“The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered…”

Joseph prospered? As a slave? How can this be?

When we have God's presence with us we will prosper…not by the world’s standards necessarily, but certainly by God’s standards. This is a great lesson for us. Serve the Lord, no matter our station in life.

We couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Joseph and the prophet Daniel. Daniel also prospered while he was in captivity in Babylon.

The Book of Jasher records that Potipher bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites for 400 pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites bought Joseph for only 20 pieces of silver.  Quite a profit for the Ishmaelites.

How did Potipher know that the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered?  Why didn' t he give credit to the Egyptian sun god, Ra?  Could it be that Joseph was quick to give God the credit?  Notice Potipher was also rewarded.

Joseph refused to succumb to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife and called it a sin against God.  He knew that the act of adultery or fornication was a sin against God. Joseph's character certainly was displayed at this time. Other historical writings tell us that Potiphar knew Joseph's character and also the character of his wife and believed Joseph. However, in order to save face with his wife and his servants, he sent Joseph to jail. The jail in which Joseph was placed was different from the Roman jails of Jesus' day. In many cases the jails were more like houses. Depending on the person and their crime, often it was more like house arrest instead of being thrown into a dark and damp dungeon.

Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret a dream.  Joseph must have been very relieved to say the least, to be freed from the prison, but he does something very gutsy.  When Pharaoh asks Joseph to interpret the dream, Joseph responds with, "I cannot do it."  He risked everything with this statement.  But was quick to give God the credit.

The Biblical "two-witness" rule is applied even to Pharaoh's dream.  "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon."

After Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt.  Joseph is now second in command, second only to Pharaoh himself.  No one in Egypt has more authority than Joseph, including Pharaoh's sons. Once the king issues an order it cannot be retracted.  Even Pharaoh knew that the spirit of God was in Joseph.  Otherwise why would the king of Egypt give such power and authority to a Hebrew slave?

Joseph was about 17 when he first came to Egypt and was 30 when he entered into service with Pharaoh.  Once he entered into service with Pharaoh, Joseph's life was truly blessed.

God provided an abundant harvest for seven years. They were able to store up huge quantities of grain (one fifth the amount raised in the land) and still have an abundance.

Joseph's two sons. Manasseh and Ephraim are born in Egypt.  These two sons will be extremely significant in the genealogical record.

When the famine hits the land of Canaan hard, Israel (Jacob) protects Benjamin and refuses to let him go with the brothers to Egypt to get grain.  Later the tribe of Benjamin will also be protected.

Wonder why Joseph didn't go to see his family in Canaan once he was no longer a slave? Guess he was a little busy running things in Egypt!