I‘ve heard people talk about God’s favor being visible, as in things going well. Joseph’s life contradicts that, and his story disabuses and shows us how we know we are experiencing God’s favor.
Joseph is in prison in Genesis 39 for rejecting Potiphar’s wife. She lied about him. She claimed that Joseph raped her. Before that, things were going well for Joseph. During the better times in Joseph’s life or ours most Christians today say, “God’s favor is on me.” In Joseph’s case, it really was.
In Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered…”. That’s what Scripture teaches in this case, but is that exhaustive teaching of God’s favor? “Prospering?” It seems to be if you ask most modern Christians.
Let‘s dig into what we learn about God’s favor from Joseph’s story. We do see favor and a favorable circumstance in the home of Potiphar. David was head man 😉 in charge. We can celebrate that kind of favor. I would be lying to say it’s not nice when God gives us smooth roads. Sadly, circumstances do change for most of us. Joseph’s circumstances changed. It was not due to bad choices. Joseph held to his integrity. He finds himself in prison.
His experience changes but not God’s favor. Remember Joseph is not reading his story. Joseph is living it. Just like I’m living the death of my son. Just like you’re living the death of a loved one, the loss of employment, the rebellion of a child, the dissolving of a marriage that you wanted to save because you know God hates divorce. I could go on with how good fortune can change on a dime with no negative choice on your part. Like, Joseph you simply ask, ”how could I… sin against God?” You experience horrible life changes and it seems like God’s favor is lost on you, but is it?
While Joseph’s circumstances changed, his faith did not. Joseph did pursue his freedom. He wanted to escape this albatross (Genesis 40) weaved by God for Joseph’s good He had to wait for God to release him. If we were watching and not reading Joseph’s story we would assume he sinned. We’d accuse him of not having faith. We’d accuse God of not showing him favor. Why? Because sadly we see circumstances as God’s work based on our sin or lack of something, and not his work to grow us. Now it can also be a rebellious heart being disciplined but that’s a different devotion.
We would be wrong to think Joseph’s imprisonment wasn’t still God’s favor. Joseph sat right where God wanted him. God’s favor cannot be seen singularly in our circumstances. Right in the passage, while in prison, it says, “the Lord was with him.” Remember he was living this not reading his story. Please close your eyes and put your emotions in his story. You will learn about God’s biblical favor. There are others who help us gain a more exhaustive understanding. Habakkuk shows us. Psalm 73 and the book of Job proves walks it out. Those are the more thorough understanding of how God works in our lives and what God’s favor is and is not.
God’s favor is on those who are upright before him and blameless before men. That was Joseph. He would not give in to a temptation to have sex with a woman who did not belong to him. This was a woman who was not his wife. He was entrusted with Potiphar’s household. He knew who owned the things he was responsible for. He made sure Potiphar did not suffer loss. That‘s who God favors. Those who hold to their integrity and attribute it to Him.
Don‘t get duped into believing you can look at a person’s circumstances and assume God’s favor or lack thereof. You’d be treading on holy ground and unwelcomed to do so.
Note of hope: if you are in circumstances that you cannot understand and you know your walk before God is upright according to Scripture you have his favor.
Joseph had lessons to learn. You and I do to. Circumstances teach us those lessons. If you’re walking upright before God and life flips upside down, recognize God’s favor, his goodness to love you enough to keep you humble before him. Look at how Joseph’s test ended. He was able to see God more clearly. He wasn’t filled with bitterness. He had a love that only could be manifested by God. All of that happened in God’s favor during time in prison.
It takes a biblical examination of your relationship with God to determine God’s favor, not circumstances.
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