees made him steward of his household, Gen 39:4. Note, (1.) Industry and honesty are the surest and safest way both of rising and thriving: Seest thou a man prudent, and faithful, and diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings at length, and not always before mean men. (2.) It is the wisdom of those that are in any sort of authority to countenance and employ those with whom it appears that the presence of God is, Psa 101:6. Potiphar knew what he did when he put all into the hands of Joseph; for he knew it would prosper better there than in his own hand. (3.) He that is faithful in a few things stand fair for being made ruler over many things, Mat 25:21. Christ goes by this rule with his servants. (4.) It is a great ease to a master to have those employed under him that are trusty. Potiphar was so well satisfied with Joseph's conduct that he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat, Gen 39:6. The servant had all the care and trouble of the estate; the master had only the enjoyment of it: an example not to be imitated by any master, unless he could be sure that he had one in all respects like Joseph for a servant.
3.God favoured his master for his sake (Gen 39:5): He blessed the Egyptian's house, though he was an Egyptian, a stranger to the true God, for Joseph's sake; and he himself, like Laban, soon learned it by experience, Gen 30:27. Note, (1.) Good men are the blessings of the places where they live; even good servants may be so, though mean, and lightly esteemed. (2.) The prosperity of the wicked is, one way or other, for the sake of the godly. Here was a wicked family blessed for the sake of one good servant in it.
Lowly servants have grounds on which they may glory; Joseph also was a servant. Those who have passed from freedom into slavery through some exigency have a source of consolation. They have something to imitate, so that they may learn that their status can change but not their character; that among household servants there is liberty; and that in servitude there is constancy. Masters have something to hope for through good and humble servants. Abraham found a wife for his son through a servant of his household. The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph, and the blessing of the Lord was granted to all his property in house and in fields. “And he entrusted all things whatsoever were his into the hands of Joseph.” We note that what the masters could not govern, mere servants governed.
What is the meaning of “a man of means”? Everything went well for him, grace from on high preceded him everywhere, and the grace that flourished with regard to Joseph was so obvious as to become plain even to his master, the chief steward. Recall the text says, “His master realized that the Lord was with him, and whatever he did the Lord conducted successfully in his person. Joseph found favor with his master, who set him over his household and entrusted to him all his possessions.” Do you see what it means to be helped by the right hand from above? I mean, behold, a young man, a stranger, a captive slave, yet entrusted by his master with his whole household: “he entrusted everything to him,” the text says. Why? Because along with power from on high Joseph also contributed his own way of doing things. Recall the text states, “He gave him satisfaction”; that is to say, he did everything to his complete satisfaction.
What is the meaning of “the Lord was with Joseph”? Grace from on high stood by him, it is saying, and smoothed over all his difficulties. It arranged all his affairs; it made those traders well disposed to him and led them to sell him to the chief steward so that he should advance gradually and, by proceeding through those trials, manage to reach the throne of the kingdom. But you, dearly beloved, hearing that Joseph endured slavery at the hands of the traders and then experienced the slavery of the chief steward, consider how he was not alarmed and did not give up hope or debate within himself in these terms: “How deceitful were those dreams that foretold such prosperity for me! I mean, look, I have gone from slavery to harsh slavery and a range of masters, from one to another, forced to associate with savage races. Surely we haven’t been abandoned? Surely we haven’t been passed over by grace from on high?” He said nothing of the sort; he gave it not a thought; on the contrary, he bore everything meekly and nobly. “The Lord was with Joseph” after all, “and he became a man of means.”
