Genesis 39:1-6: a reflection

1Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. 2The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand. 4Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. The LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome.

Joseph has been sold into slavery in Egypt, torn from his family, in a low and unjust position. Yet the text repeats a striking phrase: the LORD was with Joseph. Though a slave, in circumstances he did not deserve, the LORD was with him, and made him prosper, so that even his master saw that the LORD was with him. And through Joseph, God's blessing overflowed to Potiphar's whole house. Even in his low, unjust circumstances, God was present with Joseph, at work, blessing him and others through him.

Notice that the LORD was with Joseph even in his low, unjust circumstances. Joseph was a slave, wronged, in a position far below what he deserved; his circumstances were low and unjust. Yet God was with him there, present, at work, blessing him even in slavery, so that his master saw it, and blessing others through him. God's presence and work were not withdrawn because Joseph's circumstances were low and unjust; God was with him there, in the midst of them. And through the faithful Joseph, God's blessing reached even his Egyptian master's house.

That is worth taking to heart, for God can be present and at work with us even in low or unjust circumstances. We can feel that God has abandoned us when our circumstances are low, unjust, undeserved, as though his presence depended on our doing well; but the LORD was with Joseph in his slavery, present and at work. God's presence is not withdrawn when our circumstances are low or unjust; he can be with us there, at work, and even bless others through us. When you are in low or unjust circumstances, do not think God has abandoned you; he can be present and at work with you even there, as the LORD was with Joseph in his slavery. Trust that God is with you even in your low or unjust circumstances, at work in and through you, as the LORD was with Joseph the slave, blessing him and, through him, the house he served; for God's presence is not confined to good circumstances, but is with his own even in the low and unjust.

Lord, Joseph has been sold into slavery in Egypt, torn from his family, in a low and unjust position. Yet the text repeats a striking phrase: the LORD was with Joseph. Though a slave, in circumstances he did not deserve, you were with him, and made him prosper, so that even his master saw that you were with him. And through Joseph, your blessing overflowed to Potiphar's whole house. Even in his low, unjust circumstances, you were present with Joseph, at work. Show me that you were with Joseph even in his low, unjust circumstances. Joseph was a slave, wronged, in a position far below what he deserved. Yet you were with him there, present, at work, blessing him even in slavery, and blessing others through him. Your presence and work were not withdrawn because his circumstances were low and unjust. Take that to my heart, for you can be present and at work with me even in low or unjust circumstances. I can feel that you have abandoned me when my circumstances are low, unjust, undeserved, as though your presence depended on my doing well; but you were with Joseph in his slavery. Your presence is not withdrawn when my circumstances are low or unjust. When I am in low or unjust circumstances, keep me from thinking you have abandoned me; you can be present and at work with me even there, Lord, as you were with Joseph. Help me trust that you are with me even in my low or unjust circumstances, at work in and through me.