his master, the Egyptian, and his master saw that the Lord was with him_.


We have in this passage an object lesson which teaches us what Christ is to
us. Note: Joseph was a slave, but God was with him so distinctly that his
master could see it. "And his master saw the Lord was with him, and that
the Lord made all that he did prosper in his hands; and Joseph found grace
in his sight, and he served him,"--that is to say, he was his slave about
his person,--"and he made him overseer over his house,"--that was something
new. Joseph had been a slave, but now he becomes a master. "And he made him
overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hands. And it
came to pass, from the time that he had made him overseer in his house,
and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for
Joseph's sake, and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the
house and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and
he knew not all he had, save the bread which he did eat."

We find Joseph in two characters in the house of Potiphar: first as a
servant and a slave, one who is trusted and loved, but still entirely a
servant; second, as master. Potiphar made him overseer over his house and
his lands, and all that he had, so that we read afterward that he left
everything in his hands, and he knew of nothing except the bread that
came upon his table. I want to call your attention to Joseph as a type of
Christ. We sometimes speak in the Christian life, of entire surrender, and
rightly, and here we have a beautiful illustration of what it is. First,
Joseph was in Potiphar's house to serve him and to help him, and he did
that, and Potiphar learned to trust him, so that he said, "All that I have
I will give into his hands." Now, that is exactly what is to take place
with a great many Christians. They know Christ, they trust Him, they love
Him, but He is not Master, He is a sort of helper. When there is trouble