Gen 39 NKJV “2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4a So Joseph found favor in his sight“
These verses of the scripture require profound thoughts and careful considerations. Not in so many verses, do you read that ‘the Lord was with’ an individual. That phrase launched other proceeding ones that enswathed Joseph through his lifetime. I think of one reason for this paean phrase – Joseph must have won God’s heart, put differently, God was pleased with Joseph’s lifestyle.
Let’s throwback a little, when God gave Abraham a specific command to sacrifice Isaac, his only son whom he waited for about 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled, he obeyed without any hesitation. No doubts, Abraham had nurtured and raised Isaac. He must have committed much in cash and kind for his mental, physical and spiritual growth. Just about that time when He should reap the fruits of His labour, God required a great deal from him. Abraham obeyed promptly. Oh heavens! have you pondered on how great a Faith that man of God possessed? May God help us not to delay in obedience to what he requires from us (Amen). Abraham became wreathed with God so much that he was known as his friend. And God would not do anything without Abraham’s knowledge/consent. Oh, how I desire to be at that level of intimacy with the creator of the heavens and earth.
In Abraham’s obedience, we see Isaac’s submission. Isaac, that man of God who sowed and reaped bountifully even in a strange land, raised Jacob. Jacob, the man who told God “I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies“. That man Jacob was responsible for the upbringing of that fine young man, Joseph. Are you connecting the dots yet? That was 3 whole generations imbued to a lifestyle of godliness, influence, exploits, and fulfillment. What a man, Abraham was. What a decider his life became. God is in search of other ‘Abrahams’, who would percolate holy living in their lives and their children and their children’s children.
Has it crossed your mind to think what would have become of Abraham or his generations, if he didn’t revere God? That’s right, nothing would have been heard of a tribe of Judah, of David or Jesse’s lineage.
Now, back to Egypt, Joseph’s master saw all he did and how the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. The emphasis on “all”. Potiphar was impressed, he was amazed! The life of influence Joseph lived, stunned him. In this year, 2022, in that little corner where God has placed you, go and shine forth for Him. Why? Because God wants to prosper your ways and make you a source of favour just like He did for Joseph.
Let’s spotlight on a familiar verse in the same Gen 39. Verse 9b “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Wow! That right there is portentous. If you ponder on this statement made by Joseph then you will understand why God chose to be with him ab initio. Joseph was one man that learned about God, his principles, and precepts and kept them. He wasn’t ready to sacrifice his relationship on the bed of fornication, and illicit relationship with his master’s wife.
This year, you must break off those things that stand in the way of your relationship with God. That song, relationship, place, person, activity, etc that make you do “great wickedness and sin against God”, you must be willing and ready to let them off the hook.
Jacob must have instructed Joseph quite well in the way of the LORD. The scripture in Prov. 22:26 CEV says “Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right”. AMP version – “Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it“. You have a responsibility as a parent, don’t fail in it. Make godly influence, a lifestyle and an heredity. As a child, you also have a responsibility to heed to the training first, then, to personally know and prove God.
Let me expose a certain truth here – do you know that more than 400 years after Joseph’s incident with Potiphar’s wife was when God gave Moses the ten commandments? How did Joseph know about these commandments already? From where did he learn not to sin against God? Why did he decide to be a good and godly Christian? He was young. He was strikingly handsome (Gen 39:6 MSG). He probably was famous, being a stranger in Egypt. He had excuses that could make sense to people but never to God. He chose to live a lifestyle of influence.
Joseph understood that to get to his destiny (a prime minister in Egypt), he needed to stand out for righteousness. Joseph made a conscious decision to allow God’s words and precepts to be his guiding principles through life. I sure hope you’d do the same each day for the rest of your life. Joseph imbibed the training of Jacob, his father. He reverenced God. He was hardworking and diligent. And God favoured him greatly for these.
Today, get in line. Make a decision today to serve God in truth, in deed and in all speck of holiness. Ditch sin and it’s unrighteousness. Purpose to live a lifestyle of godly influence. Your breakthrough is here. I am convinced that our God, the great God in heaven, would cocoon you in favour all the days of your life.
EGC 2022
P.S. Happy new year to y’all.
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