Genesis 39

Genesis 39:1-23

Genesis 37:1-36; Genesis 38:1-30; Genesis 39:1-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36 The Divisions of Joseph’ s History Joseph is one of the three men who were chosen vessels of God in connection with Israel’ s history. The other two were Moses and Paul. Joseph’ s history may be summed up under three main divisions: The chosen vessel in preparation (Genesis 37:1-36; Genesis 38:1-30; Genesis 39:1-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36); the chosen vessel in service (Genesis 41:37-57; Genesis 42:1-38; Genesis 43:1-34; Genesis 44:1-34; Genesis 45:1-28; Genesis 46:1-34; Genesis 47:1-31; Genesis 48:1-22; Genesis 49:1-33; Genesis 50:1-21); the dissolution of the chosen vessel (Genesis 50:20-26). Let us now look at these divisions somewhat in detail:

1. The Chosen Vessel in Preparation (Genesis 37:1-36; Genesis 38:1-30; Genesis 39:1-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36) Under this main division we have three general thoughts: Joseph as a son (Genesis 37:1-36); as a slave (Genesis 39:1-20); as a prisoner (Genesis 39:21-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36).

Genesis 39:21-23

Genesis 39:21-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36(c) Joseph as a prisoner (Genesis 39:21-23; Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:1-36) Joseph is now suffering for righteousness’ sake, and yet there is no complaint, defense, or incrimination on his part. He knows he is in the path of God, and that whatever comes to him in that path will work for his good. He can safely leave the issue with God. This is true meekness. Meekness is the consciousness that one’ s life is surrounded by God as an environment, and that nothing can come into that life until it has first pierced that environment, and by so doing has become the will of God for that life. Whatever experience, then, such a life is called upon to pass through is recognized as of God, and the trusting soul says, “ Be it unto me even as thou wilt.” This is true meekness. Joseph had confidence in God’ s providential leadings and dealings; he could wait God’ s time. No doubt Joseph was tempted to think that the ideal of his dreams was thwarted. There was no sign to indicate God’ s favor. Nevertheless, Joseph believed in God and in the purpose of his life (Genesis 40:14). Indeed, Joseph is dreaming again, even though in jail. He is not making light of the visions and dreams of youth. He is standing by the faith of his early days. If the vision tarries, he has determined to wait for it. We are living in days when we are tempted to forsake the traditions of our youth and the faith once for all delivered unto the saints. Let us be careful lest we fall from our true standard of faith in God. Joseph was rewarded for his victory over this temptation. The reward of Joseph is seen in the fact that, instead of Reuben or Judah, who were probably entitled to the place of honor, he occupies a place in the book of Genesis with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Reuben (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:4) and Judah (Genesis 38:15-26) had failed to resist a similar sin to this with which Joseph had been tempted, and which he so nobly overcame. Consequently, Joseph, the younger, is given the place of the elder. “ Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’ s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah preveiled above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’ s)” (1 Chronicles 5:1-2). It may have seemed to us, as we read of the sin of Reuben and Judah and noted the absence of the divine disapproval or punishment for such sins, that God had overlooked them. Here, however, in the choice of Joseph, we see that no sin is overlooked by God, and that every act of obedience and faithfulness is rewarded.