Perspective: Wk2 - FRI
Conviction
Genesis 39:19-23
When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
The accusation has been made, and the master of the house is furious. Yet the supervisor of palace executions responds to his wife’s allegations of rape by placing the alleged perpetrator in the royal prison. That seems mild. Is his response evidence that Potiphar believes Joseph over his wife? But he cannot let this go unpunished. Prison time it is.
Once again, whether this is good or bad news is all a matter of perspective. Slavery was a sudden, horrific shock to Joseph. But he applies himself, gains favor, and becomes indispensable to his master. Good fortune, right? Ah, now he is in the path of a selfish deviant willing to frame him with the worst kind of lies, resulting in a life sentence. Catastrophe, no? Except Joseph is now positioned to serve his cellmates, listen to their dreams, and build the network that will bring about the fulfillment of God’s prophecies for his life and the redemption of his family. Crazy.
We often struggle to keep an accurate score of what is happening in our lives. Some of our greatest disappointments become the path to moments we treasure. Other times, we claim a win before realizing the hidden cost of our circumstances. Like seeing around the corner of a building, we have to walk the full block before our vision clears.
Once again, the ever-developing theme of Joseph’s life reappears. “The Lord was with Joseph.” And again, he is unwaveringly conscientious, diligent, and an influential leader. “The Lord gave him success in everything he did.” Perspective.
Genesis 39:19-23
When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
The accusation has been made, and the master of the house is furious. Yet the supervisor of palace executions responds to his wife’s allegations of rape by placing the alleged perpetrator in the royal prison. That seems mild. Is his response evidence that Potiphar believes Joseph over his wife? But he cannot let this go unpunished. Prison time it is.
Once again, whether this is good or bad news is all a matter of perspective. Slavery was a sudden, horrific shock to Joseph. But he applies himself, gains favor, and becomes indispensable to his master. Good fortune, right? Ah, now he is in the path of a selfish deviant willing to frame him with the worst kind of lies, resulting in a life sentence. Catastrophe, no? Except Joseph is now positioned to serve his cellmates, listen to their dreams, and build the network that will bring about the fulfillment of God’s prophecies for his life and the redemption of his family. Crazy.
We often struggle to keep an accurate score of what is happening in our lives. Some of our greatest disappointments become the path to moments we treasure. Other times, we claim a win before realizing the hidden cost of our circumstances. Like seeing around the corner of a building, we have to walk the full block before our vision clears.
Once again, the ever-developing theme of Joseph’s life reappears. “The Lord was with Joseph.” And again, he is unwaveringly conscientious, diligent, and an influential leader. “The Lord gave him success in everything he did.” Perspective.
- Think of a time you were punished as a child. How were you punished? What was it for? Did you deserve the punishment?
- Isaiah 53:5 says that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and that His punishment brings us peace. How do you respond to Him after He has done this? Consider writing a prayer that includes your thanksgiving.
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