Genesis Chapters 39-41
Chapter 39 A popular theory in some circles is that Joseph was in Egypt during the time that Semitic Hyksos rulers had control of Egypt. They ruled from about 1710-1570 B.C. Yet from the Bible chronologies we learned that Joseph was in Egypt long before this, that is, around 1898 B.C. Davis notes, “According to 1 Kings 6:1 the exodus from Egypt took place 480 years before the fourth year of Solomon. The fourth year of Solomon is usually regarded as about 966 B.C., meaning that the exodus occurred approximately 1446-45 B.C. The Egyptian sojourn was 430 years long (Exo. 12:40), so it began approximately 1875 B.C. This synchronizes with the dates normally accepted for the reign of Sesotris III: 1878-43 B.C. Evidence is abundant that Middle Kingdom pharaohs had interests in the Delta region. Sesostris’ capital, for example, was It-towy (Lisht), which is near the Delta. James R. Battenfield suggests that the Joseph story explains why Sesostris attempted to abolish feudalism: ‘Sesostris III bought out the landed monarchs not because of some sort of social revolution, but because of an economic disaster, a severe food storage’. Genesis 47:20 suggests that Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. If this marked the cessation of feudalism, as Battenfield suggests, ‘it would seem that Joseph could not have lived 215 years later in the fifteenth dynasty, Hyksos-dominated Egypt, because at that time (1674-1570) feudalism was being reinstituted and not abolished” (p. 267). Hence the following factors seem to indicate that the Hyksos domination of Egypt began at least a century after Joseph arrived and ended prior to Moses’s birth. The Hyksos were driven out in 1580 B.C. and the Exodus did not happen until 1446 B.C., at which time Moses was 80 years old, yet some scholars argue that the Hyksos domination of Egypt occurred much earlier, around 2000 B.C. Other factors seem to indicate that during the time of Joseph, he was dealing with Egyptian officials, who were truly Egyptian in nationality: 1. The strict
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segregation between Hebrews and Egyptians (Genesis 43:32). 2. The disdain on the part of the Egyptians for shepherds (46:34). 3. The marriage of Joseph to the daughter of the high priest of On (41:45). Aalders notes, all this “would be in conflict with the policies of the Hyksos kings, for the Hyksos people did everything in their power to break the domination of the Egyptian priests” (p. 199). 4. The Pharaoh encountered by Joseph, ruled all of Egypt (lower and upper) (41:41,43,44,46; 47:20-21), whereas it appears that the rule of the Hyksos kings was limited to lower Egypt (the upper portion of Egypt on a map). 1 39:1-6 Potiphar quickly observed that every thing Joseph did was blessed with success. Step by step Joseph rose to prominence. He was Potiphar’s personal attendant, then chief of the household servants, finally manager of the entire estate. Potiphar came to completely trust Joseph with everything he owned. Despite Joseph’s natural abilities, let us remember that Joseph succeeded because God providentially was assisting him. “One cannot help but be impressed by Joseph’s courage and determination. Despite his treatment at his brother’s hands, he sought no sympathy, solicited no pity. On the contrary, he energetically committed himself to whatever task was laid before him” (Davis pp. 269-270). Joseph didn’t spend his time brooding over the injustices that had happened to him. How many of us allow injustices of the past to hinder us in the present, because we want to spend all our energy remaining mad, feeling sorry for ourselves, and so on. Despite the fact that his own brothers had sold him into Egypt, Joseph remained mentally and emotionally strong, with his hope fixed in God (Philippians 4:4-9; Colossians 3:1ff).
Temptation 39:7 Success also often brings its own temptations. “With a measure of success often comes an even greater measure of temptation” (Davis p. 270).
39:8-9 These verses reveal how Joseph was able to resist this flattering and attractive temptation. Kidner notes, “Joseph’s reasons for refusal (8,9) were those that another man might have given for yielding, so neutral is the force of circumstances. His freedom from supervision and his rapid promotion, which have corrupted other stewards (Luke 16:1ff), and his realization that one realm only (9) was barred to him (which others, from Eve onwards, have construed as a 1
For the pros and cons on this point see “Bible Students Commentary. Genesis Volume II, G. Ch. Aalders, pp. 197-201”.
