Study From the Book of Genesis 39

Study From the Book of Genesis,39

As I studied chapter 39 of the Book of Genesis, I chose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Joseph’s brothers probably expected that he would be sold as a common labourer in a heavy construction project. Such heavy physical labour under harsh conditions could make a young man’s life short. Yet because of God’s mercy, Joseph was sold to a rich and important royal officer, Potiphar.

The key phrase of this section is repeated, “The Lord was with Joseph.” This phrase indicates that God cared for, protected, and, blessed Joseph. Joseph occupied a very high station for a slave. He lived and worked in his master’s house. Potiphar recognised that Joseph was successful because the Lord was with him. The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph. Potiphar’s trust in Joseph was so complete that he had no care except for his menu.

Potiphar’s wife began to flirt with Joseph. However, Joseph exemplified the highest standard of personal behaviour. The empowering presence of God in his life helped Joseph to resist temptation. She insisted that Joseph would have sex with her. In her ultimate frustration, she grabbed Joseph and hold his garment, but Joseph fled and left his garment.

Potiphar’s wife insulted her husband in front of the salves and lied by saying that Joseph tried to rape her. The attempted rape of a master’s wife by a foreign slave would have been an exceptional outrage. Surprisingly, Potiphar did not kill Joseph outright. Perhaps he would not fully believe his wife’s story given the long honest faithful experience with Joseph.  So he only put Joseph to prison.

The Lord continued to be with Joseph even in the prison. Joseph experienced God’s merciful love even in rough circumstances to the extend that the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison.

Structure:

Verses: 1- 23: Joseph a slave in Egypt.

Principle 65: verse 39:9:  ---“There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God.”

Lesson 65:  Joseph understood that any sin we commit is really an offense against God. Our sins may harm and defraud others, but God is always the One most aggrieved.

Principle 66: verse 39:21: ----” But the Lord was with Joseph and showed his mercy, and He gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."

Principle 66: Even when Joseph was thrown into prison for doing nothing wrong, God was with him and blessed him even in the dark place. So, the young man learned not to think of himself as a victim, but as a child of God. 14/6/2026.