The account continues and gives us a picture of Joseph’s early life as a slave in Egypt. God, however, allowed Joseph to be placed in the home of a very influential man; Potiphar, who was a captain of Pharaoh’s guard. We are told that “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered ••••• and the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” .
Although this situation would not be applicable to our Lord Jesus, yet we are given a brief view of our Lord’s childhood. “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
We should, however, learn some lessons from the life of Joseph that he spent in slavery, as this was God’s preparation for him to face the many situations and decisions he would have in the years to follow. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
It should be noted that all sin is against God primarily even though in some cases it involves an individual or other people. With this in mind we should endeavour to allow the Holy Spirit to help us to live a holy life.
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him……the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”
Wherever God chooses to place us as we serve Him, we must remain faithful to Him if we are going to be of any use to Him. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
One final thought is: “the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.”
In this we see to some extent a picture of our Lord Jesus in the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham: “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
We too should seek to be like Joseph so that others with whom we associate will receive some blessing from the Lord as a result of our “Christ like behaviour”.