God: A Present Help pt.5 Prison Happens | Roche Coleman Ph.D.

Text: Genesis 39:21-40:23
Title: God A Present Help:
Prison Happens Pt 5

Vital Verse: 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. Genesis 39:23

Nugget to Nibble: A third scene continues the same themes: bondage, faithfulness, prosperity, and God's presence. God's presence in the pit and at Potiphar's house shifts to the confines of an Egyptian jail. Although it appears Joseph has reached a new height of success as master of Potiphar's home, life gets worse. He lands in a jail cell lower than his previous state. Nevertheless, the patriarch "prospers" (Genesis 39:22-23). The attitude of faithfulness does not diminish with his status. The same verbs and forms appear in the prison setting that were used in the narrative describing Potiphar's house:
           -the verb matzliach translates as "prosper, successful, and powerful" in reference to the various tasks in different areas of life (Luc 1997:801).
Adversity does not prevent Joseph from successfully achieving that which he envisioned. Equally, other people and nations receive blessings again in fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Genesis 12:3).
           And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed."
The word providence does not appear in the Bible. Yet, the doctrine of the providence of God remains a consistent theme throughout scripture. The divine plans continue despite the array of tragic events within the creation. Nothing will derail the perfect resolve of God to bring humanity and the events of the world to a victorious conclusion.
In essence, the word providence designates that humanity and the world's affairs operate by the rule of God. Chance or fate emerges from the mind of sinful humanity seeking solutions to life's events independent of God. However, the Bible teaches God ordain events to accomplish His purpose. Providence explains the activity in the life of Joseph. Every step serves as a movement toward the deliverance of the covenant people who reveal the true God of the universe to the Egyptians.  

Gems from Joseph:
1. Remain faithful to God regardless of the circumstances.
2. Stop blaming others. Attempt to prosper in the location God planted you.
3. Using balance, help those around you prosper. See Jeremiah 29:7, 11.

Genesis 39:21-40:23
Outline of text:
1. The prosperity in prison. Gen 39:21-23

Eyes on Joseph
1)Jacob looked at Joseph with love.
2) The brothers look at Joseph with hate.
3) Potiphar for look at Joseph with God's blessings.
4) Potiphar, for his wife, looked at Joseph with lust.
5) Egyptian jailer look at Joseph with God's blessings.
6) God looked at Joseph with favor, grace, and mercy.

           a. Joseph's prosperity.

           b. Egyptian jailer blessed. Genesis 39:22-23

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

Fact #1 
Biblical prosperity is not predicated on your position or the place. 
 

2. The providence Immanuel. Gen 40:1-15

           a. Providence: In essence, the word providence designates that humanity and the affairs of the world operate by the rule of God. Chance or fate emerges from the mind of sinful humanity seeking solutions to life's events independent of God.

           b. Immanuel- "with us is God" (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8; Matthew 1:23).
           

3. The pause before the promotion. Gen 40.16-23

           a. heads lifted
                       1) chief cupbearer- head restored
           
                       2) chief baker- head removed
           
           b. head lowered

Impact Fact: 
The promotion of the righteous and the wicked person comes from the Lord.