Sunday, February 9, 2025
Theme: "Joseph's youth and his faithfulness to God."
Text: Genesis 39:1-9
1. Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2. The LORD was with him, and prosperity followed him; and he dwelt in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3. His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made everything he did prosper in his hand. 4. Joseph found favor in the eyes of his master, and he employed him in his service, and made him overseer of his household, and entrusted to him all that he had. 5. And it came to pass, when Potiphar had made him ruler over his house and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake: and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had, both in the house and in the field. 6. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand: and he had no care with him, save that he might eat his food. Now Joseph was well-built, and well-looking. 7. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, Lie with me. 8. And he refused, and said to his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth nothing with me in the house: and all that he hath he hath given into my hand. 9. And he is not greater than I in this house, neither hath he kept back from me any thing, save thee, because thou art his wife. How could I do such a great evil and sin against God?
Let us remember:
God can bless us by passing through Ishmaelites, people with whom we have a common ancestor, but who are opposed to our way of life. Joseph was sold twice. The first time, to the Ishmaelites and the second time to Potiphar. Selling and reselling a person is to objectify them, to devalue them. However, each time Joseph was sold, he took on more value and grace before God; because the Lord was with him, the Lord made everything he undertook prosper in his hands. Joseph was not an ordinary slave but he was precious in the eyes of God and his master. Despite his youth, Joseph was faithful to God and his master. He was the repository of a unique and exceptional grace because everything he touched took on value and turned into gold. The only effort that Joseph made was to be faithful to God and his master. He preserved his blessing and did not live in sin. Knowing that he was a vessel of honor in the service of his master, he kept himself pure. The nobility and beauty of his master's wife did not shake him. On the contrary, he reasoned with her by showing her that he was not capable of defiling himself with her. If it were us in Joseph's place, God alone knows, we would be caught in the trap set by Satan to snatch this blessing. Youth is not a valid reason that would push us to vagrancy. Discernment must always be lit in us, never extinguished. When God grants us the grace to manage a business, a church, a family or state property, we rather take advantage of stealing instead of showing the fidelity that had prevailed in our choice. And nothing prospers in our defiled hands. "Young man, rejoice in your youth, let your heart be glad in the days of your youth, walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." Ecclesiastes 12:1. Excellent Sunday. Amen
Alain Louz.-
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