Focal Passage: Genesis 39:3-12, 19-21
I was recently challenged to throw a Christian bachelor party for my best friend. One of the first ideas to come to mind was to take him to an arcade. What guy doesn’t love video games, right? (Within moderation, of course.) What I love about an arcade game is that whether you win or lose, play well or poorly, there is never a loss of joy. The gameplay itself brings a satisfaction separate from any points or tickets you might win as a result. In other words, the blessing is not dependent on you but on the game itself.
It would be easy to read Genesis 39 and believe falsely that God is blessing Joseph because of his faithfulness. A closer read reveals that God blesses Joseph with success because He is God.
He has a plan, He has graciously included Joseph in that plan, and God favors him and causes him to prosper to advance it for His glory. Joseph’s faithfulness is in response to God’s favor, not as an attempt to receive it.
Verses 9-10 read, “There is no one greater in this house than I … How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”
God has blessed. How can I repay Him with rebellion and disobedience?
Further proof that Joseph’s faithfulness is not the cause of God’s blessing is seen in verses 19-21. After Joseph has withstood temptation, he is still imprisoned. Yet, God was working to accomplish His redemptive plan.
Believer, you are highly favored of the Lord, but such favor is pure grace and mercy. You cannot earn it, and you do not deserve it.
The proper response to God’s gracious favor is faithfulness in the midst of temptation and an understanding that to be faithful is to ensure a certain amount of suffering for His sake. Still, there is a satisfaction separate from the blessings of this world and immune to trials, the eternal, insurmountable joy found in Christ Himself.