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frustration) were all arguments to him for loyalty. By giving the proposition its right name of wickedness (“this great evil”) (9) he made truth his ally, and by relating it all to God (9) he rooted his loyalty to his master deep enough to hold” (p. 190). Despite the fact he was nothing more than a slave to Potiphar, Joseph greatly respected his master, and practiced loving his neighbor as himself (Romans 13:8-10). Joseph didn’t mince words, what this woman was suggesting was sin against God and a great evil. Often, temptation gets the best of us, because we are unwilling to acknowledge that sins condemned by God are really that that bad. Sin will beat us, when we, like the world start re-labeling various sins. Joseph’s attitude is wonderful. He doesn’t view himself as a deprived man, or a man who “deserves” more. Neither is he angry at God. Yes, God had allowed Joseph to be parted from his father, but was this any reason to stop loving God? Yet how many of us yield to temptation because we believe that we deserve it? Or, how many of us yield to temptation because we feel that God hasn’t given us what we need—so we need to take matters into our own hands? In addition, remember that back at home, the level of morality among his brothers was low. “His reaction contrasts sharply with Reuben’s (35:22) and Judah’s (38:16)” (Davis p. 270). Joseph also knew that the God he served wasn’t limited by geography. Joseph did not say, “No, I can’t do that, because I would be sinning against you”, or, “I would be hurting myself”, or, “I would be letting down my parents”, or even, “I would be sinning against your husband”. All these reasons, through true, can be easily rationalized away, yet “sinning against God” is another thing. Remember that sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults. It is an act of rebellion against God. Here we have one of many examples in the Bible which throws a monkey wrench into the human theory of Situation Ethics. I can already hear the philosophy teacher saying, “A young man, betrayed by his own family, heartlessly sold into slavery, brought to a foreign country, scared, lonely and unloved. Befriended by a married, albeit unloved and lonely woman. In such a situation, would it really be wrong for this young man and married woman to find at least a little bit of happiness in the midst of misery? After all, isn’t a slave entitled to some happiness? These are real human beings with real needs, wouldn’t it be inhuman to condemn this love affair? Where is your compassion?” Well, not only did God condemn such a relationship, but Joseph condemned it!
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39:10-12 Observe how the devil works The constant pressure day after day, which broke a man like Samson (Judges 14:17; 16:16). The temptation was flexible, if Joseph couldn’t be stormed, then maybe he would be worn down or coaxed. Then there is the final attack (12). “Resisted to the end, the temptation could run its full course and display all its strategy: the first approach, flattering and startling (7); the long attrition, for ever reopening the closed question (10); now the final ambush, where all is lost or won in a moment (12)” (Kidner pp. 190-191). Years ago someone pointed out that the temptations you will yield to are those things which you haven’t firmly made a decision on. We need to realize that certain temptations hit unexpectedly, where we only have a split second to make our decision to flee. Joseph didn’t stop and say to this women, “Let’s sit down and discuss this”. The wisdom of Proverbs 5:8 “Keep your way far from her” is displayed by Joseph’s fleeing. Flee, because this can cost you your soul! (2 Timothy 2:22). “Unfortunately, many believers flee temptation only to wait around the corner for it to catch up to them!” (Davis p. 270).
