Genesis 39:5
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
From the time Potiphar set Joseph as overseer over his house and all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake, with blessing resting on all he had in the house and in the field. That increase came not as a direct miracle apart from means, but as God crowning Joseph's faithful, diligent, careful and persevering industry, which won his master's confidence so that he left all in Joseph's hand. God did not leave Joseph alone among idolaters in Egypt, but stayed with him and prospered him, giving him favor and keeping His eye and guiding hand upon him. Joseph credited God for the prosperity, his idolatrous master recognized God as its source, and in both prosperity and adversity Joseph honored God without compromise as His representative among a heathen people. His steadfast faithfulness in a lowly, tried position trained him for greater service and made him a proven pattern of integrity for all who are forming character for eternity.
Setting and Blessing
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites and, finding favor in him, entrusted all that he possessed to Joseph's care. He left everything he had in Joseph's hand and concerned himself with nothing except the food he ate, because it was considered an abomination for a Hebrew to prepare food for an Egyptian. From the time Joseph was made overseer in the house and over all that Potiphar had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake. The blessing rested on everything he owned, both in the house and in the field.
The prosperity was not a direct miracle, but God crowned Joseph's faithful, diligent, and careful service. His persevering industry, energy, and thoughtful care brought success and earned his master's regard. God did not leave Joseph alone when he was taken to Egypt, for angels prepared the way for his reception, and the Lord stayed with him, prospered him, and gave him favor. His eye was upon Joseph and His hand was leading him in the blessing on everything in the house and in the field, ordering by providence even a checkered life.
God's presence and guardianship continued with Joseph after he was separated from his father, and He did not forget him among idolaters. Joseph was the human agent through whom the blessing rested on the Egyptian household, but the source of his character and its fruit was God. He credited God for his prosperity, and his idolatrous master recognized God as its source.
Faithfulness and Witness
Joseph remained steadfast and faithful to duty as a slave in a lowly station, and that faithfulness in a lowly place trained him for greater service. His faithfulness grew out of careful training in early years, where he learned to consult duty rather than inclination. Thus the purity and simple trust of the boy bore fruit in the deeds of the man. He trusted in God without discouragement, and his courage and uprightness were fully tested, with purpose of heart and purity of motive made manifest.
Tried and proved, he stood firm to principle and became a representative man and a pattern of integrity worthy of imitation. He is set before students who are forming characters that will stand the test of the judgment, since each is deciding eternal destiny in this probationary time for which there will be no second probation. In prosperity and in adversity he honored God and never compromised with idolaters. He bore his religious faith and his name as a worshiper of the living God as a special honor.
As a representative of Jehovah among a heathen nation, he carried to unbelievers the blessings that come to humanity through a knowledge of God. God honored him by causing blessing to rest on the Egyptian household for his sake, and in this he stands as the pattern for God's institutions to the world. His faithful service brought blessing to his Egyptian master's household and property, making him a representative of God among people who did not worship Him. His service in a heathen court shows that God in providence may place a person amid corruption and give grace to stand, not in human strength but in His strength. It was not accident but Providence ordering his checkered life, using a youth of firm principle to carry out God's purposes.
He is the example of a trustworthy person whose faithfulness in a position of great responsibility can bring blessing to the household, property, and people around him. His faithful character and right conduct did not keep him from being maligned and persecuted. Yet God brought him signal victories even while he appeared to suffer for doing right.