mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 39.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xl" n="xl" next="Gen.xli" prev="Gen.xxxix" progress="25.62%" title="Chapter XXXIX">
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<h2 id="Gen.xl-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xl-p0.2">CHAP. XXXIX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xl-p1">At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph.
We have him here, I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house
(<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.1" parsed="|Gen|39|1|0|0" passage="Ge 39:1">ver. 1</scripRef>), and yet there
greatly honoured and favoured, 1. By the providence of God, which
made him, in effect, a master, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.2-Gen.39.6" parsed="|Gen|39|2|39|6" passage="Ge 39:2-6">ver.
2-6</scripRef>. 2. By the grace of God, which made him more than a
conqueror over a strong temptation to uncleanness, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.7-Gen.39.12" parsed="|Gen|39|7|39|12" passage="Ge 39:7-12">ver. 7-12</scripRef>. II. We have him here a
sufferer, falsely accused (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.13-Gen.39.18" parsed="|Gen|39|13|39|18" passage="Ge 39:13-18">ver.
13-18</scripRef>), imprisoned (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.19-Gen.39.20" parsed="|Gen|39|19|39|20" passage="Ge 39:19,20">ver.
19, 20</scripRef>), and yet his imprisonment made both honourable
and comfortable by the tokens of God's special presence with him,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.21-Gen.39.23" parsed="|Gen|39|21|39|23" passage="Ge 39:21-23">ver. 21-23</scripRef>. And herein
Joseph was a type of Christ, "who took upon him the form of a
servant," and yet then did that which made it evident that "God was
with him," who was tempted by Satan, but overcame the temptation,
who was falsely accused and bound, and yet had all things committed
to his hand.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xl-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39" parsed="|Gen|39|0|0|0" passage="Ge 39" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xl-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.1-Gen.39.6" parsed="|Gen|39|1|39|6" passage="Ge 39:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.39.1-Gen.39.6">
<h4 id="Gen.xl-p1.9">The History of Joseph. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1721.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xl-p2">1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian,
bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him
down thither.   2 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p2.1">Lord</span>
was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the
house of his master the Egyptian.   3 And his master saw that
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p2.2">Lord</span> <i>was</i> with him, and
that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p2.3">Lord</span> made all that he did
to prosper in his hand.   4 And Joseph found grace in his
sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house,
and all <i>that</i> he had he put into his hand.   5 And it
came to pass from the time <i>that</i> he had made him overseer in
his house, and over all that he had, that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p2.4">Lord</span> blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's
sake; and the blessing of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p2.5">Lord</span>
was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.   6
And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought
he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was <i>a</i>
goodly <i>person,</i> and well favoured.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p3">Here is, I. Joseph bought (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.1" parsed="|Gen|39|1|0|0" passage="Ge 39:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), and he that bought him,
whatever he gave for him, had a good bargain of him; it was better
than the merchandise of silver. The Jews have a proverb, "If the
world did but know the worth of good men, they would hedge them
about with pearls." He was sold to an officer of Pharaoh, with whom
he might get acquainted with public persons and public business,
and so be fitted for the preferment for which he was designed.
