Origins: The Dreamers (Genesis 33–41)Sample

Gaining Favor and Living Upright

By Danny Saavedra

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome.” Genesis 39:1–6 (NIV)

During our “Revealer of Mysteries” series, I noted similarities between Joseph and Daniel, two men who rose to prominence in their respective kingdoms despite being slaves. For Daniel, first it was the chief of the eunuchs, then it was King Nebuchadnezzar, and then King Darius. He rose to high positions, was given great authority, and was entrusted with much. Why? Because he honored God with his life and lived without compromise. His integrity, hard work, and trustworthiness made him reliable and respected, and we’re told God brought him favor and affection from those in authority over him. And the same thing happened with Joseph! 

You see, Joseph, like Daniel and Jesus (Luke 2:52), found himself in the good graces and high favor of his master Potiphar and was placed in charge of his entire household. Joseph honored God with his life and work as he lived out Titus 2:9–10 (NIV), which says, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” 

Now, I want you to see the key found in both Daniel and Joseph’s lives. Daniel 1:17 tells us that God gave Daniel and his three friends skill, wisdom, and favor, and here in Genesis 39, we’re told that “the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered” (verse 2), “the Lord gave him success” (verse 3), “the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph” and “the blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had” (verse 5). 

This is so important, friends! If you live a life that honors God—reflecting His love, grace, and truth—God will take care of the rest! Not only will there be spiritual benefits and blessings for you, but you’ll also be a faithful witness and effective ambassador of Jesus Christ to the watching world—making the gospel attractive. That’s what happened with Potiphar! We’re told he, an Egyptian who wasn’t a believer, could literally see the Lord was with Joseph. 

This means that God can use your life to impact nonbelievers as you demonstrate integrity, respect, compassion, and hard work—shining the light of Jesus. Your life can be the catalyst God uses to bring the light of Jesus into the lives of the people around you, to make the love of God through Christ visible to them, to make the power of the gospel clearly known to them. The earthly benefits and blessings that come from your Christ-like living will just be like icing on a cake! 

DIG: Why do you think Daniel and Joseph were able to have such a deep impact on the people around them?

DISCOVER: How have you seen this to be true in your life?  

DO: Today, commit to living like Joseph and Daniel by honoring the Lord Jesus without compromise, and let Him work in the hearts of the people you encounter!