more from Joseph

Since my impromptu reading in Genesis 40 and 41, I decided to embark upon a character study of Joseph. He is slowly becoming one of my favorite biblical persons for a variety of reasons. My study isn't overly extravagant or confusing. I simply look for what the Bible says about Joseph as well as what God did through Him. These two points provide a great deal of material to pray and meditate on in my own life. I fully plan on doing another study as soon as I am finished with Joseph.

From Genesis 39, I walk away with two glaring points of interests. First, Joseph had nothing and seemed fully aware of that reality more than once. Second, God worked abundantly through Joseph's "nothingness."

Joseph came into Potiphar's house as a slave. Verses one and two tell us Potiphar bought Joseph and took him into his home. If we go from chapter 37, Joseph probably entered Potiphar's house with nothing, not even the clothes on his back seeing as his brothers took them when they tossed him in the pit. Then after being falsely accused of sexual harassment, Joseph entered prison in a very similar fashion. And yet, Joseph was far from useless in either scenario.

Verse four says Potiphar "made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had." Meanwhile, verse twenty-two tells us "the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it."

How could a guy with nothing be placed in charge on two (and three later on) different occasions? In the today's world, Joseph could probably have at least three New York Times bestsellers about how to overcome obstacles, lead well, and find success in all you do. Thankfully, he doesn't and God's Word clearly tells us the answer.

Verse three says "the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands." Verse five tells us "the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake." And verse twenty-three declares "because the Lord was with Joseph. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed."

I honestly believe Joseph was one of the few people in the Bible (and all history for that matter) who actually understood. The chapter also tells us Joseph was strong and handsome. It's why Potiphar's wife attempted to seduce him. But Joseph knew he had nothing. His circumstances reminded him again and again. This led Joseph to embrace humility with all his might. By putting on humility, Joseph's life became a living testament to the power of God. God's Word tells us more than once how God rewards humility while standing in the way of pride (Proverbs 3:34, Matthew 23:12, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5 to name a few). God worked in Joseph because Joseph allowed Him full control of anything and everything. He was absolutely submissive to the will of God.

I want to be the same. Unfortunately, I am not.