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Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Rev Xi An Poon

主題經文：「耶和華與約瑟同在，他就百事順利；他住在主人埃及人的家中。」——創世記39:2

創世記39章一開始，約瑟已經被帶到埃及。他離開了父家，離開了熟悉的地方，也離開了原本作兒子的身份。從人的眼光看，他是被哥哥出賣、被帶到外邦地作奴僕、失去自由和尊榮的人。

可是聖經在這一章不斷重複一個很重要的事實：耶和華與約瑟同在。

約瑟雖然失去了很多外在的東西，但他沒有失去神的同在。人可以把他帶離父家，人可以把他賣到埃及，人可以改變他的身份和環境，但人不能把神的同在從他生命中拿走。

約瑟雖然不是承接君王應許主線的那一位，但他仍然是亞伯拉罕的子孫，是神約中的人。神沒有忘記他，也沒有因為他被賣到埃及就停止在他生命中的工作。

一、在失去中，仍然被神記念

創世記39:2說：「耶和華與約瑟同在，他就百事順利；他住在主人埃及人的家中。」

約瑟從被愛的兒子，變成埃及人家中的奴僕；從人的角度看，他好像失去了很多。但神讓我們看見，約瑟雖然失去了父家的保護，卻沒有失去神的同在。

有時候，我們很容易用環境來判斷神是否還記念自己。如果環境順利，就覺得神同在；如果被誤會、被放低、被人虧待，就覺得神是不是離開了。

但創世記39章提醒我們，神的同在不是由環境高低來決定，而是由神自己的信實來保證。約瑟在埃及看似是失去的人，但在神眼中，他仍然是被記念的人。

二、在託付中，盡心做好手上的事

創世記39:3-4說：「他主人見耶和華與他同在，又見耶和華使他手裡所辦的盡都順利，約瑟就在主人眼前蒙恩，伺候他主人，並且主人派他管理家務，把一切所有的都交在他手裡。」

約瑟不是在自己理想的位置上服事。他不是在父家中被尊重的兒子，而是在埃及人家中作奴僕。但他沒有因為身份低微就隨便做，也沒有因為被人虧待就抱怨不做。

創世記39:6說：「波提乏將一切所有的都交在約瑟的手中，除了自己所吃的飯，別的事一概不知。」

波提乏把很多事情都交給約瑟。從人的角度看，約瑟可以埋怨：「為什麼所有事情都要我做？為什麼什麼責任都壓在我身上？」

但經文沒有記載約瑟抱怨。相反，聖經強調神使他手裡所辦的盡都順利。這提醒我們，很多時候責任越多，人越容易抱怨。但約瑟的生命讓我們看見，一個活在神同在中的人，不是先用抱怨回應託付，而是學習在神面前忠心。

真正看見我們勞苦的是神；真正使我們手中所做有果效的，也是神。

三、在委屈中，仍然活出神同在的見證

約瑟面對波提乏妻子的試探時，他清楚地說：「我怎能作這大惡，得罪神呢？」——創世記39:9

約瑟知道，罪不只是得罪人，也是得罪神。所以他選擇敬畏神，拒絕犯罪。

可是約瑟選擇敬畏神，並沒有立刻換來人的公平對待。相反，他被誣告，被下在監裡。從人的角度看，這是很大的委屈。

但創世記39:21說：「但耶和華與約瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司獄的眼前蒙恩。」

