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“The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” (Genesis 39:2 NKJV)
Last week’s lesson from Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, pointed out the importance of humility in obtaining God’s favor (See “A Humble Spirit: Teacher Joseph, Part 2). If humility is how to obtain God’s favor, what is it that ensures that we maintain His favor? How can we ensure that the Lord stays with us?
Finding himself the master of Potiphar’s household, Joseph had great responsibilities. He was in charge of literally everything, to the point that the Bible records that Potiphar, “…did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.” (Genesis 39:6 NKJV).
Unfortunately for Joseph, Potiphar wasn’t the only one in the household who cast Joseph a favorable eye… His wife, “…cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’” (Genesis 39:7b NKJV).
This was no doubt meant to be an honor for Joseph. After all, his master’s wife would have had significant influence over Potiphar and over everything that took place in the household. Joseph, however, didn’t let himself be drawn into this trap: “But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 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?’” (Genesis 39:8-9 NKJV)
Did Joseph know the potential consequences of saying “no” to Potiphar’s wife? Likely he did. The consequences of saying “no” were for him as bad as saying “yes”. Many would have figured that if the punishment was going to be the same, they might as well have the fun! But Joseph knew the consequences of disobeying God, and he chose to obey God over all else. As a result, “Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” (Genesis 39:20a NKJV); but even though he was in prison, Joseph knew with a good conscience that he had upheld God’s laws.
The result? Once again Joseph experienced God’s favour: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 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 39:21-23 NKJV)
From the story of Joseph we can see that one of the key’s to receiving God’s favour is humility, while a key to keeping God’s favour lies in staying faithful to God, no matter what the circumstances.
What circumstances do you find yourself in? Like Joseph is your situation a “no win” one? No matter what remember to stay true to God, for when you do, you are opening the door for God’s favour to rest upon you! Even in the midst of bad circumstances!
Join us next Saturday for another powerful lesson from the life of Joseph in “Choosing to Believe: Teacher Joseph, Part 4”!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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