Genesis 39:13-23 – Joseph the Prisoner

Joseph has done the right thing and fled from temptation. But as so often seems to be the case, he only gets more trouble for doing what is right. But in the end things will turn out the best possible way for Joseph. . . even if he may not see it at the time.

Her infatuation turning to anger Potiphar’s wife is quick to accuse Joseph, first to the servants who might have been jealous of Joseph and only too happy to see him brought low, and then to her husband. She is covering up her own wickedness with a lie, and it is a lie with the sole purpose of destroying Joseph.

Potiphar believes his wife, and he has Joseph cast into prison. By the mercy of God, Joseph isn’t put to death. Instead God is going to use this imprisonment to bring Joseph to a position of great power. The Lord is with Joseph even in his imprisonment, fulfiling His promise that He will never leave or forsake His people. God blesses Joseph, even in prison, and the prison warder puts Joseph in charge of the other prisoners. God’s blessing can not be held back by prison walls. But for Joseph it must have seemed a dark time as he thought of where he had come from and the hopelessness of his future. But God is even then working out his perfect plan for Joseph’s good.