Genesis 39: “The Lord Was with Joseph”
1. Providence in Captivity
“Now Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.” (Gen 39:1)
From the pit to the palace — but not yet as ruler. God’s plan unfolds quietly through apparent misfortune.
What looks like defeat becomes the school of faith.
St Bede the Venerable remarks:
“The Lord led Joseph where He would bless him, by paths that seemed contrary; for grace often begins with humiliation.”
(Commentary on Genesis, 39)
Egypt — the land of idols — becomes the field where virtue blooms.
2. The Lord’s Presence
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” (v. 2)
These words are the refrain of Joseph’s life: “The Lord was with him.”
Grace does not remove suffering but transforms it.
Joseph’s success is not worldly luck but divine companionship.
St Augustine comments:
“Where God is present, slavery itself is freedom; for the soul that serves righteousness is never bound.”
(City of God XVI.48)
Even in bondage, Joseph carries the liberty of the saints.
3. Potiphar’s Favour
“His master saw that the Lord was with him… so Joseph found favour in his sight and made him overseer of his house.” (vv. 3–4)
Pagans recognise holiness before they understand it.
Potiphar senses something supernatural in Joseph’s integrity.
St Ambrose writes:
“The just man carries a fragrance of grace; even the unbeliever breathes it and is refreshed.”
(On Joseph the Patriarch 7)
Joseph’s fidelity sanctifies his surroundings — a quiet apostolate of virtue.
4. Blessing Overflowing
“From the time he made him overseer… the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had.” (v. 5)
Through one faithful servant, an entire household is blessed.
This is the pattern of salvation: grace radiating outward.
St Bede comments:
“As Adam’s sin cursed the ground, so Joseph’s righteousness blessed it; for in every age the just reverse the curse by obedience.”
(Commentary on Genesis, 39)
The Christian vocation likewise brings blessing to the world through holiness lived in hidden places.
5. Temptation Arises
“Now Joseph was handsome and good-looking. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, ‘Lie with me.’” (vv. 6–7)
Virtue invites trial. Potiphar’s wife represents the allure of sin — wealth, pleasure, secrecy, power.
Joseph faces the very temptation Judah had failed.
St John Chrysostom remarks:
“The devil who could not overcome him by chains attacks him by charm; but the fetters of beauty are heavier than iron.”
(Homilies on Genesis LXV.1)
The test comes not in weakness but in strength — at the height of success.
6. Joseph’s Refusal
“He refused and said… ‘How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’” (v. 9)
Joseph’s answer reveals his heart.
He calls adultery not merely a betrayal of man but of God.
Temptation is conquered by reverence.
St Ambrose writes:
“The fear of God is the guardian of chastity; for he who sees God in secret fears no eye of man.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.6)
He names the act wickedness — no self-deception, no excuse. Clarity of conscience is armour against sin.
7. The Persistence of Temptation
“She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he would not listen to her.” (v. 10)
Temptation rarely ceases after the first refusal; it repeats, wears down, seeks opportunity.
But Joseph resists daily, showing that purity is not a single victory but a constant fidelity.
St Bede:
“Continence is not one act but a state; the just man conquers as often as he is tempted.”
(Commentary on Genesis, 39)
8. The Seizure and Escape
“One day, when he went into the house to do his work… she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me!’ But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.” (vv. 11–12)
The garment again becomes symbol: Joseph loses it to preserve his soul, just as Christ was stripped to redeem ours.
Better to lose honour than innocence.
St Ambrose comments:
“He fled, leaving his cloak; for virtue leaves behind what may be seized, but saves what is divine.”
(On Joseph the Patriarch 8)
Flight from sin is not cowardice but courage guided by wisdom.
9. False Accusation
“She called to the men of her household and said, ‘See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to insult us!’” (vv. 14–15)
Sin, when shamed, becomes slander.
Potiphar’s wife projects her guilt onto the innocent.
The same crowd later cries, “Crucify Him!”
St Augustine observes:
“The wicked accuse the righteous of their own crimes; thus the just bear the reproach of sinners as a crown.”
(City of God XVI.48)
Joseph’s fidelity leads not to reward but to disgrace — the paradox of sanctity.
10. Potiphar’s Anger and Joseph’s Imprisonment
“When his master heard the words… his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison.” (vv. 19–20)
No defence is heard; truth is buried under appearances.
But even in prison, Joseph remains under God’s eye.
“The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.” (v. 21)
These are the chapter’s most beautiful words: God’s love in the dungeon.
The world imprisons the body; grace frees the soul.
St Bede comments:
“The Lord is with him in prison that we may know no place excludes God’s mercy.”
(Commentary on Genesis, 39)
The same love that prospered him in Potiphar’s house now strengthens him in captivity.
11. The Keeper’s Favour
“The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners… because the Lord was with him.” (vv. 22–23)
Joseph’s faith transforms even a prison into a place of service.
Holiness cannot be confined; wherever it is planted, it bears fruit.
St John Chrysostom observes:
“He rules even in chains; for virtue is its own kingdom.”
(Homilies on Genesis LXV.2)
Thus the man the world calls slave becomes ruler in spirit — a prophecy of Christ, King through obedience.
12. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| Joseph’s captivity | God’s providence through humiliation |
| Divine presence | Grace amid adversity |
| Temptation resisted | Holiness proven through trial |
| False accusation | The innocent suffering for righteousness |
| Prison leadership | Faith reigning even in chains |
St Augustine summarises:
“Joseph’s chastity in Egypt is the triumph of grace over nature, the image of the soul faithful to God amid the allure of the world.”
(City of God XVI.48)
13. Moral and Spiritual Application
Recognise God’s presence. Sanctity begins not in escape from hardship but in awareness of grace within it.
Flee sin decisively. When temptation seizes, do not reason — run.
Fear God more than shame. Integrity is worth any earthly loss.
Bear false accusation patiently. Truth will be vindicated in God’s time.
Transform your surroundings. Bring virtue into every place — home, work, or hardship — until even prisons become altars.
14. Christ the True Joseph
Joseph prefigures Christ in purity, patience, and suffering:
| Joseph | Christ |
| Beloved of his father | Beloved Son of the Father |
| Tempted yet sinless | Tempted yet without sin (Heb 4:15) |
| Accused falsely | Condemned unjustly |
| Imprisoned with sinners | Counted among the transgressors |
| Becomes a source of blessing in prison | Brings salvation from the Cross |
| The Lord was with him | The Father was with Him (Jn 8:29) |
St Ambrose concludes:
“As Joseph’s chastity preserved his life, so Christ’s purity redeemed ours; and as the Lord was with Joseph, so the Father is with all who keep their hearts pure.”
(On the Mysteries 17)
15. Closing Prayer
God of purity and providence,
who were with Joseph in temptation and in prison,
be with us in our trials and guard us from sin.
Grant us the courage to flee from evil,
the patience to endure injustice,
and the faith to see Your presence in all things.
Make our hearts pure, that we may carry Your blessing
wherever we are sent.
Through Jesus Christ, the true and faithful Servant,
who reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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