Having A Biblical Perspective
by Bro. James Scott
05/23/2023
Genesis 39:1-6 - “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.”
Have you ever experienced a situation in which your life was instantly changed? For example, the doctor enters the room and says, “It's cancer.” Or your boss steps into your office and says, “You're fired.” Maybe, you get a call from the police, and they say, “I am sorry, but your house burned down.” Have you ever experienced a situation in which your life was flipped upside down? Joseph was in a very similar position in Genesis 39. Back in Canaan, Joseph was beloved by Jacob. In fact, he was the favored son of Jacob. In Canaan, his present situation looked great. His future looked promising. No doubt he was looking to get a wonderful blessing from his father. Life was very comfortable for Joseph. However, in Genesis 39, Joseph has been sold into slavery by his brothers and is on his way to the slave market to be bought by Potiphar. His life was flipped upside down in a day. He is now an anonymous slave. His present situation does not look so good. His future does not look so bright. Everything has gone downhill for Joseph. Joseph was in a terrible trial. However, in verses 1-6, we see that God was able to bless Joseph during his trial.
Many people believe that for God to bless them, He needs to take them out of their trial. However, that is not the case. If God's desire is for us to go through that trial, then God will pave the way (Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11).
The question is this: Do we have a biblical perspective when viewing trials? Notice what God did in the midst of Joseph's trial in Genesis 39.
1. Joseph prospered during his trial.
Verse 2, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”
2. Joseph had a good testimony during his trial.
Verse 3, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.”
3. Joseph had patience during his trial.
Verse 5a, “And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake;....”
Many of us don’t consider how much time passes between each event when we read scripture. How long was Joseph in Potiphar’s house? We know that Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:2). We know that Joseph was 30 when Pharaoh promoted him (Genesis 41:46). Joseph was in prison for two years before his promotion (Genesis 41:1). Therefore, Joseph was possibly in Potiphar’s house for about 11 years. Our trials can sometimes last just a few days. Sometimes it can last years. As Christians, we must remember that God is in control, and even though we are in a trial He can still bless us.
05/23/2023
Genesis 39:1-6 - “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.”
Have you ever experienced a situation in which your life was instantly changed? For example, the doctor enters the room and says, “It's cancer.” Or your boss steps into your office and says, “You're fired.” Maybe, you get a call from the police, and they say, “I am sorry, but your house burned down.” Have you ever experienced a situation in which your life was flipped upside down? Joseph was in a very similar position in Genesis 39. Back in Canaan, Joseph was beloved by Jacob. In fact, he was the favored son of Jacob. In Canaan, his present situation looked great. His future looked promising. No doubt he was looking to get a wonderful blessing from his father. Life was very comfortable for Joseph. However, in Genesis 39, Joseph has been sold into slavery by his brothers and is on his way to the slave market to be bought by Potiphar. His life was flipped upside down in a day. He is now an anonymous slave. His present situation does not look so good. His future does not look so bright. Everything has gone downhill for Joseph. Joseph was in a terrible trial. However, in verses 1-6, we see that God was able to bless Joseph during his trial.
Many people believe that for God to bless them, He needs to take them out of their trial. However, that is not the case. If God's desire is for us to go through that trial, then God will pave the way (Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11).
The question is this: Do we have a biblical perspective when viewing trials? Notice what God did in the midst of Joseph's trial in Genesis 39.
1. Joseph prospered during his trial.
Verse 2, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”
2. Joseph had a good testimony during his trial.
Verse 3, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.”
3. Joseph had patience during his trial.
Verse 5a, “And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake;....”
Many of us don’t consider how much time passes between each event when we read scripture. How long was Joseph in Potiphar’s house? We know that Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:2). We know that Joseph was 30 when Pharaoh promoted him (Genesis 41:46). Joseph was in prison for two years before his promotion (Genesis 41:1). Therefore, Joseph was possibly in Potiphar’s house for about 11 years. Our trials can sometimes last just a few days. Sometimes it can last years. As Christians, we must remember that God is in control, and even though we are in a trial He can still bless us.
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