But The Lord
Genesis 39:21 (ESV) But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
We tend to make light of this moment. Prisons in our day offer prisoners much more than the ancient world. In fact, the literature we read and the tourist sites we explore reveal just how inhuman most ancient prisons were. Joseph's prison experience is given some detail in Psalm 105:
Psalm 105:17–18 (ESV) he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;
Joseph was chained by the neck and ankles. Picture that for a moment. This would be unthinkable today and it was exactly what he got for doing the right thing. Joseph got exactly the opposite of what he SHOULD have received. Joseph was punished for sins he did not commit. In fact he was punished for the sins of Potiphar's wife and those who refused to speak up for him in the face of injustice.
It's amazing how Genesis is written with Joseph's life portrayed so clearly as a type of Christ. It's as if in the first book of the Bible, God wants us to see absolutely clearly, this is how it's going to end. The redemption of my people and the feeding of the nations will happen when an innocent man suffers terribly for the sins of others.
We see Christ in Joseph, and we learn about trusting the Lord in the midst of our own injustices.
Everything in Joseph's life seems to be against him. But those three little words are everything here: "But the Lord..."
76 times the phrase, "But the Lord" shows up in the Bible, and it is often followed by really good news. For example:
Judges 6:23 (ESV) But the Lord said to (Gideon), “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”
Psalm 34:19 (ESV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 40:17 (ESV) As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.
2 Timothy 4:17 (ESV) But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
What does the Lord do for Joseph:
1. He shows his steadfast love.
This is God's covenantal loyal love to His chosen. The Hebrew word is, "Hesed", it means "loyal love." It is most often described as love from God in the Bible. Very few people are said to have "hesed" in scripture. God will not take away His love from His servants. No matter what mess you find yourself in, God's love is still going to be shown in your life. You are His child!
2. He gave him grace (favor). Did you notice that Joseph is once again put in a managerial position? God's grace upon Joseph led to Joseph's success in less-than-desirable circumstances.
Sometimes life will be the opposite of what you expect. You may get demotion. Instead of climbing the ladder, you slip down a few rungs. What you MUST remember is God's loyal love and grace will follow you. He's not giving up on you in those moments. He's been there Himself. He got what He didn't deserve and was robbed of what should have been His... for us! For us He did that so that we could handle with Him whatever life may throw at us... both good and bad.
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