Day 147-11

IX - The Reign of Solomon - 985-945 B.C. ~ cont.

C. Solomon's fame and downfall (17 years) ~ cont.

4. Proverbs ~ cont.

b. Other Proverbs of Solomon ~ cont.

(6) Personal conduct - Proverbs 19:1-29; 20:1-30; 21:1-31; 22:1-16
{pages 647 -

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.  (Proverbs 19:14)

prudent - H7919 - A primitive root; to be (causeatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent.

Used  63 times, first usage:

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.   (Genesis 3:6)

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.   (Deuteronomy 29:9)

And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.  (2 Chronicles 30:22)

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.  (Nehemiah 9:20)

Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: (Job 34:27)

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.   (Psalm 14:2)

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.  (Jeremiah 3:15)

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.  (Daniel 1:17)

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.  (Amos 5:13)

Lord, only You can give understanding and a prudent heart to Your people.  Help us to desire to be filled with Your understanding.  Guide and direct us to walk in Your ways, to be skillful in the areas to which You have assigned us.

Day 23

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

c. Sold into Egypt by his brethren - Genesis 37:36; 39:1

2. Prosperity in Egypt - Genesis 39:2-6

3. Judah and Tamar

a. Tamar's husbands - Genesis 38:6-30; 1 Chronicles 2:4

4. Joseph flees adultery - Genesis 39:7-19

5. Joseph jailed

a. His prosperity - Genesis 39:20-23

b. Joseph interprets dreams of baker and butler - Genesis 40:23

6. Death of Isaac (180 years) - Genesis 35:28-29

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  (Genesis 39:2)

And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  (Genesis 39:3)

But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  (Genesis 39:21)

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.  (Genesis 39:23)

Joseph was known to be a good steward and favored of God.  Gill's commentary on the portions underlined above:

Gen 39:2 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies:

Gen 39:3 and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand; and though Potiphar might have no knowledge of the true Jehovah, whose name he uses, yet he might have a notion of a supreme Being, and that all outward prosperity was owing to him; and knowing Joseph to be an Hebrew, as it is plain his wife did, Gen_39:14; and Jehovah to be the God of the Hebrews, he imputes all the prosperity that attended Joseph and his services unto his God.

Gen 39:21 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Comforting him with his presence under his afflictions; supporting him with his right hand; sanctifying all his troubles to him, and so causing him to bear them patiently and cheerfully:

Gen 39:23 and that which he did the Lord made it to prosper; every method he took to secure the prisoners, every scheme he formed to bring them to confession of their crimes, or to clear those that were innocent; and every other thing relative to prison affairs, all through the good hand of God upon him, guiding, directing, and blessing him, succeeded well, which gained him the favour and good will of the keeper and the prisoners.

I am feeling a tad bit convicted ~ Joseph who had done no evil, sold, made a servant first to Potiphar (who could have had him executed for the 'assault'), then as a servant to the jailer. In such circumstances one might be tempted to bewail the situation, wondering if there is anything lower to which one might descend.

It does not appear that Joseph was upset or annoyed by the situation, though (after interpreting the butler's dream) he does respond thus:

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:15)

Requesting that the butler, once restored, petition Pharaoh for him. Two years pass - Joseph obviously spent his time prudently and diligently. In due time Father will exalt us if we are about HIS business. This does not necessarily mean wealth and exalted positions of authority on this side of glory.

Taken to the depths, plunged into situations and circumstances that tried, tested and settled Joseph's resolve, Father brings him to the juncture:

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:44)

Take comfort beloved of the Lord, for Father has said:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.