The Joseph Series: From Bad to Worse to “Worser!”
“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.” [Genesis 39:1]
Poor Joseph! Last week he is dropped in a cistern, left to die. But just in the nick of time, his brothers decide to sell him to a band of traders. This week, the traders have sold him in Egypt to Potiphar.
Nonetheless, the very next sentence is significant. We will file it away and refer to it in subsequent weeks. “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” [Genesis 39:2]
But for now, Joseph is a slave in Egypt and his father, Jacob, has been deceived by Joseph’s brothers into believing Joseph is dead, thanks to a wild animal.
Joseph receives favor in Potiphar’s house because God is with Joseph, looking out for his best interests. Soon, he finds himself in charge of everything in Potiphar’s household. Things are looking up. But wait…
Joseph is handsome and well-built. Potiphar’s wife takes notice and tries to entice him to sleep with her. (Is this really in the Bible or did I get confused with some TV soap opera?!) Joseph refuses every advance she makes. After an extended period of Joseph rebuffing her, she gets angry and accuses Joseph of raping her. Whoa!! Talk about going from bad to worse!
When Potiphar hears about his wife’s accusations against Joseph, he is furious! Immediately, he throws Joseph into the same prison where the rest of the king’s prisoners are held. Bad to worse to “worser!” (I know that is not a word, but it fits!)
Can you relate? Have you ever been faced with a situation that keeps getting worse by the day? Things look bleak and hopeless. You find yourself in your own “prison” of despair, with seemingly no way out.
Take heart; in the next sentence we find hope: “But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him His faithful love.” [Genesis 39:21]
May I encourage you today that God is right there with you, even in your “prison!”
