CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 39:1. Pharaoh.] The name is derived from Phra, meaning the sun. Potiphar means belonging to the sun.—
Genesis 39:2. The Lord.] Jehovah. This, the covenant name of God, is here, for the first time, introduced into Joseph’s history.—
Genesis 39:6. And he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat.] Heb. Knew not anything with him. He did not insist upon a personal knowledge of his affairs, but left everything to Joseph. “But this committal of his affairs to Joseph did not extend to anything concerning his food, for that would have been an abomination.” (Genesis 43:32.) (Alford.)—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 39:1-6
THE PROSPERITY OF JOSEPH IN THE HOUSE OF HIS FIRST MASTER
I. Its extraordinary nature. Here was a man who had everything against him. A youth of seventeen years of age, torn from his father, from home and country, and sold as a slave among idolators; what condition could be more hopeless and forlorn? And yet this youth is raised from his low and mean estate to the highest place in his master’s house, and has unlimited confidence reposed in him. He prospers to a wonderful extent, and causes all around him to prosper. (Genesis 39:2-3.) Cast off by his own brethren, he rises amongst strangers to dignity and honour.
II. Its basis and security. How are we to account for this young man rising thus in the face of every disadvantage?
1. By his own bearing and conduct. Surely Joseph must have been cheerful and resigned under his hard lot. He must have made himself agreeable to his master by his diligence in business, and by a brave and manly behaviour. He had nothing of the meanness of the slave about him. His great character shined through every outward disadvantage, and charmed and impressed all who came under its influence. He was a noble example of one who was completely resigned to the will of God in affliction. In the day of adversity he would consider, and be quiet in his confidence, bating no jot of heart or hope; but still bearing up and trusting the faithfulness of his God. Firm faith in the revelations made to him of his coming greatness sustained him in the midst of overwhelming adversities. There was nothing like fretfulness about this man; for a gloomy and peevish spirit would not have won the admiration of his master. Joseph rose to influence by the force of character.
2. By the favour of God. It was the grace of God that made his character what it was, and imparted to it an energy for good. That grace, in the form of favour and blessing, made Joseph prosperous. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man.” The Covenant Jehovah was with him, his portion, his guide, his stay and support. He was like the tree planted by the rivers of water. “Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1; Psalms 1:3.) He was robbed of all society but that of his God. He left behind him father and home, but he took God with him. He could be persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Surely he could say in the spirit of the words of the Psalmist: “When my father and mother forsake me, then Jehovah will take me up.”
III. Its lessons.
1. That God’s blessings and grace are with His people everywhere, and under the severest trials. The grace of God was seen in the noble bearing of Joseph in adversity, and the blessing of God in that prosperity which he gained. No exile, no stroke of adversity can deprive God’s saints of their best comforts.
2. That God’s blessing and grace in His people are manifest to others. “His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord had made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” (Genesis 39:3.) The spiritual convictions of Joseph, which made his outward life what it was, were recognised by his master. He felt that he was in the presence of a goodness which was uncommon and superior, and which could only be traced to a Divine spring. Such is the power of a saintly character which compels the world to ascribe it to the grace of God. If a man love the Lord, the same is known of him. The saints of God though hid as to their deepest feelings, and the Divine source of their strength, cannot be hid as to the influence of their lives and the impressions of their character. They are public lights. They compel observation, like a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid. It is to Joseph’s credit that his goodness was manifest to all, for this implies that he did not hide his religion. It is probable that he took his stand at once as a worshipper of the true God. The Lord gave him the hearts of all. “Them that honour me I will honour.” (1 Samuel 2:30.)
3. That God blesses others for the sake of His people. His Kindness overflows to those who, by His providence, are brought into relations with them. The Egyptian’s house is blessed for Joseph’s sake. (Genesis 39:5.) God blesses those who bless His own people, according to the promise. (Genesis 12:3.) He makes His saints a blessing. Thus was Jacob made to Laban; Joseph to the house of Potiphar, and afterwards to all Egypt; Israel to the world. “Salvation is of the Jews.”
4. That God is still working out His designs, even when they seem to fail. The hope of the house of Israel centered upon Joseph; and now, to all human appearance, all was lost. But God, though hidden for awhile in the mysterious way of His providence, was working out His own purposes. His wisdom would yet be manifest. Had the House of Jacob remained in Canaan, they would, in all probability, have been dispersed among the people, have lost their unity and independence, and been wasted by numerous wars. In Egypt they would grow up into a great and united people, and receive the advantage of an important educational influence by being brought into contact with that seat of culture and worldly power. They would thus acquire the elements of political strength. Even the afflictions which were visited upon them worked for their good, by drawing them closer together and thus preserving their unity, and by awakening in them a longing after redemption. The destiny of the church has often seemed, to merely human eyes, to hang upon the frail thread of some threatened life; from such threads as Joseph in prison, Moses in the ark, David in the cave of Adullam. But the providence of God, like His mercy, is ever faithful, ever sure.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 39:1. Joseph brought down to Egypt and sold as a slave—a dark Providence. But consider his own interpretation of it when he reviews it in the time to come. “Be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God,” etc. (Genesis 45:5; Genesis 45:7.) God orders all the ways of His people; and though they may seem to be forgotten, His eye is always upon them.
This was to Joseph “the day of his distress,” as Jacob called that sad day when he departed from his father’s house. Surely the archers may well be said to have sorely grieved him.
Genesis 39:2-3. The Covenant God victoriously carries forward His decrees through all the need, sufferings, and ignomony of His people.—(Lange.)
God’s presence can make up for any loss, and bless us in any place.
What a difference is there between the case of Joseph and that of Jonah! They were both in trouble, both absent from God’s people, and among the heathen; but the sufferings of the one were for righteousness sake, while those of the other were of his own procuring.—(Fuller.)
Prosperity is not always a sign of God’s special favour, yet His hand is always to be recognised in it by His people, when He sees it would be better for them than adversity, or when, by means of it, He proposes to make them blessings to others.—(Bush.)
Potiphar was constrained to acknowledge that Joseph was the object of Divine care and favour. Here is an example to Christians to recommend the Gospel by their fidelity and diligence, and to be faithful to God even when there are no religious friends about them to watch over them.
Genesis 39:4. Joseph’s promotion illustrates—
1. The principle, that he who is faithful over a few things shall be made ruler over many things.
2. The principle, that God honours those who honour Him.
3. That God was carrying out hereby His purpose of mercy towards the house of Jacob.
He that is mourned for in Canaan, as dead, prospers in Egypt under Potiphar; and of a slave, is made ruler. Thus God meant to prepare him for a greater charge; he must first rule Potiphar’s house, then Pharaoh’s kingdom.—(Bishop Hall.)
Genesis 39:5. Joseph reminds us of St. Paul (2 Corinthians 6), who through the persecutions of his brethren is forced to carry the light of God’s kingdom into the heathen world.
Pious stewards, and pious servants of every class, are a blessing to their masters, not only because they are faithful and manage their affairs with discretion, but because they draw down the special blessing of God upon the households to which they belong. Masters may learn what treatment is due to faithful servants; they ought to trust, to honour, and to love them. When men are precious in God’s sight they are honourable, whatever be their station in life.—(Bush.)
Genesis 39:6. Potiphar took what was provided for him, and cared for no more. This is few men’s happiness; for usually the master is the greatest servant in the house.—(Trapp.)
Beauty of person and face is a quality which gains love, and ought to make the possessor of it thankful; but it easily proves a snare. It was Joseph’s comfort that he was beloved by his master, but it was his misfortune that he was too well beloved by his mistress.—(Bush).