Joseph Respects Potiphar
Our subject for the e-bulletin
today on the characteristic of respect for others is found in Genesis 39:1-9. It
is in the story of Joseph’s slavery in Egypt. Joseph was the second youngest of
Jacob’s sons. He was a young man perhaps in his late teens or early twenties
when he was sold into Egypt. He became a slave in the household of Potiphar, the
captain of Pharoah’s guards. The scripture says that the Lord was with Joseph
and “made all that he did to prosper.” Given the confidence which Joseph gained
from Potiphar, it is probable that Joseph served Potiphar for several years in
his rise to be “overseer of his house and all that he had he put into his hand.”
Of course, you probably already know the rest of the story. Through the
rejection of the attempted seductions by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph incurred her
wrath. She lied and claimed that Joseph made advances toward her. Because of her
lies, Joseph was imprisoned. Here are some lessons about respect for others from
this Biblical account.
- Even as a slave, Joseph
worked as hard as he could for Potiphar. He did not slack in his work. He
did not deal dishonestly. He did not bad mouth the man who bought and
enslaved him. He did not just work hard in the presence of Potiphar, but
also in his absence. Col. 3:22-23 teaches us that we should have the same
respect for those for whom we work. We should work “heartily” with
“singleness of heart” “as to the Lord.”
- Joseph could be trusted.
When we respect others, they have no need to fear what we may do with their
possessions or business that are left in our hands. A person with respect
will treat the things of others with the same or greater care than their own
things. It is, at least in part, what Paul exhorts us when he says “Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”
(Phil. 2:4).
- One who respects others
denies himself when his/her actions would be hurtful or betraying to others.
- Joseph understood that his
respect for his owner was directly connected to his respect for the Father
(v. 9).
Mike Glenn
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