Topical Bible: Prisoners: Joseph

◄ Prisoners: Joseph ►

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Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a prominent figure in the Book of Genesis. His life account, marked by trials and divine providence, offers profound insights into the themes of suffering, faith, and redemption. Joseph's experience as a prisoner is a pivotal chapter in his journey from favored son to a powerful leader in Egypt.

Betrayal and Imprisonment

Joseph's troubles began with the envy of his brothers, who were incensed by their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, which suggested he would one day rule over them. This jealousy culminated in their decision to sell Joseph into slavery. He was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his dire circumstances, Joseph found favor in Potiphar's house due to his diligence and the LORD's blessing upon him (Genesis 39:2-4).

However, Joseph's integrity was soon tested. Potiphar's wife attempted to seduce him, but Joseph refused, saying, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). Angered by his rejection, she falsely accused him of assault, leading to his imprisonment (Genesis 39:19-20).

Life in Prison

Even in prison, the LORD was with Joseph, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Joseph was entrusted with the care of all the prisoners, and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper (Genesis 39:21-23). This period of incarceration was not merely a time of suffering but also one of preparation and divine orchestration.

While in prison, Joseph encountered Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, who had been imprisoned due to offenses against their master. Both men had troubling dreams, and Joseph, acknowledging that interpretations belong to God, offered to interpret them (Genesis 40:8). The cupbearer's dream foretold his restoration to Pharaoh's service, while the baker's dream predicted his execution. Events unfolded precisely as Joseph had interpreted, yet the cupbearer forgot Joseph's request to mention him to Pharaoh (Genesis 40:21-23).

Divine Providence and Release

Joseph remained in prison for two more years until Pharaoh himself had perplexing dreams. The cupbearer then remembered Joseph's gift of interpretation and recommended him to Pharaoh. Summoned from the dungeon, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, revealing that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years of severe famine. He advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise and discerning man to oversee the land of Egypt during the years of plenty to prepare for the famine (Genesis 41:14-36).

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom and the evident presence of God's Spirit in him, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as the second-in-command over Egypt, saying, "Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40). Joseph's rise from prisoner to prince exemplifies God's sovereign ability to use adversity for His purposes and the fulfillment of His promises.

Legacy

Joseph's time as a prisoner was a crucial part of God's plan to preserve the lineage of Israel and fulfill His covenant promises. Through his suffering and subsequent exaltation, Joseph became a type of Christ, prefiguring the ultimate redemption and deliverance found in Jesus. His account continues to inspire believers to trust in God's providence, even in the darkest of circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 39:20-23
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
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Genesis 40:1
And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
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Genesis 41:1-44
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
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Library

Joseph's Eagerness to Help Others
... Joseph and showed kindness to him and helped him to win the friendship of the keeper
of the prison, so that he placed all the prisoners in Joseph's charge and ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/josephs eagerness to help others.htm

Chapter xxxix
... He must look after the prisoners and their welfare. His administrative ability is
recognized, and Joseph puts it to use with the same faithfulness as when he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxix.htm

What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.
... Now, as his fellow prisoners, when their hard labors were over, fell to discoursing ...
This man was under the same bonds with Joseph, and grew more familiar with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm

Goodness in a Dungeon
... Joseph's relations to jailer and fellow-prisoners are beautiful and instructive.
The former is called 'the keeper of the prison,' and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/goodness in a dungeon.htm

Joseph and his Brethren.
... God was with Joseph in the prison, and gave him such favour with the keeper
that he set him over all the other prisoners. Among ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.htm

Joseph, a Servant, a Prisoner, and a Saint.
... Even there Joseph won the hearts of all, until the keeper of the prison set him
over the other prisoners, and trusted him as Potiphar had done. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vii joseph a servant.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were
in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Chapter xl
... 4. Interpretation of the Prisoners' Dreams by Joseph (40:1-23) The things that
transpire in this chapter are in preparation for Joseph's deliverance. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xl.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... When the lord heard this, anon he gave faith and believed his wife, and being sore
wroth, set Joseph in prison where the prisoners of the king were kept and he ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Joseph, the Prime Minister
... the unconcerned slave-dealers, Potiphar, his wife, the prisoners, Pharaoh, are ... Joseph's
thirteen years of trial, crowned with sudden prosperity, may read all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/joseph the prime minister.htm