Читать книгу Boyd's Commentary - R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation - Страница 24

Joseph had legitimate reasons to be bitter, given all he had endured before securing a position in the king’s palace. But he also had good reason to be encouraged. Despite the thirteen years of a hardening heart that had become weathered by the toxic winds of betrayal, abandonment, and injustice, the Lord was still with him (Gen. 39:2, 21). His role in Potiphar’s house and his service in the king’s prison helped prepare Joseph to fulfill his destiny as the instrument of God to preserve and reposition the posterity of His people.

As a slave in Potiphar’s house, Joseph learned how to be an administrator, managing the day-to-day operations of the master’s household. This prepared him on a smaller level for what he would do for the economy of Egypt on a much bigger scale. Because the prison he was in was the king’s prison, Joseph’s time was spent interacting with and learning from individuals who would have been knowledgeable of the customs and practices in Egypt. By practicing these, Joseph became a more amenable subject before the king.

For every negative experience, there is a positive to match. We only have to search for it. Through the crucible of life, our gaze can become sharpened to recognize Christ hidden in the midst of a crisis. The love we have for the Savior enables us to see past the haze of bitterness and look toward a hope for something better.