the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. But the LORDThe phrase "But the LORD" introduces a pivotal contrast in the narrative of Joseph's life. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and faithful relationship with His people. This phrase signifies a divine intervention and presence that transcends Joseph's dire circumstances. Historically, this reflects the consistent biblical theme that God remains sovereign and active, even when human situations seem bleak. was with Joseph
The Hebrew word for "with" (אֵת, 'et) indicates a close, personal presence. This phrase underscores the intimate relationship between God and Joseph, highlighting that God's presence is not just a distant oversight but an active companionship. In the broader scriptural context, this mirrors God's promise to be with His people, as seen in the lives of other patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac. and extended kindness to him
The word "kindness" (חֶסֶד, chesed) in Hebrew is rich with meaning, often translated as loving-kindness or steadfast love. It conveys a sense of loyal love and mercy that is covenantal in nature. This kindness is not merely a passive feeling but an active extension of God's grace and favor, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. granting him favor
The term "favor" (חֵן, chen) suggests grace and acceptance. In the ancient Near Eastern context, favor was often seen as a sign of divine blessing and approval. Joseph's favor in the eyes of others, despite his circumstances, is a testament to God's sovereign ability to influence human hearts and situations for His purposes. in the eyes of the prison warden
The phrase "in the eyes of" is a Hebrew idiom that means in the opinion or judgment of someone. The "prison warden" represents authority and control within the confines of Joseph's imprisonment. This highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention, as Joseph finds favor even in a place designed to be devoid of hope and freedom. Historically, this reflects the biblical principle that God's favor can transcend human systems and hierarchies. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephA Hebrew man sold into slavery by his brothers, who rose to prominence in Potiphar's house before being falsely accused and imprisoned. 2. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who remains faithful to His promises and is actively involved in Joseph's life. 3. The Prison WardenThe official in charge of the prison where Joseph was held, who recognized Joseph's integrity and leadership abilities. 4. The PrisonThe place where Joseph was confined after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, yet where he continued to experience God's favor. 5. Potiphar's HouseThe initial place of Joseph's servitude in Egypt, where he was entrusted with great responsibility before his imprisonment. Teaching Points God's Presence in AdversityEven in the darkest circumstances, God is with His people, providing comfort and guidance. Divine Favor and Human ResponsibilityWhile God grants favor, Joseph's integrity and diligence play a role in his success and influence. Faithfulness in TrialsJoseph's account encourages believers to remain faithful and trust in God's plan, even when facing unjust situations. God's Sovereignty and TimingGod's purposes are fulfilled in His timing, often using trials to prepare and position His people for future roles. Witness Through ConductJoseph's behavior in prison serves as a testimony to God's work in his life, impacting those around him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joseph's experience in prison demonstrate the principle of God's presence in adversity, and how can this encourage us in our own trials? 2. In what ways did Joseph's integrity and work ethic contribute to the favor he received, and how can we apply these principles in our daily lives? 3. How does the theme of divine favor in Joseph's life connect with the promise of Romans 8:28, and what does this mean for us today? 4. What can we learn from Joseph about maintaining faithfulness and trust in God's plan, even when facing unjust circumstances? 5. How can Joseph's conduct in prison serve as a model for our witness to others, and what practical steps can we take to reflect God's work in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 39:2-3Earlier in the chapter, it is noted that the LORD was with Joseph, leading to his success in Potiphar's house. This theme of divine presence and favor continues in the prison. Acts 7:9-10Stephen recounts Joseph's account, emphasizing God's presence and deliverance, which aligns with the theme of divine favor in adversity. Psalm 105:17-19This passage reflects on Joseph's trials and God's purpose in them, highlighting the testing of his character. Romans 8:28This verse speaks to God's ability to work all things for good for those who love Him, a principle evident in Joseph's life. Hebrews 13:5The promise of God's constant presence, which is a reassurance seen in Joseph's experiences. People Ishmaelites, Joseph, Pharaoh, PotipharPlaces EgyptTopics Chief, Extended, Favor, Favour, Friend, Grace, Granted, Jailer, Joseph, Keeper, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Prison, Putteth, Round-house, Showed, Sight, Steadfast, Stretcheth, Tower-house, WardenDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 39:21 5461 prisoners
5523 servants, good
5861 favour, human
8291 kindness Genesis 39:20-21 4019 life, believers' experience
5931 resistance Genesis 39:20-22 5344 imprisonment
5485 punishment, legal aspects Genesis 39:20-23 5054 responsibility, examples Library Goodness in a Dungeon
'And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJoseph
(Preached on the Sunday before the Wedding of the Prince of Wales. March 8th, third Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxxix. 9. How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? The story of Joseph is one which will go home to all healthy hearts. Every child can understand, every child can feel with it. It is a story for all men and all times. Even if it had not been true, and not real fact, but a romance of man's invention, it would have been loved and admired by men; far more then, when we know …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch The Complete Surrender.
Genesis 39:1-3.--Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him at the hands of the Ishmaelites, 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. We have in this passage an object lesson which teaches us what Christ is to us. Note: Joseph was a slave, but God was with him so distinctly …
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
Text: Romans 6, 19-23. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. 20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. 21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 39:21 NIVGenesis 39:21 NLTGenesis 39:21 ESVGenesis 39:21 NASBGenesis 39:21 KJV
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