TRUSTWORTHY EMPLOYEES
(Gn. 39:1-41:16)
In what is a fairly familiar part of the Old Testament, today one reads of Joseph, having been sold into slavery in Egypt, now being tested by Potiphar’s wife. What one dare not miss in reading this text are the references to Joseph’s character. Twice in today’s text and once tomorrow, one finds the Scriptures stating that Joseph could be trusted by his ‘employers’ to faithfully discharge the duties assigned him. “So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything…” (Gn. 39:6). “The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper” (Gn. 39:23). And finally in tomorrow’s reading, Pharaoh sets Joseph up over all the land of Egypt (Gn. 41:41).
Joseph could be trusted. Joseph was diligent and faithful. Joseph was an effective manager. But do not think that this is the sum total of his experience. Joseph was also a slave. Joseph was a prisoner. Joseph was misunderstood and misjudged. Joseph was separated from his family. There can be times while reading Scripture that one fails to ‘see the whole picture.’ It is easy to idealize the story and fail to grasp the struggle behind the success. One can be tempted to think, “Joseph was winsome and loved by his father. He was handsome with great ability which brought him success and did not face the struggles that I do.” In today’s reading, one does not see Joseph’s tears, his anguish and the hurt he must have felt.
You and I have the same Spirit-empowered ability and same directive to be faithful in the midst of hardship. We must be trustworthy even while dealing with our own difficulties. Do those you report to find you faithful…even when besieged by crises? In the midst of struggling with your own trials, are you dependable and honest in all things? The primary motivator for Joseph’s character was knowing it was the Lord Who He ultimately served (Gn. 39:9) and the Lord Who empowered and directed him (Gn. 41:16). We, too, are to serve our boss and cultivate faithfulness understanding it is the Lord we are serving (Col. 3:23-24). Do you function that way?
In what is a fairly familiar part of the Old Testament, today one reads of Joseph, having been sold into slavery in Egypt, now being tested by Potiphar’s wife. What one dare not miss in reading this text are the references to Joseph’s character. Twice in today’s text and once tomorrow, one finds the Scriptures stating that Joseph could be trusted by his ‘employers’ to faithfully discharge the duties assigned him. “So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything…” (Gn. 39:6). “The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper” (Gn. 39:23). And finally in tomorrow’s reading, Pharaoh sets Joseph up over all the land of Egypt (Gn. 41:41).
Joseph could be trusted. Joseph was diligent and faithful. Joseph was an effective manager. But do not think that this is the sum total of his experience. Joseph was also a slave. Joseph was a prisoner. Joseph was misunderstood and misjudged. Joseph was separated from his family. There can be times while reading Scripture that one fails to ‘see the whole picture.’ It is easy to idealize the story and fail to grasp the struggle behind the success. One can be tempted to think, “Joseph was winsome and loved by his father. He was handsome with great ability which brought him success and did not face the struggles that I do.” In today’s reading, one does not see Joseph’s tears, his anguish and the hurt he must have felt.
You and I have the same Spirit-empowered ability and same directive to be faithful in the midst of hardship. We must be trustworthy even while dealing with our own difficulties. Do those you report to find you faithful…even when besieged by crises? In the midst of struggling with your own trials, are you dependable and honest in all things? The primary motivator for Joseph’s character was knowing it was the Lord Who He ultimately served (Gn. 39:9) and the Lord Who empowered and directed him (Gn. 41:16). We, too, are to serve our boss and cultivate faithfulness understanding it is the Lord we are serving (Col. 3:23-24). Do you function that way?
by Curt Krohn, Senior Pastor
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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