January 18 - Genesis 39-42:5

Joseph's story is one of such amazing comfort and a remarkable tale of the mysterious work of God's will.  Joseph must have felt so successful ad confident at Potiphar's home.  He must have felt his life was on the right track again.  Then it's all gone again because of an unjust accusation...another unjust accusation.  How does Joseph deal with the blatant unfairness?  First his brothers sell him into slavery out of jealousy.  Then Potiphar's wife unjustly accuses him of attempting to molest her.  How did Joseph face these false accusations that twice took him away from his success and privilege?  Did he give up?  Did he think God had abandoned him?  Even when he interprets the dreams and tells the cupbearer not to forget him, it takes two years for the cupbearer to remember.  What thoughts occupied Joseph's mind during that two years?  Injustice and unfairness are hard for us to deal with.  Being punished for something that isn't our fault is difficult for us to stomach.  We cry out to God and blame Him when we are visited by unfair circumstances.  Yet, this was the road of Joseph and Job and Jesus.

Joseph appears to be learning some humility.  The proud son is now quick to let his fellow prisoners and Pharaoh know that God interprets the dreams.  "'I cannot do it,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.'"