Note, 1. What

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God intends men for he will be
sure, some way or other, to qualify them for. 2. Providence is to
be acknowledged in the disposal even of poor servants and in their
settlements, and therein may perhaps be working towards something
great and important.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p4">II. Joseph blessed, wonderfully blessed,
even in the house of his servitude.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p5">1. God prospered him, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.2-Gen.39.3" parsed="|Gen|39|2|39|3" passage="Ge 39:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>. Perhaps the affairs of
Potiphar's family had remarkably gone backward before; but, upon
Joseph's coming into it, a discernible turn was given to them, and
the face and posture of them altered on a sudden. Though, at first,
we may suppose that his hand was put to the meanest services, even
in those appeared his ingenuity and industry; a particular blessing
of Heaven attended him, which, as he rose in his employment, became
more and more discernible. Note, (1.) Those that have wisdom and
grace have that which cannot be taken away from them, whatever else
they are robbed of. Joseph's brethren had stripped him of his coat
of many colours, but they could not strip him of his virtue and
prudence. (2.) Those that can separate us from all our friends, yet
cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph
had none of all his relations with him, he had his God with him,
even in the house of the Egyptian. Joseph was separated from his
brethren, but not from his God; banished from his father's house,
but <i>the Lord was with him,</i> and this comforted him. (3.) It
is God's presence with us that makes all we do prosperous. Those
that would prosper must therefore make God their friend; and those
that do prosper must therefore give God the praise.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p6">2. His master preferred him, by degrees
made him steward of his household, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.4" parsed="|Gen|39|4|0|0" passage="Ge 39:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Note, (1.) Industry and honesty
are the surest and safest way both of rising and thriving: <i>Seest
thou a man</i> prudent, and faithful, and <i>diligent in his
business? He shall stand before kings</i> at length, and not always
<i>before mean men.</i> (2.) It is the wisdom of those that are in
any sort of authority to countenance and employ those with whom it
appears that the presence of God is, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.101.6" parsed="|Ps|101|6|0|0" passage="Ps 101:6">Ps. ci. 6</scripRef>. Potiphar knew what he did when he
put all into the hands of Joseph; for he knew it would prosper
better there than in his own hand. (3.) He that is faithful in a
few things stand fair for being made ruler over many things,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.21" parsed="|Matt|25|21|0|0" passage="Mt 25:21">Matt. xxv. 21</scripRef>. Christ goes
by this rule with his servants. (4.) It is a great ease to a master
to have those employed under him that are trusty. Potiphar was so
well satisfied with Joseph's conduct that <i>he knew not aught he
had, save the bread which he did eat,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.6" parsed="|Gen|39|6|0|0" passage="Ge 39:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. The servant had all the care and
trouble of the estate; the master had only the enjoyment of it: an
example not to be imitated by any master, unless he could be sure
that he had one in all respects like Joseph for a servant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p7">3. God favoured his master for his sake
(<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.5" parsed="|Gen|39|5|0|0" passage="Ge 39:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>He blessed
the Egyptian's house,</i> though he was an Egyptian, a stranger to
the true God, <i>for Joseph's sake;</i> and he himself, like Laban,
soon learned it by experience, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.30.27" parsed="|Gen|30|27|0|0" passage="Ge 30:27"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 27</scripRef>. Note, (1.) Good men are
the blessings of the places where they live; even good servants may
be so, though mean, and lightly esteemed. (2.) The prosperity of
the wicked is, one way or other, for the sake of the godly. Here
was a wicked family blessed for the sake of one good servant in
it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xl-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.7-Gen.39.12" parsed="|Gen|39|7|39|12" passage="Ge 39:7-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.39.7-Gen.39.12">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xl-p8">7 And it came to pass after these things, that
his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with
me.   8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife,
Behold, my master wotteth not what <i>is</i> with me in the house,
and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;   9
<i>There is</i> none greater in this house than I; neither hath he
kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou <i>art</i> his
wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
  10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day,
that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, <i>or</i> to be with
her.   11 And it came to pass about this time, that
<i>Joseph</i> went into the house to do his business; and <i>there
was</i> none of the men of the house there within.   12 And
she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his
garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p9">Here is, I. A most shameful instance of
impudence and immodesty in Joseph's mistress, the shame and scandal
of her sex, perfectly lost to all virtue and honour, and not to be
mentioned, nor thought of, without the utmost indignation. It was
well that she was an Egyptian; for we must have shared in the
confusion if such folly had been found in Israel. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p10">I. Her sin began in the eye: She <i>cast
her eyes upon Joseph</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.7" parsed="|Gen|39|7|0|0" passage="Ge 39:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), who <i>was a goodly person, and well-favoured,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.6" parsed="|Gen|39|6|0|0" passage="Ge 39:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Note, (1.)
Remarkable beauty, either of men or women, often proves a dangerous
snare both to themselves and others, which forbids pride in it and
commands constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends
it; favour is deceitful—deceiving. (2.) We have great need to make
a covenant with our eyes (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.31.1" parsed="|Job|31|1|0|0" passage="Job 31:1">Job xxxi.
1</scripRef>), lest the eye infect the heart. Joseph's mistress had
a husband that ought to have been to her for a covering of the eyes
from all others, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.20.16" parsed="|Gen|20|16|0|0" passage="Ge 20:16"><i>ch.</i> xx.
