Genesis 39:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Joseph bought in Egypt (Genesis 39:1). Whoever paid for him got a good deal, better than silver, because Joseph was worth far more than his price. The Jews have a saying that if the world knew the value of good people, it would fence them in with pearls. He was sold to an officer of Pharaoh, so he could come into contact with rulers and public business, which would prepare him for the high place God planned for him.

We should note two things here. First, when God has a purpose for someone, he will surely equip that person in the right way. Second, we should see God’s hand even in the placement of poor servants and in where they end up living and working. He may be working through those ordinary events toward something large and important.

Joseph was also blessed, and blessed greatly, even in the house where he served as a slave. God made him prosper (Genesis 39:2-3). Potiphar’s household may have been failing before Joseph arrived, but when Joseph came, things turned around quickly and visibly. Even if Joseph began with the humblest tasks, his skill and hard work showed through them, and God’s special favor was on him more and more as he advanced.

This reminds us of three things. Those who have wisdom and godly character still have what matters most, even if everything else is taken from them. Joseph’s brothers took away his special coat, but they could not take away his virtue or good sense. Also, people may separate us from our friends, but they cannot separate us from God’s gracious presence. Joseph was away from his family, but the Lord was with him, and that was his comfort.

God’s presence is what makes our work succeed. If we want to prosper, we must make God our friend. And if we do prosper, we should give God the credit.

Joseph’s master also raised him step by step, until he was put in charge of the whole household (Genesis 39:4). Hard work and honesty are the safest path to rising in life. If a man is wise, faithful, and diligent, he may one day stand before kings and not always serve ordinary men. It is wise for those in authority to notice and use people on whom God’s favor seems to rest (Psalm 101:6).

Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, knew what he was doing when he put everything under Joseph’s care. He saw that Joseph made things prosper better than he could on his own. Jesus teaches the same principle with his servants, that the one who is faithful in small things will be given greater responsibility (Matthew 25:21). It is also a great relief for a master to have a servant he can trust. Potiphar trusted Joseph so fully that he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate (Genesis 39:6). Joseph carried the care and burden of the whole estate, while his master enjoyed the benefits of it. No master should expect that kind of trust unless he has a servant like Joseph in every way.

God also blessed Potiphar’s house because of Joseph (Genesis 39:5). Potiphar was an Egyptian and did not know the true God, yet God blessed his household for Joseph’s sake. Potiphar himself likely learned this by experience, as Laban learned in Jacob’s case (Genesis 30:27). Good people are a blessing wherever they live, even when they are servants and are not held in high esteem. In a real sense, the prosperity of the wicked often comes for the sake of the godly. Here, a wicked family was blessed because one good servant lived in it.