Genesis 39:19 - Meaning and Application

Here Joseph was wronged by his master. Potiphar believed the accusation, and Joseph either did not dare defend himself, because the truth would have reflected badly on his mistress, or Potiphar would not listen or believe him. So there was no remedy, and Joseph was sentenced to life in prison (Genesis 39:19, Genesis 39:20). God restrained Potiphar’s anger, for otherwise he might have killed Joseph. Even so, God turned that prison sentence to Joseph’s honor. Providence arranged for him to be shut up with the king’s prisoners, the state prisoners. Potiphar likely chose that prison because it was the harshest one, where, as Psalm 105:18 says, the iron entered his soul. But God used it to prepare the way for Joseph’s release. He was sent to the king’s prison so that later he could be raised up to the king’s side. Many false imprisonments will one day be laid to the charge of the enemies and persecutors of God’s people. Our Lord Jesus, like Joseph here, was bound and counted among lawbreakers.

Joseph was also owned and defended by his God, who is, and will always be, the just and powerful friend of oppressed innocence. Joseph was far from all his family and friends. He had no one there to comfort him, help him, or speak for him. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy (Genesis 39:21). God does not despise his prisoners (Psalm 69:33). No gates or bars can shut out his gracious presence from his people, because he has promised never to leave them.

Those who have a good conscience in prison also have a good God there. Integrity and uprightness make us fit to receive God’s favor, wherever we are. Joseph did not stay a prisoner for long before he became, in a small way, a ruler even in prison. Under God, this came from two things. First, the prison keeper favored him. God gave Joseph favor in the eyes of the keeper of the prison. God can raise up friends for his people where they least expect them, and he can make them pitied even by those who hold them captive (Psalm 106:46). Second, Joseph was well suited for the work. The keeper saw that God was with him, and that everything prospered under his hand. So he trusted Joseph with the running of the prison’s affairs (Genesis 39:22, Genesis 39:23). Wisdom and goodness show themselves even in the smallest places. A good man will do good wherever he is, and he will be a blessing even in chains and exile, for the Spirit of the Lord is not chained or driven away, as seen in Paul’s case (Philippians 1:12, Philippians 1:13).