Genesis 39:1-6 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian… Prosperity is not always a sign of God's special favour, yet prosperity undoubtedly comes from God, and is a fruit of God's love to His own people, when He sees that prosperity is better for them than adversity. But how did God show that He was present with Joseph, by making him to prosper? Was not Joseph's prosperity more properly his master's than his own, when all the business which he transacted was his master's, and the profit redounded to him? It is true, that Joseph's prosperity was, to outward appearance, his master's advantage rather than his own. But as "the little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked," so the benefit which Joseph derived from Gem's kindness to him was far greater than his master's. He saw the love of God mitigating and sweetening his sorrows, and recommending him to his master's favorer, that he might spend even the days of his banishment and humiliation with comfort. The more clearly we can discern the love of God in any prosperous incidents, the more pleasure we can take in them. A temporary relief in bondage with the love of God, is worth more than all the prosperity which ungodly men can enjoy. (G. Lawson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. |
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