Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Reading God's Word and learning more about His plan for my life each day!
Monday, October 7, 2002
Introduction to Journey Through the Bible
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are with me in the difficult times of life that are sure to come to me and to everyone sometimes! As I read Joseph’s story, I can’t really imagine what it would have been like to have been sold into slavery by my brothers, to be falsely accused and put into prison after gaining some measure of respect and comfort in Potiphar’s home, and to remain in prison for several years without cause. Yet, I know that You were always with Joseph, and particularly so in his trials. By Your Holy Spirit fill and empower me today, and move me to live faithfully whatever my circumstances. I pray for the courage and joy to live as Joseph lived—trusting You always and knowing the joy of Your favor even when others turned away. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
My Journey Verses for Today
Genesis 39:1-23
1 Now when Joseph arrived in Egypt with the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, a member of the personal staff of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was the captain of the palace guard. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 So Joseph naturally became quite a favorite with him. Potiphar soon put Joseph in charge of his entire household and entrusted him with all his business dealings. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge, the LORD began to bless Potiphar for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn't have a worry in the world, except to decide what he wanted to eat!Now Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man. 7 And about this time, Potiphar's wife began to desire him and invited him to sleep with her. 8 But Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God." 10 She kept putting pressure on him day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he was doing his work inside the house. 12 She came and grabbed him by his shirt, demanding, "Sleep with me!" Joseph tore himself away, but as he did, his shirt came off. She was left holding it as he ran from the house. 13 When she saw that she had his shirt and that he had fled, 14 she began screaming. Soon all the men around the place came running. "My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to insult us!" she sobbed. "He tried to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard my loud cries, he ran and left his shirt behind with me." 16 She kept the shirt with her, and when her husband came home that night, 17 she told him her story. "That Hebrew slave you've had around here tried to make a fool of me," she said. 18 "I was saved only by my screams. He ran out, leaving his shirt behind!" 19 After hearing his wife's story, Potiphar was furious! 20 He took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king's prisoners were held. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph there, too, and he granted Joseph favor with the chief jailer. 22 Before long, the jailer put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The chief jailer had no more worries after that, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully.
Reflecting on God's Word for My Journey
What is the most difficult circumstance in which you have ever found yourself? What was the cause of the circumstance? What did you do about it?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word for My Journey
Where did Joseph begin his slavery in Egypt? What was the outcome of his work? (39:1-20)
What happened next to Joseph? (39:21-23)
Understanding God's Will for My Journey
Do you think you would have seen God’s hand at work in your life if you were Joseph? Why or why not?
What indications are there—other than the specific comment that God was with Joseph—is there that God WAS with Joseph?
Applying What God's Word Tells Me to My Journey
What does today’s Scripture teach you about what to do when you find yourselves in a difficult situation? How will you do this in your life today?
My Personal Journey Thought for the Day—“The LORD Was With Joseph!”
If you read the whole story of Joseph’s life in one sitting, one of the important details is that we’re told “the Lord was with Joseph” every time Joseph ended up in trouble, difficulty, or in a situation that would have weighed heavily on anyone who would have had to endure it. When Joseph finally got to go before Pharaoh to interpret his dream of the coming famine, we are NOT told that the LORD was with Joseph. When Joseph is made the second in command in all of Egypt, Pharaoh says that it is obvious that the LORD is with Joseph, but we are NOT told that the LORD was with Joseph. What’s my point? God is always with us, but in the darkest moments of our lives God is particularly with us. We may feel abandoned, or lost, or angry in many situations, but it is in those situations most of all that the LORD is with us! The Good News of Jesus includes this vital reality: Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you….I will be with you always, even to the very close of the age.” When God is in our lives we are never alone. When we need Him the most He IS there. Joseph was put at the very bottom of life—he lived as a slave, and then as a prisoner, and in those times more than any other—The LORD was with Joseph. It was during those times of trial that God forged the leader who was able to deliver Egypt and his own people when the opportunity came!
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