We must reject the idea that circumstances inherently cause us to sin. In this case, the devil had all the circumstances on his side. Joseph was a young, attractive, testosterone filled man. A man quickly elevated to a position of power who was being pursued by apparently an older and attractive woman. When the attack happened, they were all alone together. And it wasn’t that Joseph had missed the signals she was sending, she had grabbed him and embraced him! If our heart belongs to God, then we can overcome even the hardest circumstances! If our heart doesn’t belong to God, then we will sin even if the circumstances are heavily in our favor. Especially, young people need to realize that spiritual life and death and even physical life and death can often depend upon split-second decisions. Friends at school want you to join them on a joy ride. Someone offers you a beer or drugs at a party that was supposed to be innocent. Even when you think you are with the right crowd or person, plans can often drastically change during a date. And you might find yourself under intense pressure to go along with the crowd. What decision will you make? Realize that when people are bent on doing evil, they will exploit any perceived hesitation on your part. 39:13-15 Doing the right and noble thing doesn’t always bring with it immediate rewards! By refusing to lie with Potiphar’s wife, Joseph would incur the full wrath of a woman who had no moral standards. Humiliated by Joseph’s refusal, she determined to get revenge. “When their spiteful mistress referred to Joseph 4
as ‘this Hebrew’ this only added fuel to the fire. No doubt the other servants were jealous of Joseph’s rapid promotion and would be happy to assist in his downfall” (Aalders p. 203). Yet Joseph will resist believing the devil’s lie that “nice guys finish last”. 39:16-20 Verse 20 may suggest that this prison in which Joseph was confined was a prison for political prisoners. There is some question as to why Potiphar didn’t have Joseph immediately executed. Some say that he didn’t entirely believe his wife, but the text says that “his anger burned”. It could be that Joseph was imprisoned to be executed at a future time. Or, that life imprisonment was his sentence. Psalm 105:18 reads “They afflicted his feet with fetters, he himself was laid in irons”. This suggests that this imprisonment wasn’t easy. “Corrects any idea that Joseph had a gentle reception” (Kidner p. 192). It may suggest that Joseph was initially beaten and harshly treated, and then the treatment changed. 39:21-23 I am greatly impressed that even this setback and great injustice didn’t shake Joseph’s confidence in God. Joseph didn’t say, “I’ve had it, what is the use of doing the right thing, if I only seem to suffer for taking the high moral road?” “I don’t think that God exists after all, for serving Him faithfully has only resulted in trouble and hardship”. Or, “I guess serving God faithfully doesn’t work in the real world”. The common argument among many people, especially many people in the business and political realm, is that if they take the moral high road, they will go out of business or lose the election. We need to have greater faith in God and His providential workings! “Joseph’s outstanding abilities and integrity, crowned with the touch of God, were constant at every level: as prisoner and as governor he was simply the same man” (Kidner p. 192).God doesn’t waste our time. A lesser man might have thought that this time in prison was a complete loss, but God was preparing him for his future governmental career no matter where he resided. Carefully note, God never forgets about the righteous, and personal integrity and faithfulness only magnifies whatever talents we have. In addition, be impressed that ungodly and worldly people are often impressed by the hard working and honest believer. Joseph didn’t believe that honesty, integrity and morality were qualities that would keep him from moving up the ladder. Situations didn’t change Joseph, rather, his faithfulness enabled him to overcome and transform what looked like failure into success.
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Chapter 40 40:1-4 The cupbearer and the baker in this section were high-ranking and valued officials. In latter days Nehemiah would be the cupbearer to Artaxerxes king of Persia and was a man of great influence and ability (Nehemiah 1:1ff). The cupbearer had the responsibility to see that all drinks served to the king were both safe and of the best quality. Likewise, the baker was responsible for the quality and wholesomeness of the food that was presented before the Pharaoh. Now the following is pure speculation, but it could be that a plot to poison the Pharaoh was discovered, in which the poison was intended to be inserted into the Pharaoh’s food or drink. To be safe Pharaoh threw both officials in prison, until an investigation could establish their innocence or guilt. It seems clear that Potiphar was in charge of this prison (39:1; 40:3), and it equally appears that Potiphar’s wrath against Joseph has somewhat cooled, and he places Joseph in charge of seeing that the needs of these two prisoners are met. If we continue to do the right thing, often we can change people who initially hate us. 40:6-7 Joseph was not a man preoccupied with his own troubles (Phil. 2:3-4). Oh, how many opportunities to teach or serve others do we end up missing because our minds are consumed with our own troubles. Joseph didn’t have the attitude which says, “Don’t tell me your troubles, I have troubles of my own”. And just note that Joseph didn’t think that being in prison was any reason for being sad or depressed! “Joseph’s quick concern brings out another aspect of his besides efficiency and integrity; and his immediate reference to God rings true: it was the habit of his mind (39:9; 41:16,51,52; 45:8)” (Kidner p. 193). 40:8 As will be typical with Joseph, credit is always given to God. 40:9-15 By divine inspiration Joseph interprets the dream. Joseph simply asks one favor, that the cupbearer would mention his case to Pharaoh. Joseph doesn’t mention the role that his own brothers had played in his kidnapping. Morris suggests, “no doubt being ashamed of this for the sake of the family name” (p. 572). 40:16-19 Evidently, encouraged by the favorable interpretation given to the cupbearer, the baker pipes up and reveals his dream, yet the news isn’t good, in three days he will be executed. Joseph is a man who tells the truth, even when it hurts or is hard to accept.
