DAILY TEXT, Today Sunday June 23, 2024, Joseph's master grabbed him and put him in the prison where the king's prisoners were kept (Gen. 39:20).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024.

Sunday June 23, 2024

Joseph's master grabbed him and put him in the prison where the king's prisoners were kept (Gen. 39:20).

The Bible indicates that for a time Joseph's feet were shackled and he was chained by the neck (Ps. 105:17, 18). His situation went from bad to worse: he went from being a trusted slave to being a common prisoner. Have we had to go through a distressing situation that was getting worse even though we prayed a lot? That's something that could happen. Jehovah does not prevent us from going through trials in the world controlled by Satan (1 John 5:19). Now, we can be sure that our Father is very aware of everything that happens to us and cares about us (Matt. 10:29-31; 1 Pet. 5:6, 7). Furthermore, he has promised us: “I will never leave you and I will never forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). With Jehovah's help we can endure situations that seem to have no solution. w23.01 15, 16 paras. 7, 8.

What shows that Jehovah was with Joseph during his years in prison? (Genesis 39:21-23).

(Read Genesis 39:21-23). Jehovah made Joseph successful even in that dark time of his life. What happened? Just as he had done with Potiphar, Joseph gained the trust and respect of the prison chief, who soon put him in charge of all the prisoners. In fact, the Bible says that “the head of the prison cared nothing about what he had placed in Joseph's care.” Thanks to that, José now had his mind occupied with something productive. Isn't it surprising that they would give so much authority to a man accused of trying to rape the wife of a court official? There is only one possible explanation. As Genesis 39:23 says, “Jehovah was with Joseph and Jehovah made sure that everything he did turned out well.”

Why is it likely that Joseph did not feel that everything was going well for him?

Let's put ourselves in José's place again. Let's think: did he feel that everything was going well for him while he was in prison because of a false accusation? What did Joseph want most? Was it to like the head of the prison? Surely what he wanted was to be acquitted and set free. In fact, he asked a prisoner who was about to be released to tell Pharaoh about him so he could be released from that horrible prison (Gen. 40:14). However, because the man took a long time to speak to Pharaoh, Joseph had to spend two more years in prison (Gen. 40:23; 41:1, 14). But, thanks to Jehovah's help, Joseph continued to do well. How is that possible?

What gift did Jehovah give Joseph, and how did this help fulfill Jehovah’s purpose?

While Joseph was in prison, Jehovah caused the king of Egypt to have two disturbing dreams. Pharaoh was eager to know the meaning of it. So, when he found out that Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, he sent for him. With Jehovah's help, Joseph not only explained the meaning of the dreams, but also told him how he should act. And this greatly impressed Pharaoh. Realizing that this young man had Jehovah’s support, he appointed him food steward for all of Egypt (Gen. 41:38, 41-44). Years later, a long time of famine arose that not only affected Egypt, but also Canaan, where Joseph's family lived. Thanks to Joseph's position, he could now save his people, who would become ancestors of the Messiah over time.

What did Jehovah do to help Joseph do well?

Let's think about the twists and turns that Joseph's life took. Who made Potiphar notice him, when he was nothing more than a slave? Who made the head of the prison put him above the other prisoners? Who caused Pharaoh's disturbing dreams and gave Joseph the gift of interpreting them? Who was behind the appointment of him as Egypt's food administrator? (Gen. 45:5). It is clear that it was Jehovah who made everything he did work out for Joseph. In the end, Jehovah turned the evil plan of Joseph's brothers into a means to accomplish his will.

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