(Genesis) Genesis 39:21-23 — J. Vernon McGee

God's Presence With Joseph in Prison

Now again, in verse 21, we read, "...but the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison, and whatsoever they did there he was the doer of it.

The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because the Lord was with him, and that which he did the Lord made it to prosper.". Now, the hand of God is certainly obvious and seen in this man's life, but over against it is the terrible things that happened to him.

Joseph's Favor Came From God's Presence

Now he finds himself in prison. How discouraging that must be or would have been to the average person. But the interesting thing is, we are told the Lord's with Joseph. He didn't appear to him as he did to the other patriarchs, and he showed him mercy, and lo and behold, Joseph found favor here with the keeper of the prison.

Now I think he was naturally a very attractive young man, and a man of tremendous ability. I think that is true beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was a man of remarkable ability. But the important thing is, all of that would have come to note had not God been with him.

God Leads Joseph Toward His Purpose

And God was with this young man, and God was leading him. All of this is moving to the accomplishment of a purpose in this young man's life. Now, Joseph recognized that, and when he recognized that, that gave him a buoyancy, an attitude of optimism.

Living Above Difficult Circumstances

The circumstances did not get him down. He lived on top of his circumstances. I have a preacher friend of mine, and he tells me that my problem is the circumstances are all on top of me, and I never live on top of my circumstances.

Well, I'm of the opinion that that's true to a certain extent. I think many of us may be that way. But certainly this boy here is one that's living on top of his circumstances, and the Lord is with him, and he recognizes that the hand of God's in his life, and he never was discouraged.

Discouragement, Disappointment, and the Chastening of the Lord

They say, you know, that discouragement is one of the finest weapons that Satan has, discouragement and disappointment. But this young man seems to have surmounted all of his circumstances, and we find here the chastening of the Lord.

It's grievous at the time, but it's going to yield a peaceable fruit of righteousness in the life of this boy. Now, the thing is that the story of Joseph reveals that every man does not have his prize.

Joseph, Job, and Paul: Men Satan Could Not Buy

Satan says he does. But there have been several men that Satan couldn't buy. Joseph was one. Job was another. Paul the Apostle was another. These were men, and there have been many of them, that Satan can't buy.

He certainly despises mankind. And poor old Potiphar here, he's the one to be pitied, and not Joseph, actually. And it's a good thing Joseph is out of that home, but God's moving in his life. Was it the will of God for Joseph to be put in prison?

Well, it's almost essential for him to be there.