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40:20-23 The birthday of an emperor was a time when the emperor would often offer pardon or inflict punishment. The Jehovah Witnesses abstain from celebrating birthdays, because they argue that every time a birthday is celebrated in Scripture, something bad happens. Besides being bad reasoning, such a claim isn’t true. Some good things happened on this birthday—the cupbearer found his freedom! Yet Joseph seems forgotten again! (23) Would this be the final straw? Would this finally break Joseph’s confidence in God? For some men and women would this be the breaking point. “Another unanswered prayer”! Yet a man of faith is no so easily discouraged.
Chapter 41 41:1 Two years after the last event described in the previous chapter. Joseph is now 30 years old at this time (41:46). Thus, 13 years have gone by since he was sold into slavery. 41:2-4 “We may notice the Egyptian coloring of the dream, with the cows coming up out of the river (where…they like to stand almost submerged, at refuge from the heat and flies) for pasture in the reed-grass or papyrus-beds” (Kidner p. 194). 41:5-7 The east wind was common to both Egypt and Palestine, it was a hot wind which swept in from the desert and scorched and withered all plant life. “The Arabs actually distinguished between two east winds. The ‘Chamsin’ sometimes lasted as long as fifty days and usually came in the spring of the year. The ‘Samoem’, on the other hand, came at various times of the year and was of brief duration” (Aalders pp. 210-11). 41:8 Clearly Pharaoh was troubled, for the dreams were too much alike to suggest that they were just an ordinary type of dream. “The repetition of the same theme with different figures greatly impressed Pharaoh” (Morris p. 577). 41:8-13 As in other Biblical examples, human magicians completely fail in their attempts to penetrate the future. Davis notes, “In the entire Bible, only two Israelites engage in the interpretation of dreams---Joseph and Daniel---and significantly enough, each serves a pagan monarch, the one in Egypt, the other in Mesopotamia, precisely the lands in which oneiromancy (the professional interpretation of dreams) flourished. Moreover, in each case, the Israelite is careful to disclaim any innate ability, attributing all to God” (pp. 273-274).
