It is these two characteristics that caused him to be raised to the highest position in Egypt, as Pharaoh's prime minister (Genesis 41:40). Pharaoh saw the hand of God on Joseph's life, and saw in him someone with both wisdom and integrity; someone in whom Pharaoh could place his trust to do what was necessary.
Joseph didn't suddenly receive integrity as a gift from God when he needed it to serve Pharaoh; he lived in integrity throughout his life. We see this in the various things that the Bible records him doing.
After Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, he became a slave of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard (Genesis 37:28, 36). That must have been quite a blow to Joseph, going from being the favorite son of Jacob, a wealthy man, to being a slave. Yet Joseph was faithful in his new position. So faithful that Potiphar promoted him and put him in charge of his whole household (Genesis 39:4). His integrity was so high at that point in his life that his master trusted him to the point that he "knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat" (Genesis 39:6).
Unfortunately, Potiphar's wife also saw these characteristics in Joseph and was attracted to him. She asked him to "lie with her" (Genesis 39:7). Not only did she do this once, but the Bible says she did this daily (Genesis 39:10).
Joseph's response the first time showed his integrity.
But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
- Genesis 39:8-9 8But 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. 9There 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?”
Finally, probably in frustration, she lays a trap for him and gets him alone in the house. "And she (Potiphar's wife) caught him (Joseph) by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (Genesis 39:12). He was so adamant about protecting his integrity, that he didn't let her hand on his clothing stop him, and she literally tore his clothes off him in his escape.
Although Joseph acted with integrity, it cost him. Potiphar's wife lied to her husband, telling him that Joseph had come to rape her. Scripture doesn't tell us what Joseph's response to this accusation was, but in this case, although he knew it would cost him, he refused to say anything against her.
Prayer Focus
Even in prison Joseph acted with integrity. Joseph found favor in the sight of the warden of the prison and he put Joseph in charge of everything in the prison. His time in prison, and the integrity he showed there, ultimately led to him becoming Pharaoh's prime minister.
BFWC, let us walk in the light of integrity each day. A lifestyle of integrity will produce a life of promised promotion!
