Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

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A stranger in a strange land, Joseph began his servitude to Potiphar, a man of high rank in Pharaoh’s army. Egypt, in Scripture, is a type of the world and Joseph’s presence there is a reminder of the true Joseph who came into this world from “a far country,” who presented Himself as a servant—coming “not to be ministered unto, but to minister (or serve), and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:4545For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45).
Joseph was a young man of seventeen or eighteen years at this time. If he paused to consider all that had happened to him and to think of his sad situation he may have thought it scarcely looked like the fulfillment of his earlier dreams. Instead of the place of glory, he was in the place of a slave. But if his change of circumstances was difficult to understand, it did not dim his confidence in the God of his fathers. He was content to accept his lot and wait for Him to show him the future in His own way. He saw in Potiphar’s house a new sphere of duty, and looked to God that he might serve Him and thus best serve his master. Delivered from cruel death, he humbled himself and sought to do diligently and conscientiously what lay before him day by day to please his Master above. This too brings before us the One who was ever the obedient One in all His walk in this world, who knew suspicion, distrust and hatred, before He knew exaltation and glory.
Joseph’s faithfulness was soon rewarded. Never had Potiphar or any other such a slave; in him was neither self-seeking nor eyeservice. But we need not to seek far for the explanation. We read that “the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man;... And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 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 ... 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.” vv. 2-5. When the Lord Jesus was but twelve years of age it was also recorded of Him that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:5252And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52). The obedience, patience and consideration for all around seen in both the Lord and Joseph resulted in their early years in the approval of all who witnessed them. It is profitable to note that God ordered that this testimony should come forth from the lips of men. “He doeth all things well,” they said of Jesus in His day.
As Joseph’s presence in the house of Potiphar resulted in blessing to all that his master owned, so too the grace of God extends to all the blessings that mankind experiences. “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:4545That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45). “The rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” Isa. 55:1010For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (Isaiah 55:10).
Memory Verse: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Prov. 8:1717I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17).
ML 03/12/1967