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Consistently, the supposed “experts” in such things as magic or astrology fail in the Biblical account. It is at this time that the cupbearer finally speaks up. 41:14 “The Egyptians, according to Herodotus, had extreme care of cleanliness, and thus the men would let their hair and beard grow only during periods of mourning” (Morris p. 579). Davis notes, “Had Pharaoh been a Hyksos king, shaving would have been unimportant. But native Egyptians were clean-shaven, making it eminently important” (p. 275). 41:15-16 Observe Joseph’s humility, God is given all the credit. “It is not in me” is a clear assertion that human beings aren’t born with a natural ability, or an ability apart from direct divine inspiration, which enables them to interpret dreams, predict the future, read minds, etc…With all his ability, apart from God, Joseph, like the rest of us wouldn’t of had a clue what these dreams meant. 41:25-32 We are not told if this famine was a judgment upon Egypt, it appears that it wasn’t, but rather merely a natural disaster. “It is one of life’s irregularities, and Joseph points out that a wise manager will insure against them, taking extra measures if he can see extra hazards” (Kidner p. 196). Morris notes, “God, however, had not brought all these things to pass for the purpose of embarrassing or dethroning the king of Egypt. As a matter of fact, his own control over the country was destined to be strengthened by these events” (p. 582). Seven-year famines were not unknown to Egypt, in fact such a famine had happened in the reign of Djoser. Famines could be very severe in Egypt, accounts tell us that during some famines the population had turned to cannibalism in order to survive. 41:33-37 Joseph proceeded to give Pharaoh advice concerning how to handle the coming famine. Joseph knew that Egypt couldn’t rely on everybody putting something aside, for many people spend all that they earn. In addition, many individuals would be needed to implement this plan on a national scale. In addition, this grain must not fall into the wrong hands. “A 20 percent levy (onefifth)..might well be resisted, especially if enacted by an unpopular sovereign. Thus, the chief administrator of this plan would have to be skilled in diplomacy and persuasion, as well as be of unquestioned integrity himself, in order to overcome the natural reluctance of the people to such a tax” (Morris pp. 583-584). 41:38-44 Immediately, in a moment of time, Joseph suddenly finds himself to be Pharaoh’s right hand man and the second most powerful man in Egypt (and possibly the whole world). Pharaoh gave Joseph the royal seal (42), which 8
enabled Joseph to transact state affairs in the name and authority of Pharaoh. “Joseph’s clothing and jewelry (43) accord well with numerous Egyptian paintings” (Davis p. 276). Be impressed with how quickly things can change, when God’s Providential workings hit their target date. Let none of us ever complain, “God, why aren’t You doing something about….”, or, “God, why are you allowing me to remain in this….” And give credit to this Pharaoh for being humble enough to see the truth when it is presented to him. He doesn’t arrogantly claim, “What does this foreigner know!” By elevating Joseph, this Pharaoh had just saved himself and his people. Note, God is being very merciful, for without His warning and Joseph’s preparations many people would have died in the years to come, not only in Egypt, but in the entire ancient world (41:57). 41:45 Joseph is given an Egyptian name, “Zaphenath-paneah” (ZAF nath pay ah NEE ah). “The practice of giving foreigners an Egyptian name is very well attested” (Kidner p. 197). We aren’t sure what the name actually means, Egyptian-based interpretations include, “God has spoken and he lives” or “He who knows things”. Joseph is also given a wife, “Asenath” (AS ih nath). From the name of the father, it appears that he was in service to the god Ra (Poti-phera means, “he whom Ra has given”). The sun god Ra was an important deity in ancient Egypt. “It is worthy to note that the pharaohs also chose their wives out of this family and this is indicative of the high rank that Joseph was accorded” (Aalders p. 216). The city of On, also called Heliopolis, lies north of Memphis on the east side of the Nile. It was a center for sun worship, is was located about 7 miles north of modern Cario. 41:46-49 Joseph immediately went to work. I am simply impressed that Joseph is the same man through miserable and wonderful circumstances alike. None of this went to his head, he never became arrogant, he was a man who didn’t yield to the most addictive of temptations, i.e. self-pity, hate, depression, lust, greed and power! 41:50-52 A year before the famine, Joseph becomes a father. The name Manasseh means, “making to forget”. The name reveals that Joseph had been hurt deeply by what his brothers did to him. Even when he was prospering as a servant in Potiphar’s house, as a servant in prison, or as second in command to Pharaoh, he often longed to see his father and his family. It appears that finally, to Joseph, Egypt for the first time in his life started to feel like home. Be impressed that you can remember injustices of the past without letting such things turn you into a vengeful or hateful person. Joseph was realizing that 9
everything which God had allowed to happen had only turned out for the best (Genesis 50:20). The name Ephraim means “fruitfulness”. Once gain, Joseph realizes that God has been the true source of all his physical blessings. Even after all his affliction and his elevation, Joseph remains a humble man. He is far from the attitude which says, “Yes, I really deserve this, it’s about time something good happened in my life!” 41:53-57 Because Palestine was watered by rainfall and Egypt by the Nile, famine did not usually happen in both regions at the same time, yet this famine hits the entire region.
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