A New Look at Old Genesis 2

“The warden paid no attention to Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” –Genesis 39:23

Here’s another example of a familiar Bible story hitting me in a whole new way. I’ve read Joseph’s amazing story many times, but when I read this verse, I had to stop and think. It says that God gave Joseph success in whatever he did.

Now let’s just back up the turnip truck for a moment. (That’s such a bizarre phrase, don’t ya think? I may have to look into its history for curiosity’s sake.* But back to the story . . .)

Joseph was a slave. Then Joseph was framed for a crime he didn’t commit and became a prisoner. I don’t know of many societies that would define these “occupations” as success. Parents don’t say, “When my boy grows up, I hope he’s forced into slavery” or “put into prison for a crime he didn’t commit.” No. It just doesn’t happen. Not anywhere. I don't think.

Yet Genesis 39 tells us that the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success. In fact, it says it twice. Verses 3-4b say (of Joseph's time as Potipher’s slave),

“When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.”

When we read the rest of the story, we learn that God eventually grants Joseph huge worldly success as well. But these verses from Genesis 39 don’t say, “the Lord planned to give Joseph success.” They say, “the Lord gave him success in everything he did” (emphasis mine).

I think the take-away point for us is that the circumstances we find ourselves in don’t determine success or failure in God’s eyes. Oftentimes circumstances are out of our control. We have to trust God with that, just as Joseph did. But if we serve God faithfully in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, doing whatever our hands find to do with all our might (see Ecclesiastes 9:10a), this is success in God’s eyes.

Paul’s message to slaves in Colossians 3:22-24 sums this up well:

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

If we know God is with us, as Joseph obviously did, and we serve Him in all circumstances, He will bless our efforts with success right where we are. And even if we don’t see that success on society’s terms, we can trust that, in God’s eyes, we’re doing well indeed.

Lord, help us keep our eyes on You, serving You only through all we do.


*Results of my research: Oh! I get it. You back up the truck because you never know what may "turn-up" when you go over the ground a second time. Clever--that phrase gets creativity points. (No, Justin, I don't know how many--you can decide this time.)