Our story picks up with Joseph, a mere seventeen years old, ripped from his family and sold into slavery in Egypt. Talk about a rough start! The Book of Jubilees, a fascinating text that expands on the biblical narrative, tells us that he was bought by Potiphar, described as “an eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief cook.”
Now, Potiphar’s title is interesting. Some traditions, drawing on the Hebrew term saris, interpret "eunuch" more broadly, perhaps meaning an officer or courtier, rather than strictly someone who is castrated. Either way, Potiphar isn't just anyone. He's got connections.
And immediately, things start looking up for Joseph. Why? Because, according to Jubilees, "he set Joseph over all his house." Joseph, a slave, now managing the entire household of a high-ranking Egyptian official. How did that happen?
Well, the text tells us plainly: "the blessing of the Lord came upon the house of the Egyptian on account of Joseph." Everything Potiphar touched turned to gold, all because Joseph was there. "The Lord prospered him in all that he did," Jubilees emphasizes.
It's a testament to Joseph's character. His integrity, his work ethic – whatever it was, it was obvious. Potiphar saw it. He "saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord prospered him in all that he did." He entrusted everything to Joseph. Talk about trust!
And then there’s this little detail slipped in almost casually: "And Joseph's appearance was comely and very beautiful was his appearance." It's a reminder that Joseph possessed not only inner qualities but striking outward beauty. This detail becomes rather important later in the story, as you might recall.
So, what are we left with? A young man in a foreign land, facing impossible odds, yet blessed with success and favor. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What qualities did Joseph possess that allowed him to rise above his circumstances? Was it solely divine favor, or was there something more? And how can we cultivate those qualities in our own lives, even when the odds seem stacked against us?