Forgotten by Man, Remembered by God – Genesis 39–40

Joseph, sold by his brothers, becomes a servant in Potiphar's house. Though he resists temptation, he is wrongly imprisoned. Yet even in prison, God is with him, granting favor and giving him insight to interpret dreams.

From Potiphar's House to Prison – God’s Presence in Joseph’s Trials

Joseph kneeling in prayer inside a prison cell / 감옥에서 무릎 꿇고 기도하는 요셉의 모습

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and brought to Egypt, where he became a servant in the house of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s official and captain of the guard. "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered... Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned." [Genesis 39:2–4]

But peace didn’t last. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tempted him, but Joseph stood firm. "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" [Genesis 39:9] He was falsely accused and thrown into prison. Yet again, Scripture says, "The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." [Genesis 39:21]

Even in prison, Joseph was put in charge. "The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." [Genesis 39:23]

Later, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker were imprisoned with him. Both had troubling dreams one night. Joseph said, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams." [Genesis 40:8] He interpreted their dreams: the cupbearer would be restored, the baker executed.

Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was restored: "When all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness... get me out of this prison." [Genesis 40:14] But the man forgot. "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." [Genesis 40:23]

👉 Find out what happens when Pharaoh dreams – next in Genesis 41! Joseph Becomes Governor – Pharaoh’s Dreams and God’s Plan [Genesis 41]

잊혀진 감옥, 그러나 하나님은 요셉을 기억하셨다 [창세기 39–40장]

보디발의 집에서 유혹을 뿌리친 요셉은 억울하게 감옥에 갇히지만, 그곳에서도 하나님은 그와 함께하셨습니다. 감옥 안에서도 하나님의 손길은 계속되고 있었습니다.

유혹과 억울함 속에서도 – 감옥에서도 함께하신 하나님

형제들의 시기로 인해 팔려간 요셉은, 하나님의 인도하심 속에 바로의 신하 보디발의 집에 머물게 되었습니다. 그곳에서 요셉은 성실히 일하며 점차 신뢰를 얻게 됩니다. “여호와께서 요셉과 함께 하시므로 그가 형통한 자가 되어...요셉이 그의 주인에게 은혜를 입어 섬기매 그가 요셉을 가정 총무로 삼고 자기의 소유를 다 그의 손에 위탁하니” [창세기 39:2–4]

그러나 보디발의 아내가 요셉을 유혹했고, 요셉은 단호히 거절했습니다. “...내가 어찌 이 큰 악을 행하여 하나님께 죄를 지으리이까” [창세기 39:9] 이 일로 요셉은 누명을 쓰고 감옥에 갇히게 됩니다. “여호와께서 요셉과 함께 하시고...간수장에게 은혜를 받게 하시매” [창세기 39:21] 감옥 안에서도 요셉은 모든 일을 맡았고, “간수장은...여호와께서 요셉과 함께 하심이라...” [창세기 39:23]

얼마 뒤, 바로의 술 맡은 관원장과 떡 굽는 관원장이 함께 갇히고, 각기 다른 꿈을 꾸지만 해석할 자가 없어 괴로워합니다. 요셉은 말합니다. “...해석은 하나님께 있지 아니하니이까 청하건대 내게 이르소서” [창세기 40:8]

요셉은 두 사람의 꿈을 해석했고, 술 맡은 관원장에게는 복직을, 떡 굽는 관원장에게는 죽음을 예언합니다. 그는 간절히 부탁했습니다. “당신이 잘 되시거든 나를 생각하고...이 집에서 나를 건져주소서” [창세기 40:14] 그러나 관원장은 요셉을 잊었습니다. “술 맡은 관원장이 요셉을 기억하지 못하고 그를 잊었더라” [창세기 40:23]

요셉은 유혹 앞에서도 하나님을 두려워했고, 감옥에서도 해석은 하나님께 속한다고 고백했습니다. 억울한 상황 속에서도 요셉의 중심에는 하나님을 향한 신뢰가 있었고, 그는 묵묵히 그 자리를 지켰습니다.

우리도 삶에서 이해되지 않는 시간을 지날 수 있습니다. 하지만 그때도 하나님은 우리와 함께 하십니다. 때로는 아무 일도 일어나지 않는 것처럼 보이는 순간조차, 하나님의 응답은 우리가 잊혀졌다고 느끼는 그 순간에도 자라고 있습니다.

👉 다음 편: 총리가 된 요셉 – 바로의 꿈과 하나님의 계획 [창세기 41]

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