3”His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.” (Genesis 39:3–4 (ESV)
Proverbs 16:1-9 is an instructive portion of wisdom literature. Solomon achieves a delicate balance between the providential sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Consider what Solomon considers by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
The wisdom of Solomon applies in the life of his ancestor Joseph. It is interesting to note that even the Egyptian Potiphar saw that Yahweh was with Joseph and that it was the LORD who caused all which Joseph did to succeed. Joseph was actively serving the LORD as the LORD was actively working in and through Joseph (Phil.2:12-13).
Puritan Matthew Henry writes, “Joseph’s brethren had stripped him of his coat of many colours, but they could not strip him of his virtue and prudence. Those that can separate us from all our friends, yet cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of all his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian. Joseph was separated from his brethren, but not from his God; banished from his father’s house, but the Lord was with him, and this comforted him. It is God’s presence with us that makes all we do prosperous.”
Have a blessed day in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 