16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p11">2. She was daring and shameless in the

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sin. With an impudent face, and a harlot's
forehead, she said, <i>Lie with me,</i> having already, by her
wanton looks and unchaste desires, committed adultery with him in
her heart. Note, Where the unclean spirit gets possession and
dominion in a soul, it is as with the possessed of the devils
(<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.7.27 Bible:Luke.7.29" parsed="|Luke|7|27|0|0;|Luke|7|29|0|0" passage="Lu 7:27,29">Luke viii. 27, 29</scripRef>), the
clothes of modesty are thrown off and the bands and fetters of
shame are broken in pieces. When lust has got head, it will stick
at nothing, blush at nothing; decency, and reputation, and
conscience, are all sacrificed to that Baal-peor. 3. She was urgent
and violent in the temptation. Often she had been denied with the
strongest reasons, and yet as often renewed her vile solicitations.
She <i>spoke to him day by day,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.10" parsed="|Gen|39|10|0|0" passage="Ge 39:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Now this was, (1.) Great
wickedness in her, and showed her heart fully set to do evil. (2.)
A great temptation to Joseph. The hand of Satan, no doubt, was in
it, who, when he found he could not overcome him with troubles and
the frowns of the world (for in them he still held fast his
integrity), assaulted him with soft and charming pleasures, which
have ruined more than the former, and have slain their
ten-thousands.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p12">II. Here is a most illustrious instance of
virtue and resolved chastity in Joseph, who, by the grace of God,
was enabled to resist and overcome this temptation; and, all things
considered, his escape was, for aught I know, as great an instance
of the divine power as the deliverance of the three children out of
the fiery furnace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p13">1. The temptation he was assaulted with was
very strong. Never was a more violent onset made upon the fort of
chastity than this recorded here. (1.) The sin he was tempted to
was uncleanness, which considering his youth, his beauty, his
single state, and his plentiful living at the table of a ruler, was
a sin which, one would think, might most easily beset him and
betray him. (2.) The tempter was his mistress, a person of quality,
whom it was his place to obey and his interest to oblige, whose
favour would contribute more than any thing to his preferment, and
by whose means he might arrive at the highest honours of the court.
On the other hand, it was at his utmost peril if he slighted her,
and made her his enemy. (3.) Opportunity makes a thief, makes an
adulterer, and that favoured the temptation. The tempter was in the
house with him; his business led him to be, without any suspicion,
where she was; none of the family were within (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.11" parsed="|Gen|39|11|0|0" passage="Ge 39:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); there appeared no danger of
its being ever discovered, or, if it should be suspected, his
mistress would protect him. (4.) To all this was added importunity,
frequent constant importunity, to such a degree that, at last, she
laid violent hands on him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p14">2. His resistance of the temptation was
very brave, and the victory truly honourable. The almighty grace of
God enabled him to overcome this assault of the enemy,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p15">(1.) By strength of reason; and wherever
right reason may be heard, religion no doubt will carry the day. He
argues from the respect he owed both to God and his master,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.8-Gen.39.9" parsed="|Gen|39|8|39|9" passage="Ge 39:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. [1.] He
would not wrong his master, nor do such an irreparable injury to
his honour. He considers, and urges, how kind his master had been
to him, what a confidence he had reposed in him, in how many
instances he had befriended him, for which he abhorred the thought
of making such an ungrateful return. Note, We are bound in honour,
as well as justice and gratitude, not in any thing to injure those
that have a good opinion of us and place a trust in us, how
secretly soever it may be done. See how he argues (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.9" parsed="|Gen|39|9|0|0" passage="Ge 39:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): "<i>There is none
greater in this house than I,</i> therefore I will not do it."
Note, Those that are great, instead of being proud of their
greatness, should use it as an argument against sin. "Is none
greater than I? Then I will scorn to do a wicked thing; it is below
me to serve a base lust; I will not disparage myself so much." [2.]