約瑟從波提乏家下到監牢，環境又再下降；但神的同在沒有下降。人的看法可以改變，人的評價可以扭曲，人的制度可以不公平，但神仍然與他同在。

後來，司獄也把監裡的事交在約瑟手下。約瑟在主人家中被信任，在監牢裡也被信任。這說明約瑟的見證不是靠職位，不是靠環境，而是從他與神的關係中流露出來。

更特別的是，這些看見約瑟的人都是外邦人。波提乏是埃及人，司獄也是埃及體系裡的人。但他們從約瑟身上看見一件事：神與他同在。

創世記39:3說：「他主人見耶和華與他同在。」

約瑟沒有在埃及建立講台，也沒有擁有宗教地位，但他的生命、忠心、工作和品格，讓外邦人看見耶和華與他同在。

創世記39章讓我們看見，約瑟的人生表面上是不斷下降：從兒子變成奴僕，從管家變成囚犯。但在每一個下降的地方，神的同在都沒有離開。

約瑟沒有因被賣而停在抱怨裡，沒有因被託付很多事而埋怨，也沒有因被冤屈而放棄忠心。他在每一個位置上，都盡心做好手上的事，也在外邦人面前活出神同在的見證。

今天，我們是否只在環境順利時相信神同在？當許多事情交在我們手中，我們是先抱怨，還是在神面前忠心？當人未必明白我們的付出，甚至錯待我們時，我們是否仍然守住敬畏神的心？願我們不只是追求事情順利，更追求在每一個位置上，都讓人從我們身上看見神的同在。

禱告：親愛的天父，感謝祢藉著約瑟的生命提醒我們，祢的同在不受環境限制。即使在人看為低谷、委屈和不公平的地方，祢仍然記念屬祢的人。

主啊，求祢幫助我們，不用抱怨回應託付，不用灰心回應委屈，也不用環境高低來判斷祢是否同在。求祢賜給我們忠心的生命，在手上所做的事上盡心，在人看不見的地方敬畏祢，在眾人面前活出祢同在的見證。

奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

創世記 39

1 約瑟被以實瑪利商人帶到埃及，賣給了法老的內臣護衛長波提乏。 2 約瑟住在他的埃及主人家中，耶和華與他同在，使他凡事亨通。 3 他主人看出耶和華與他同在，使他凡事亨通， 4 就賞識他，讓他服侍自己，派他管理自己家中一切事務。 5 自從埃及人波提乏派約瑟管理自己家中一切事務以後，耶和華因為約瑟的緣故而賜福他主人家，使他主人家裡和田間的一切都蒙福。 6 於是，波提乏把一切事都交給約瑟管理，除了自己要吃的食物以外，什麼也不管。

約瑟體格健壯，相貌英俊。 7 後來，波提乏的妻子看中了約瑟，向他眉目傳情，要引誘他上床。 8 約瑟拒絕了她，說：「我主人信任我，把家裡一切事都交給我管理。 9 在這家裡，沒有人比我權力更大了，我主人把一切都交給了我，唯獨你除外，因為你是他的妻子。我怎能做這種醜事得罪上帝呢？」 10 但她還是每天勾引約瑟，約瑟不從，並儘量避開她。

11 一天，約瑟進屋裡辦事，那時屋裡沒有其他人。 12 波提乏的妻子抓住約瑟的外衣，硬要與他上床。約瑟丟下外衣擺脫她逃了出去。 13 她見約瑟丟下外衣逃了出去， 14 就叫來家裡的人，對他們說：「你們看，我丈夫帶回家的這個希伯來人戲弄我們！他進來要與我上床，我就大聲呼喊， 15 他聽見我大聲喊叫，就把衣服丟在我這裡，逃了出去。」 16 她把約瑟的外衣留在身邊，等她丈夫回來後， 17 就對他說：「你帶回來的那個希伯來人進來要戲弄我， 18 我大聲喊叫，他就把衣服丟在我這裡，逃了出去。」

19 波提乏聽了妻子講述約瑟如何對待她之後，勃然大怒， 20 把約瑟關進王囚禁犯人的監牢。 21 約瑟坐牢的時候，耶和華與他同在，恩待他，使監獄長賞識他。 22 監獄長把獄中所有囚犯及一切事務都交給約瑟管理。 23 凡交到約瑟手中的事情，監獄長都很放心，因為耶和華與約瑟同在，使他凡事亨通。

Genesis 39 begins with Joseph being taken down to Egypt. He was away from his father’s house, away from the place he knew, and away from his identity as a beloved son. From a human point of view, he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into a foreign land, and became a slave.

But in this chapter, the Bible keeps repeating one very important truth: the Lord was with Joseph.

Joseph lost many outward things, but he did not lose the presence of God. People could take him away from his father’s house. People could sell him into Egypt. People could change his position and situation. But no one could take away God’s presence from his life.

