Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Genesis Chapter 39
Metaphysically Interpreting Genesis 39:1-23
39:1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither. 39:2And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 39:3And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 39:4And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 39:5And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. 39:6And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat.
And Joseph was comely, and well-favored. 39:7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 39:8But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand: 39:9he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 39:10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 39:11And it came to pass about this time, that he went into the house to do his work; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 39:12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 39:13And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 39:14that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us: he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 39:15and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out. 39:16And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. 39:17And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 39:18and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.
39:19And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 39:20And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 39:21But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 39:22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.39:23The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because Jehovah was with him; and that which he did, Jehovah made it prosper.
October 13, 1901: Genesis 39:20-23
The events of this lesson follow closely upon those of our last lesson, and the teaching is along the same line. It all applies to the life of the soul, and portrays different experiences in the growth of the Real Man. Joseph is the great prototype of Jesus the Christ, and a comparative study of their lives shows many parallels.
Pharoah casts Joseph into prison, but “the Lord was with Joseph.” In this plane of consciousness, although Joseph (our awakening spiritual consciousness) is already in bondage to our lower self, we place still more restraint upon it, placing it in such complete abeyance that we neither perceive its presence nor hear its promptings. It is imprisoned in the depths of our mentality. But it is merely awaiting its opportunity, for the Lord is with it, and in fullness of time it will come forth to its rightful place in the mind of man.
– UNITY magazine.
June 13, 1926: Genesis 39:1-6
What is the meaning of “Pharaoh” and in what part of man's consciousness does he rule? Pharaoh means “the sun.” He represents the ruling will at the sun center or solar plexus, at the pit of the stomach. This faculty is the ruler of all the fleshly functions.
What do Potiphar and his wife represent? Potiphar and his wife represent the ruling egos as the life or sex center. When the imagination pictures lascivious things it falls under the temptation of Potiphar and his wife, but Joseph, with the help of Jehovah, stood this temptation.
What is the meaning of the name “Joseph” and what does Joseph represent in this lesson? In the Hebrew language, the meaning of the name “Joseph” is “increaser, adding.” He represents the formative, building power of the mind, called the imagination.
What is the allegorical meaning of Joseph's slavery in Egypt? All ideas require a substance matrix in which to form and increase. In man's consciousness Egypt represents the substance or body. Instead of indulging in daydreams, the imagination (Joseph) is captured and set to work to bring about the preservation and the redemption of the body.
June 13, 1926: Genesis 39:19-23
Why was Joseph imprisoned? When we refuse to give in to sense consciousness, a reaction usually follows and we seem for a time to be rendered inactive in that particular function. This imprisonment is temporary and, if we are faithful to the divine law, what seems bondage will eventually lead to greater freedom and success. Joseph, in prison, interpreted dreams so successfully for Pharaoh's butler and baker, and finally for Pharaoh himself, that he was made ruler over the whole of Egypt, second to Pharaoh.
What great and good lesson do we get from the experiences of Joseph in Egypt? In his every experience, good or bad, Joseph, was true to Spirit, represented by Jehovah. Faithfulness to the duty at hand, coupled with prayer and confidence in the goodness of God, always leads to victory. Enmity, persecution, sense temptation within and without can be successfully overcome and super-success can be attained by anyone who studies and faithfully patterns after the life of Joseph.
September 2, 1945: Genesis 39:20-23
Is it possible for us to remain conscious of divine love and keep our faith in it intact, even when we are burdened and oppressed? Yes. Even if we find ourselves in situations that are not of our choosing, we may always keep intact our faith in divine love.
What faculty is represented by Joseph, and does it noticeably affect the mind and the body? Joseph represents the imagination, which powerfully affects both mind and body in countless ways. The fact that “Jehovah was with Joseph” even after he had been thrown into prison signifies that the law of God is still at work helping the imagination to express itself spiritually, even though it appears to be “imprisoned” or making little progress.
What type of imagination leads to dependability and trustworthiness? Creative imagination, the kind that has to do with constructive ideas in the mind and that increases such ideas until they give us power to accomplish what we undertake.
How do we make contact with the realm of ideas? Through the imagination. The idea on which we fix our thoughts increases in consciousness. Eventually it takes on form and becomes manifest.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-06-2014