He would not offend his God. This is the chief argument with which
he strengthens his aversion to the sin. <i>How can I do this?</i>
not only, How shall I? or, How dare I? but, <i>How can I? Id
possumus, quod jure possumus—We can do that which we can do
lawfully.</i> It is good to shut out sin with the strongest bar,
even that of an impossibility. He that is born of God cannot sin,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.9" parsed="|1John|3|9|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:9">1 John iii. 9</scripRef>. Three
arguments Joseph urges upon himself. <i>First,</i> He considers who
he was that was tempted. "<i>I;</i> others may perhaps take their
liberty, but <i>I</i> cannot. <i>I</i> that am an Israelite in
covenant with God, that profess religion, and relation to him: it
is next to impossible for me to do so." <i>Secondly,</i> What the
sin was to which he was tempted: <i>This great wickedness.</i>
Others might look upon it as a small matter, a peccadillo, a trick
of youth; but Joseph had another idea of it. In general, when at
any time we are tempted to sin, we must consider the great
wickedness there is in it, let sin appear sin (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.7.13" parsed="|Rom|7|13|0|0" passage="Ro 7:13">Rom. vii. 13</scripRef>), call it by its own name, and
never go about to lessen it. Particularly let the sin of
uncleanness always be looked upon as great wickedness, as an
exceedingly sinful sin, that wars against the soul as much as any
other. <i>Thirdly,</i> Against whom he was tempted to
sin—<i>against God;</i> not only, "How shall I do it, and sin
against my master, my mistress, myself, my own body and soul; but
against God?" Note, Gracious souls look upon this as the worst
thing in sin that it is against God, against his nature and his
dominion, against his love and his design. Those that love God do
for this reason hate sin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p16">(2.) By stedfastness of resolution. The
grace of God enabled him to overcome the temptation by avoiding the
tempter. [1.] He <i>hearkened not to her,</i> so much as to be with
her, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.10" parsed="|Gen|39|10|0|0" passage="Ge 39:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Note,
Those that would be

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kept from harm must keep
themselves out of harm's way. <i>Avoid it, pass not by it.</i> Nay,
[2.] When she laid hold of him, he <i>left his garment in her
hand,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.12" parsed="|Gen|39|12|0|0" passage="Ge 39:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. He
would not stay so much as to parley with the temptation, but flew
out from it with the utmost abhorrence; he left his garment, as one
escaping for his life. Note, It is better to lose a good coat than
a good conscience.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xl-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.13-Gen.39.18" parsed="|Gen|39|13|39|18" passage="Ge 39:13-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.39.13-Gen.39.18">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xl-p17">13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had
left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,   14 That
she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying,
See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in
unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:   15
And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and
cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
  16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came
home.   17 And she spake unto him according to these words,
saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came
in unto me to mock me:   18 And it came to pass, as I lifted
up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled
out.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p18">Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to
make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent him as one; so to
be revenged on him for his virtue. Now was her love turned into the
utmost rage and malice, and she pretends she cannot endure the
sight of him whom awhile ago she could not endure out of her sight.
Chaste and holy love will continue, though slighted; but sinful
love, like Amnon's to Tamar, is easily changed into sinful hatred.
1. She accused him to his fellow servants (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.13-Gen.39.15" parsed="|Gen|39|13|39|15" passage="Ge 39:13-15"><i>v.</i> 13-15</scripRef>) and gave him a bad name
among them. Probably they envied him his interest in their master's
favour, and his authority in the house; and perhaps found
themselves aggrieved sometimes by his fidelity, which prevented
their purloining; and therefore they were glad to hear any thing
that might tend to his disgrace, and, if there was room for it,
incensed their mistress yet more against him. Observe, When she
speaks of her husband, she does not call him her husband, or her
lord, but only <i>he;</i> for she had forgotten the covenant of her
God, that was between them. Thus the adulteress (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.7.19" parsed="|Prov|7|19|0|0" passage="Pr 7:19">Prov. vii. 19</scripRef>) calls her husband <i>the good
man.</i> Note, Innocence itself cannot secure a man's reputation.
Not every one that keeps a good conscience can keep a good name. 2.