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SUMMARY
Genesis 39:2 serves as a profound theological anchor in the narrative of Joseph, declaring that "the LORD was with Joseph" even as he endured the harsh realities of slavery in a foreign land. This pivotal verse immediately follows Joseph's betrayal and sale into Egypt, establishing God's unwavering presence and active favor in his life. It transforms his dire circumstances into a period of remarkable divine enablement and success, setting the foundational stage for his future role in God's redemptive plan for Israel and the surrounding nations.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 39:2 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is Juxtaposition, contrasting Joseph's enslaved status ("in the house of his master the Egyptian") with the profound theological reality of God's active presence ("the LORD was with Joseph"). This stark contrast immediately highlights the miraculous nature of Joseph's "prosperity" and emphasizes that his success is divinely rather than circumstantially determined. There is also a subtle use of Foreshadowing, as this initial declaration of God's presence with Joseph hints at the greater divine plan unfolding, ultimately leading to Joseph's exaltation and the preservation of his family. The phrase "the LORD was with Joseph" functions as a Leitmotif (a recurring theme or phrase), appearing multiple times in chapter 39 (Genesis 39:3 and Genesis 39:21), reinforcing the central theological truth that God's presence is the ultimate source of Joseph's success and resilience, regardless of his changing circumstances.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 39:2 is a foundational statement on God's immanent presence and active providence in the lives of His people, even amidst profound suffering and injustice. It teaches that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our circumstances but on His unchanging character and covenant promises. Joseph's "prosperity" in slavery redefines success, shifting it from worldly metrics of freedom or wealth to divine enablement and effectiveness in one's calling, regardless of external conditions. This verse assures us that God can work through human sin and adversity to accomplish His sovereign purposes, transforming what appears to be a setback into a step forward in His grand redemptive narrative. It instills confidence in God's ability to sustain and bless His own, even when they are in the most vulnerable positions.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 39:2 offers profound encouragement and a powerful paradigm for believers navigating difficult or unjust situations. It reminds us that our external circumstances, no matter how dire, do not dictate God's ability or willingness to be intimately present with us. Like Joseph, we can experience God's empowering favor and effectiveness even in the most challenging or seemingly insignificant roles. This verse challenges our conventional definitions of "prosperity," inviting us to see true success not as freedom from hardship or accumulation of wealth, but as the ability to be fruitful and effective in God's service, wherever He has placed us, through His enabling presence. Our faithfulness and diligence in seemingly menial or difficult tasks can become the very channels through which God manifests His blessing and prepares us for greater responsibilities, just as Joseph's integrity in Potiphar's house led to his eventual exaltation. Ultimately, this passage instills deep trust in God's overarching plan and providence, assuring us that even when human evil or misfortune seems to prevail, God is actively working all things together for good, shaping us and our circumstances for His glory and our ultimate benefit.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How could Joseph be "prosperous" while enslaved?
Answer: The Hebrew word tsalach (H6743), translated "prosperous," means to succeed, advance, or be effective. In Joseph's case, it refers to his remarkable effectiveness and success in his duties within Potiphar's household. God's presence enabled him to manage affairs with such skill and integrity that his master entrusted everything to him, as detailed in Genesis 39:3-6. This highlights that true prosperity, in a biblical sense, is not solely about material wealth or freedom, but about God's blessing enabling one to flourish and be fruitful even in difficult circumstances, demonstrating divine favor transcending worldly status.
Does "the LORD was with Joseph" imply God causes suffering to achieve His purposes?
Answer: This verse does not imply that God caused Joseph's suffering (his brothers' sin and the slave trade). The Bible consistently attributes sin to human free will, not divine instigation. Rather, it emphasizes God's active presence in the suffering, demonstrating His ability to work through human evil and adversity to bring about His redemptive plan. God's presence transformed Joseph's dire situation into a pathway for blessing and future salvation, showcasing His providence over all events without condoning the sin that led to Joseph's enslavement. This is a profound mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, where God's ultimate good can emerge even from the crucible of human wickedness, as Joseph himself later states in Genesis 50:20.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's journey, marked by betrayal, unjust suffering, and eventual exaltation to a position of power that saved his people from famine, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as "the LORD was with Joseph" in his humiliation and enabled his prosperity even as a slave, so too was God the Father intimately present with Jesus through His suffering, crucifixion, and death. Christ, though innocent, was betrayed by one of His own (Matthew 26:14-16), "sold" for a price, and descended into the depths of human suffering and death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Yet, God exalted Him to the highest place, making Him Lord and Savior (Philippians 2:9-11), not just for a family or nation, but for all who believe, providing salvation from spiritual death and eternal famine. Joseph's role in preserving his family from physical death in Egypt powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate role in delivering humanity from spiritual death and eternal condemnation, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring ultimate salvation and life through the suffering, faithfulness, and exaltation of His chosen one, Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).