March 9 - Genesis 36-39
The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and Genesis 39 is one of the most compelling narratives in the Old Testament. These chapters reveal themes of jealousy, suffering, integrity, and God’s providence. Joseph’s life demonstrates that even in the midst of betrayal and hardship, God remains sovereign and faithful. Through Joseph’s trials, Scripture shows how God prepares His servants for greater purposes.
In Genesis 37, Joseph is introduced as the favored son of Jacob. Joseph was seventeen years old and worked alongside his brothers tending their father’s flocks. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was the son of his old age, and he expressed this favoritism by giving Joseph a coat of many colors. This visible sign of preference created deep resentment among Joseph’s brothers. The text states that they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him (Genesis 37:4).
Joseph’s dreams further intensified their jealousy. In the first dream, Joseph saw sheaves of grain in the field, where his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. These dreams suggested that Joseph would one day rule over his family. When Joseph shared these dreams, his brothers became even more enraged, interpreting them as a claim that Joseph would dominate them. Even Jacob rebuked him, though the passage says Jacob kept the matter in mind.
Soon after, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were grazing the flock near Shechem. When the brothers saw Joseph approaching in his distinctive coat, their hatred turned into a murderous plot. They conspired to kill him and throw him into a pit, intending to claim that a wild animal had devoured him. Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened and persuaded them not to kill Joseph but instead to throw him into an empty pit, hoping to rescue him later.
However, while Reuben was away, the brothers saw a caravan of Ishmaelite traders heading to Egypt. Judah suggested selling Joseph instead of killing him, arguing that since Joseph was their brother, they should not shed his blood. The brothers agreed and sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver. The traders took Joseph to Egypt, while the brothers dipped his coat in goat’s blood and deceived Jacob into believing Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourned deeply, refusing comfort, while Joseph was carried far away into slavery.
Genesis 39 shifts the focus to Joseph’s life in Egypt and reveals God’s presence with him despite his suffering. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. The passage repeatedly emphasizes that “the Lord was with Joseph,” and because of this, Joseph prospered even as a slave. Potiphar recognized Joseph’s abilities and eventually placed him in charge of his entire household.
Joseph’s faithfulness and competence brought blessing not only to himself but also to Potiphar’s household. Scripture says that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Potiphar trusted Joseph so completely that he left everything under Joseph’s care except the food he ate.
However, Joseph soon faced another severe trial. Potiphar’s wife began to desire him and repeatedly attempted to seduce him. Joseph refused her advances, demonstrating remarkable integrity. He explained that Potiphar had entrusted everything to him and that giving in to temptation would be both a betrayal of his master and a sin against God. Joseph declared, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).
One day, when Joseph fled from her attempt to seduce him, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of trying to assault her. Using Joseph’s garment as supposed evidence, she convinced her household and eventually her husband of the accusation. As a result, Joseph was thrown into prison.
Even in prison, however, the pattern continued: “the Lord was with Joseph.” God granted Joseph favor with the prison keeper, who placed him in charge of the other prisoners. Just as in Potiphar’s house, Joseph proved trustworthy and capable, and everything under his care prospered.
Joseph’s story reminds readers that suffering does not mean abandonment by God. Instead, God often uses hardship to prepare His people for future purposes. Joseph’s trials were not the end of his story but the beginning of God’s greater plan to preserve many lives.