She accused him to his master, who had power in his hand to punish
him, which his fellow servants had not, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.17-Gen.39.18" parsed="|Gen|39|17|39|18" passage="Ge 39:17,18"><i>v.</i> 17, 18</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) What an
improbable story she tells, producing his garment as an evidence
that he had offered violence to her, which was a plain indication
that she had offered violence to him. Note, Those that have broken
the bonds of modesty will never be held by the bonds of truth. No
marvel that she who had impudence enough to say, <i>Lie with
me,</i> had front enough to say, "He would have lien with me." Had
the lie been told to conceal her own crime it would have been bad
enough, yet, in some degree, excusable; but it was told to be
revenged upon his virtue, a most malicious lie. And yet, (2.) She
manages it so as to incense her husband against him, reflecting
upon him for bringing this Hebrew servant among them, perhaps at
first against her mind, because he was a Hebrew. Note, It is no new
thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst of
crimes by those who themselves are the worst of criminals. As this
matter was represented, one would have thought chaste Joseph a very
bad man and his wanton mistress a virtuous woman; it is well that
there is a day of discovery coming, in which all shall appear in
their true characters. This was not the first time that Joseph's
coat was made use of as a false witness concerning him; his father
had been deceived by it before, now his master.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xl-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.19-Gen.39.23" parsed="|Gen|39|19|39|23" passage="Ge 39:19-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.39.19-Gen.39.23">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xl-p19">19 And it came to pass, when his master heard
the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this
manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.   20
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place
where the king's prisoners <i>were</i> bound: and he was there in
the prison.   21 But the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p19.1">Lord</span>
was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the
sight of the keeper of the prison.   22 And the keeper of the
prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that
<i>were</i> in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was
the doer <i>of it.</i>   23 The keeper of the prison looked
not to any thing <i>that was</i> under his hand; because the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p19.2">Lord</span> was with him, and <i>that</i> which
he did, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xl-p19.3">Lord</span> made <i>it</i> to
prosper.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xl-p20">Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master.
He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his
defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his
mistress, or his master would not hear it, or would not believe it,
and there is no remedy, he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.19-Gen.39.20" parsed="|Gen|39|19|39|20" passage="Ge 39:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19, 20</scripRef>. God
restrained his wrath, else he had put him to death; and that wrath
which

<pb id="Gen.xl-Page_224" n="224"/>

imprisoned him God made to turn to his
praise, in order to which Providence so disposed that he should be
shut up among the king's prisoners, the state-prisoners. Potiphar,
it is likely, chose that prison because it was the worst; for there
the iron entered into the soul (<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.18" parsed="|Ps|105|18|0|0" passage="Ps 105:18">Ps.
cv. 18</scripRef>), but God designed to pave the way to his
enlargement. He was committed to the king's prison, that he might
thence be preferred to the king's person. Note, Many an action of
false imprisonment will, in the great day, be found to lie against
the enemies and persecutors of God's people. Our Lord Jesus, like
Joseph here, was bound, and numbered with the transgressors. 2.
Joseph owned and righted by his God, who is, and will be, the just
and powerful patron of oppressed innocence. Joseph was at a
distance from all his friends and relations, had not them with him
to comfort him, or to minister to him, or to mediate for him; but
<i>the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.21" parsed="|Gen|39|21|0|0" passage="Ge 39:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Note, (1.) God despises
not his prisoners, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.69.33" parsed="|Ps|69|33|0|0" passage="Ps 69:33">Ps. lxix.
33</scripRef>. No gates nor bars can shut out his gracious presence
from his people; for he has promised that he will never leave them.
(2.) Those that have a good conscience in a prison have a good God
there. Integrity and uprightness qualify us for the divine favour,
wherever we are. Joseph is not long a prisoner before he becomes a
little ruler even in the prison, which is to be attributed, under
God, [1.] To the keeper's favour. God <i>gave him favour in the
sight of the keeper of the prison.</i> Note, God can raise up
friends for his people even where they little expect to find them,
and can <i>make them to be pitied</i> even of those that carry them
captive, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.46" parsed="|Ps|106|46|0|0" passage="Ps 106:46">Ps. cvi. 46</scripRef>. [2.]
To Joseph's fitness for business. The keeper saw that God was with
him, and that every thing prospered under his hand; and therefore
entrusted him with the management of the affairs of the prison,
<scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.39.22-Gen.39.23" parsed="|Gen|39|22|39|23" passage="Ge 39:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>. Note,
Wisdom and virtue will shine in the narrowest spheres. A good man
will do good wherever he is, and will be a blessing even in bonds
and banishment; for the Spirit of the Lord is not bound nor
banished, witness St. Paul, <scripRef id="Gen.xl-p20.7" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.12-Phil.1.13" parsed="|Phil|1|12|1|13" passage="Php 1:12,13">Phil.
i. 12, 13</scripRef>.</p>
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