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Prison Experiences
No.2.
Joseph and his brethren.
pp. 95 - 99
"So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God ..." (Gen. 45: 8).
Israel sent Joseph to his brethren to find out if all was well with them, but as he
approached them they plotted against him, and discussed how they might get rid of him.
Reuben spoke up for Joseph and suggested that instead of killing him, they should put
him in a pit close by, thinking that later he could rescue Joseph. But Reuben's plan was
thwarted as the brothers soon saw some traders coming. Judah proposed selling Joseph
for twenty pieces of silver, and the deal was made. Thus Joseph was on his way to
Egypt.
This reminds us that when Jesus was a child, He took refuge in Egypt when His life
was in danger. Also Christ was sold for thirty pieces of silver. Charles Welch points out
that Judah, when translated into Greek, becomes Judas, and so there is another similarity
in the story.
Joseph was sold to Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh and a captain of the guard.
We read that the Lord was with Joseph (Gen. 39: 2) and he was a prosperous man. An
old translation of this reference reads "The Lord was with Joseph and he was a luckie
fellow". He became an overseer in the house of Potiphar and was in complete control of
all his possessions, both in the house and outside, in the fields or grounds. But the wife
of Potiphar eyed Joseph and tried to tempt him. Although Joseph showed he did not wish
to comply with the wishes of Potiphar's wife, she continued to try to engage him and one
day, while trying to entice him, she held on to his garment. Joseph immediately ran away
but the wife held on to his garment. Then she called the servants and said that Joseph had
assaulted her. When Potiphar returned to the house, she again accused Joseph and of
course, Potiphar was very angry. Joseph was sent to prison where the king's prisoners
were bound. But once more we read "The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy"
(Gen. 39: 21). The keeper of the prison viewed Joseph with favour and gave him
authority over the other prisoners and we read:
"The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because
the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper."
But Joseph was being punished for a sin which he did not commit.
One of the malefactors, who was crucified with Christ said:
"Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed
justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man hath done nothing
amiss" (Luke 23: 40, 41).