Yahweh was with him
This passage mentions several times that Yahweh was with Joseph. The passage reminds us that it wasn’t by Joseph’s own strength that he received such favor in Potiphar’s household, and later in Pharoah’s household, but it was by God’s strength. This is a good reminder, that our blessings and our accomplishments came by God’s strength, because Yahweh is with us.
But then a fear sets in. If all that is good in our lives came because God was with us, what if he leaves? We should be sure to provide for ourselves if he leaves, saving food, money, etc. for that day. Of course, if God wasn’t with us, none of our preparations would matter.
Jesus said, “See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26) Jesus reminds us that we are important to God, and he does not leave us.
But God’s plan is not always what we expect. Yahweh was with Joseph even when he was imprisoned. Joseph’s life went up and down, with success followed by failure. He was the favorite child, but then was sold into slavery. Then he succeeded in Potiphar’s house, but was then thrown into prison. Finally he was released and became the second most powerful person in Egypt (and probably the world). Yahweh was with him through all of it.
So, this reading reminds me that God is always with us, and is always in control, from when we are the lowest to when we are the highest.
Richard Venable
Hannah Venable
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on November 12th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
That’s cool Richard! Am I able to suggest here that perhaps it was by a combination of God and Joseph’s strength that the divine plan was carried out. There seems to be a dialogue between human agency and God’s agency in the world and throughout scripture that make me hesitant towards suggesting it was all God. As humans I think we are capable of at least some good towards the divine plans. What are your thoughts?
on November 13th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I don’t have a problem with that. I wasn’t suggesting that it was all God and no Joseph.
God’s absolute sovereignty over every aspect of this universe is one of my most basic beliefs, and it is the idea that I most frequently focus on when approaching God.
I believe that God uses us and our strengths to accomplish his will. In my mind, God’s sovereignty doesn’t eliminate our free will and ability to choose to follow God or not. But, I think our free will strengthens God’s sovereignty over us rather than reduce it.
on November 14th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I think you are right when you say that our free will strengthens God’s sovereignty over us rather than reducing it. HOW that actually work . . . I have no idea. But I do think that the more we believe in how in control God is, how much He is with us and takes care us, the more motivated we are to follow Him and serve Him. So, there does seem to be a link.
Joseph certainly believed in God’s sovereignty 100%. He tells his brothers, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you . . . So then, it was not you who sent me here but God.” (Genesis 45:5, 8). But this idea of God’s sovereignty doesn’t seem to keep Joseph back from doing the right thing. God’s sovereignty doesn’t cripple us but rather inspires us and makes us free. Joseph works hard throughout his trials and then here offers great forgiveness and mercy to his brothers. His still makes good free decisions because he knows that God is completely in control.
Hannah