Genesis 39:17-23; Genesis 40:1-8
Once again Joseph is the object of terrible injustice. He is condemned by a false testimony and locked up in gaol with the prisoners. Psalms 105:18 describes his physical and moral sufferings: "Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron". And once again, these sufferings herald those of the Saviour. Hands were laid on Jesus (Mark 14:46), false witnesses were brought against Him (Matthew 26:59-60), "he was numbered with the transgressors" (Mark 15:28), He who had "done nothing amiss" (Luke 23:41).
The prison was full of guilty prisoners. How moving it is to see Joseph in the midst of them, not regarding himself as superior because he is innocent, in no way disgusted with the sights, nor discouraged either, but not ceasing to serve. Our thoughts can only be led to the perfect Man who came to share in our miserable and hopeless condition in order to serve us in love. He "went about doing good", Peter will say (Acts 10:38), adding "for God was with him". Such will also be so for Joseph, in the prison as well as when he was with Potiphar (Genesis 39:3; ; Genesis 39:21; Genesis 39:23); this is both a consolation to him and also the secret of his prosperity. May we enjoy this same happy experience everywhere and always!