Everything about the Potiphar/Joseph relationship suggests
Potiphar hand-delivered Joseph to Pharaoh’s prison with accompanying
instructions for Joseph’s treatment.
Doubtless Potiphar had highest respect for Joseph—did they not have a
superb eleven-year-working relationship? and, he, a still higher respect/fear
for Joseph’s God. So, having to deliver
Joseph to prison would have irritated Potiphar for at least four reasons:
(1) He didn’t believe
the accusation of his wife, though he feigned great anger with Joseph.
(2) He is being forced into a compromised position, having
to go through this charade of taking Joseph to prison, simply to maintain the
appearance of peace at home.
(3) He is losing the
finest overseer he’s ever had and his departure will ultimately cost Potiphar
money.
(4) Potiphar had come to be “at home” with the sense of
blessing that flowed from Joseph to the home because of Joseph’s ready
acknowledgment of “the Lord” (the one true God) in all he did.
In sum, Potiphar knew what things were like before Joseph
came and did not relish returning to those days. Mayhap he could later visit Joseph in prison
and learn more of the ways of his God.
That thought brightened him.
Potiphar, as captain of Pharaoh’s guard, would have far
out-ranked the keeper of Pharaoh’s prison, but he wanted to present himself as
solicitous as possible for Joseph’s sake.
The very fact Potiphar was delivering one of his slaves for an indeterminate
period of time was most curious. Was not
this prison for the enemies of Pharaoh?
So Potiphar attempted explanation, without making explanation, finally
saying it would be worth the prison keeper’s while to treat Joseph with great
respect.
And with that Potiphar launched into a litany of Joseph’s
giftings, not the least of which was “the Lord’s” oversight on his behalf. Then having done what he could, Potiphar took
leave of Joseph.
With Potiphar’s accolades for his new prisoner
running through his mind, the prison keeper (PK) thought, “O.K., he’s supposed
to have tremendous organizational skills, speak the language well and can get
along well with all types of people, maybe he can get done with some of these
‘high and mighty’ folks things he couldn’t?”
Socially, these folk proved no challenge for Joseph; had he not been
relating to Potiphar for eleven years in a near state of equality? Potiphar was also an invaluable help to
Joseph in the social realm, personally instructing him on the finer points of
social grace. No, Joseph was ready.
With proper introductions to the prisoners, the PK began
releasing responsibility to Joseph. Like
Potiphar, the PK was amazed at how quickly Joseph picked up on how things
should and could be done. In nothing
flat, Joseph persuaded former sullen and uncooperative prisoners, the merits of
doing things a certain way—making life better for all. And it worked! Within weeks the whole atmosphere of the
prison changed. It certainly wasn’t a
“country club”, but it was much better than it had been, prisoners were more
cooperative and there was a certain “peace” that prevailed over everything.
One day in a more relaxed mode, with his feet on his desk,
and Joseph now totally in control, the PK mused, “So, Potiphar was right. This Joseph is a most unusual person. And beyond all the things he can obviously
do, there is this delightful peace that surrounds everything he does and seems
to flow from him.” And then he concluded
the obvious, “This man doesn’t belong here.”
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