Saturday 10-17-09

Genesis 39

Genesis 39:2-3

2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Notice here how the Lord is with Joseph, and it is the Lord who makes him prosper. Also it was so evident that is was God who made Joseph prosper that Potiphar the master of the house noticed it.

Now not long after God blessed Joseph's work and everything was going well, Potiphars' wife lies and accuses Joseph of attempted rape, well Potiphar throws Joseph in prison.

Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

As I just reread this verse this really struck me. That is that Joseph was shown mercy, he was a sinner he didn't deserve God to prosper everything he did, he didn't deserve to work for a high ranking official, he didn't deserve anything but hell. Yet God showed mercy on him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. I act like I deserve so much, I do not deserve anything but eternity in the lake of fire, I don't deserve salvation, I don't deserve the word of God in my language, I don't deserve to have God work in my heart, the list goes on and on and on... I have been the undeserving recipient of God's grace and mercy (not to mention love!), and yet I am so unthankful...

I love this story it is such a beautiful example of God's sovereignty. Joseph almost was murdered but God used Ruben to keep Joseph alive, then Joseph gets sold into slavery, and God works it so that he gets sold to this high ranking official, then Joseph gets thrown into jail for a crime he didn't commit, while in jail Joseph basically does the 'wardens' job for him. I am looking forward to finishing the story hopefully tomorrow and seeing how else God is going to work mightily in Joseph's life.

Grace through Jehovah Jireh (The Lord who provides)