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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 309

"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments." Psalm 112:1

Text: Genesis 39:1-23

BLESSED AS A SLAVE!

What a reversal Joseph suffered when he was sold as a slave – by his own brothers! He must have wondered about how his dear father must have felt! But moping around wasn’t the best approach to be taken! Joseph made sure that his whole approach to life was one of positive faith in the Lord. He matched it with faithful industry.

Potiphar was swift to make the appropriate response to Joseph’s faithful service!

“So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him.
Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had
he put under his authority.”
GENESIS 39:4

The setback in Joseph’s life was only temporary. He must have fed on the knowledge that his father Israel communicated to him. There was a faithful God watching over him. He need not fear even if he found himself a slave in Egypt! He must hold on to his faith, no matter the circumstances he found himself in.

How could Joseph have found favour with Potiphar, if it had not been for the Lord’s hand of blessing? How could Joseph account for his success in managing Potiphar’s household, if the Lord had not helped him? What did he know about running his master’s business, when he was but a young shepherd lad? But of course the Lord was with him, and thus he was able to do so well in life!


EVEN GREATER BLESSINGS OUTPOURED

Would Joseph fail in his new role as “overseer”? Was this promotion too swift? Joseph did not need a whole lot of time to elapse before he proved himself.

“So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer
of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed
the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing
of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know
what he had except for the bread which he ate.”
GENESIS 39:5-6

“The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake”

What a significant statement we have here! Joseph earned nothing as a slave. Nevertheless, he did his very best for his master. The Lord did not fail to encourage Joseph through blessing his work.

“The blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field”

The evidence of God’s hand of blessing was undeniable! It was too obvious to deny! Potiphar was glad that he found someone he could trust fully! With matters in the capable and faithful hand of Joseph, Potiphar could now step back and enjoy the fruit of his slave’s labour! The wealth of Potiphar must have risen significantly after the arrival of Joseph!