Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 39:2-4 (New International Version)

² The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ³ When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, ⁴ 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.

Joseph had been sold as a slave by his brothers. He was put into the hands of an Egyptian named Potiphar.

It appears that Joseph was good at everything. Everything he touched went well. Joseph must have been a pretty smart guy to learn all that was around him and handle it smartly. Sounds pretty good, these words that I apply to Joseph. That is how we would describe Joseph today.

Now notice how Potiphar describes Joseph and remember that Potiphar is an Egyptian – not one of God’s chosen people:

When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did

People didn’t use to say, “Joseph is a really smart guy.”

Instead, they said, “The Lord is with Joseph.”

Hmm, somewhere along the line we may have forgotten the Lord’s hand in every thing and every person.