TURNING ADVERSITY TO ADVANTAGE (PART 3) – JOSEPH, FROM PRISON TO PALACE

Dear Members in Christ,

Turning Adversity to advantage (Part 3) – Joseph, from prison to palace

God’s will may not always seem favorable when viewed through the eyes of flesh. That is often the experience when we come across men or women who have fallen upon hard times. They may be people who are mindful of their faith, and have kept a close walk with God, but yet, events in their life have proverbially thrown them against the wall. For Joseph, the boy sold into slavery, he had risen to a high position in Potiphar’s household. In a strange turn of events, the mistress of the house tempted him to sin, and    

“And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” Genesis 39:11,12

The mistress had taken an opportunity when there was no men in the house. This appears to be a pre-meditated move to seduce Joseph. From the way Joseph responded earlier, it is clear that Joseph knew that adultery is a “great wickedness”, and it is a “sin against God”. The example of Joseph’s stand against seduction teaches us that we must remember God’s moral laws and keep ourselves from sinning against God. Joseph cultivated an attitude in life where he is constantly mindful of God’s presence and thus is kept from falling into sin. God has a way with His servant. This event will send Joseph into prison, yet in this we shall see God’s gracious hand.  

A. A false accusation laid against Joseph

We can trust that God will keep the faithful in His safe hands even in the face of trouble and falsehood. When Joseph fled from the mistress, she had caught hold of his garment. That was the “evidence” which she retained to craft a lie against the innocent man. This was how she described the situation.

“And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out..” Genesis 39:17,18

The godly man is not immune to the attacks of deception from the evil one. In this case, Joseph’s accuser was the temptress herself. She told the men of the house that “the Hebrew servant” had tried to violate her. What a blatant lie! The seducer lays an accusation on the innocent while at the same time, trying to feign innocence.

Brothers and sisters, let us not despair if we are in distressful situations not of our own doing. Sometimes such situations can be the result of false accusation from an envious neighbor, a spiteful co-worker, or even a malicious family member. Trust in God as Joseph did, but most importantly keep God in mind in every aspect of life. Pray that we do not allow sin to enter into our lives, pray that we are able to resist every temptation of the evil one.   

B. Exalted by God’s gracious hand

In many ancient societies, adultery was punishable by death. Somehow, Joseph’s master was not so swift and rash in his judgement. Instead, Joseph­­ ̶ who held the position of a chief steward in Potiphar’s house ̶ is now kept in prison. This is a special prison, for the Bible describes for us this special house of arrest for those in important office. 

“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.” Genesis 39:20

The master kept Joseph in this special prison, and this was God’s doing as we shall soon see. Even in prison, Joseph kept a close walk with God; perhaps his reputation of godliness preceded him. We read that “… the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Genesis 39:21). Even in prison, God blessed Joseph and ensured that the keeper of the prison was on the good side with Joseph. God can make a prison the place of blessing for the godly man who walks with Him.

Dearly beloved, we have much to learn from the example of this man Joseph. We must not despair when afflicted, instead trust that God will lead and guide us into a safe haven. We must be close to God, that others may know that we trust and fear God as Joseph did. May God help us. Amen.    

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor