Genesis chapter 39
Joseph in the house of Potiphar
The scene can be compared to the real world; Potiphar means the "priest of the bull", attesting to the idolatrous nature of Egypt. The world into which Christ came was full of idolatry. Joseph was sold as a slave to the house of Potiphar; he was so, not by choice, but because of betrayal. Jesus came into the world as a slave by choice (Philippians 2v7-"He took upon Him the form of a servant"). Joseph's demeanour in this servile position was exemplary, and was given honour in the household for his obedient service, and his value was noted by all. Jesus' life in this world, in humble service, was such that people were astonished at His teaching, His actions, His manner, and they noticed he was in favour with God and men. The key to the chapter is the threefold comment "The Lord was with him"-39v2, v3, and v21. He prospered in all that He did; He found favour with those in contact with Him, it was evident God was with Him. He was with Him in the house, He was with Him in the prison. Joseph is a worthy example of the life of Christ in adverse circumstances. We can trace some of the beauties of the life of Christ as a humble servant in the world of His day.
Luke 2v40 "And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit and filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him"; Luke 2v52 "And Jesus increased in stature and in favour with God and man"; Acts 10v38 "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him." Mark 7v37 "And were beyond measure astonished saying He hath done all things well...". No one could avoid the conclusion that God was with Him. As with Joseph, so with Jesus. Joseph prefigured a perfect life that would be lived out in every situation. He is the very essence of godliness in an ungodly world.
John 1v18 "The word became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." The high ranking member of the ruling Sanhedrim, Nicodemus, acknowledged "Rabbi we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles except God be with Him." He said Himself, "He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please the Father"-John 8v29. Concerning His time of persecution, He said "Behold the hour cometh. yea is now come, that bye shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me"-John 16v32. God was with Him all the way from Bethlehem to Golgotha, where they crucified Him. Through it all His godly demeanour was evident to all, and this is prefigured in Joseph.
Joseph was tempted to sin in the house of Potiphar, but he resisted the temptation. Jesus was tempted to sin in the wilderness by Satan, and He resisted the wiles of the devil.
Joseph was tested to the limit in the prison, where he was placed through false accusation. Jesus was subjected to false arrest in Gethsemane; taken unlawfully to Gabbatha the hall of Judgment; callously and brutally maltreated and crucified, an innocent man, who had done nothing but good. Of Joseph it was said in Psalm 105v17-19, "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant (slave): whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him." The RV and others render this as, "his feet were in fetters and his soul was laid in iron", thus pointing to both the physical and spiritual suffering of Joseph, who languished 13 years in the prison. However it was the Lord who was testing him for the work He had in mind, namely the deliverance of the then world. We know of the extreme physical sufferings of Jesus, who suffered more than any man in body (Isaiah 52v14 "...His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men." What of His spiritual sufferings as He suffered at the hand of the Lord- lamentations 1v12 "Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger." The trials of Joseph, in body and soul, were but a tiny preview of the physical and spiritual agony of Jesus to save the world.
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