Although Joseph was not the one carrying the kingly line of the promise, he was still a descendant of Abraham. He was still a person within God’s covenant. God did not forget him. God did not stop working in his life just because he was sold into Egypt.

First, Remembered by God in Times of Loss

Genesis 39:2 says: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”

Joseph went from being a beloved son to becoming a slave in an Egyptian household. From the outside, it looked like he had lost so much. But the Bible shows us that although Joseph lost the protection of his father’s house, he did not lose the presence of God.

Sometimes, we use our circumstances to judge whether God still remembers us. When things go well, we feel that God is with us. But when we are misunderstood, treated unfairly, or placed in a low position, we may wonder whether God has left us.

Genesis 39 reminds us that God’s presence is not decided by how high or low our circumstances are. It is secured by the faithfulness of God Himself.

In Egypt, Joseph seemed to be a man who had lost everything. But in God’s eyes, he was still remembered.

Second, Faithful in What Has Been Entrusted

Genesis 39:3–4 says: “And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.”

Joseph was not serving in an ideal place. He was not a respected son in his father’s house. He was a slave in the house of an Egyptian. But he did not work carelessly because his position was low. He did not complain and stop being faithful because he had been mistreated.

Genesis 39:6 says: “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.”

Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that he placed many things in Joseph’s hands. From a human point of view, Joseph could have complained, “Why must I do everything? Why is so much responsibility placed on me?”

But the Bible does not record Joseph complaining. Instead, it tells us that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.

This reminds us that when responsibility increases, people can easily begin to complain. But a person who lives in the presence of God does not first respond to responsibility with complaint, but learns to be faithful before God.

The One who truly sees our labour is God. The One who gives fruit to what is in our hands is also God.

Third, Bearing Witness to God’s Presence When Wronged

When Joseph faced the temptation from Potiphar’s wife, he clearly said: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9

Joseph knew that sin was not only against people. Sin was first against God. So he chose to fear God and refused to sin.

But choosing to fear God did not immediately bring fair treatment. Instead, Joseph was falsely accused and put into prison. From a human point of view, this was a great injustice.

But Genesis 39:21 says: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

Joseph went down from Potiphar’s house into prison. His situation became even lower. But God’s presence did not become lower. People’s opinions can change. People’s words can be false. Human systems can be unfair. But God was still with him.

Later, the keeper of the prison also placed things under Joseph’s care. Joseph was trusted in his master’s house, and he was trusted in the prison. This shows us that the witness of God’s presence does not depend on position or environment. It flows from a life that walks with God.

What is even more special is that the people who saw Joseph’s life were foreigners. Potiphar was an Egyptian. The keeper of the prison was also part of the Egyptian system. Yet through Joseph’s life, they saw one thing: God was with him.

Genesis 39:3 says: “And his master saw that the Lord was with him.”

Joseph did not have a pulpit in Egypt. He did not have a religious position. But through his life, faithfulness, work, and character, others could see that the Lord was with him.

Genesis 39 shows us that Joseph’s life seemed to keep going downward: from son to slave, from overseer to prisoner. But in every low place, the presence of God never left him.

Joseph did not remain in complaint because he was sold. He did not complain when many responsibilities were placed in his hands. He did not give up faithfulness when he was falsely accused.

In every place, he faithfully did what was in his hands. And before foreigners, he lived as a witness of God’s presence.

Do we only believe God is with us when things are going well? When many things are placed in our hands, do we first complain, or do we remain faithful before God? When people do not understand our labor, or even treat us unfairly, can we still keep a heart that fears God? May we not only seek for things to go smoothly, but also seek to live in such a way that people can see God’s presence through our lives.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us through Joseph’s life that Your presence is not limited by our circumstances. Even in low places, injustice, and unfair treatment, You still remember those who belong to You.

Lord, help us not to respond to responsibility with complaint. Help us not to respond to injustice with discouragement. Help us not to judge Your presence only by our circumstances.

Give us a faithful heart. Help us to do well what is in our hands, to fear You even when no one sees, and to live as a witness of Your presence before others.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Genesis 39

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. 13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”

16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.”

19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.