When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
Genesis 39:3–4 NIV
Genesis 39 gives us a powerful glimpse into the life of Joseph. It reveals a truth that remains vital for us today: the presence of God in a person’s life is unmistakable and transformative. The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered even as a slave. When Potiphar observed that everything Joseph did succeeded, he acknowledged that it was because the Lord was with him. This moment marked a significant turning point in Joseph’s journey.
Joseph was a young man who carried the presence of God. His physical condition as a slave did not diminish his spiritual stature. Though young and enslaved, he remained deeply connected to the Lord. His physical bondage did not limit his spiritual freedom. His life reminds us that no circumstance, however harsh, can separate us from God when we choose to walk with Him. He is a shining example of someone who hosted and radiated the presence of God in every place and situation.
Remarkably, Joseph did not need to proclaim that God was with him; it was evident to all who encountered him. His life bore silent but powerful testimony to the divine presence he carried. Even his master, Potiphar, could see it. The success Joseph experienced was not merely a result of his skill or diligence, but a visible manifestation of God’s favour upon him. Whatever he put his hand to prospered, for God was his helper.
Because of this undeniable presence, Joseph found favour in Potiphar’s eyes and was entrusted with great responsibility. Potiphar’s attraction to Joseph was not superficial; the divine grace upon Joseph’s life drew him in. Potiphar may not have fully comprehended it, but he knew enough to desire what Joseph carried. He recognised that the foundation of Joseph’s extraordinary success was not earthly but spiritual.
This truth carries a profound lesson: when our lives bear the presence of God, it draws others, not necessarily to us, but to the God within us. Men may be drawn to our lives, but it is the divine fragrance we carry that truly captivates them. Joseph’s life illustrates that hosting God’s presence marks a man out for favour, promotion, and leadership.
Potiphar, seeing the consistent blessing that flowed through Joseph, entrusted him with all that he owned. From the time Joseph took charge, the Lord blessed Potiphar’s household because of him. Both the house and the field flourished. It was not merely Joseph who prospered; everything connected to him experienced God’s blessing.
This account offers us a firm assurance: when we carry the presence of God in our careers, businesses, and everyday endeavours, we can expect divine favour and success. God’s presence upon our lives has a ripple effect, blessing not only us but also those we serve, work with, and lead.
In Joseph’s case, Potiphar eventually entrusted everything to his care, concerning himself with nothing but the food he ate. Such was the confidence he placed in Joseph’s leadership under God’s guidance. It shows how the presence of God elevates a man, setting him apart for significant responsibility and trust.
A vital lesson emerges from this narrative: if I desire to walk in the kind of testimony Joseph had, I must continually carry the presence of God. The presence of God must not be an occasional garment that I wear only during moments of need. It must be a constant reality, woven into the very fabric of my life.
May we, like Joseph, be those who faithfully host God’s presence everywhere we go, becoming living testimonies of His favour, blessing, and glory.