February 6 | Bible in a Year: Exodus 39–40; Matthew 23:23–39

The Loneliest Man

While Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness. Genesis 39:20–21

READ Genesis 39:11–22

On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped out of their lunar landing module and became the first humans to walk on the surface of the moon. But we don’t often think about the third person on their team, Michael Collins, who was flying the command module for Apollo 11.

After his teammates clambered down the ladder to test the lunar surface, Collins waited alone on the far side of the moon. He was out of touch with Neil, Buzz and everyone on earth. NASA’s mission control commented, “Not since Adam has any human known such solitude as Mike Collins.”

There are times when we feel completely alone. Imagine, for instance, how Joseph, Jacob’s son, felt when he was taken from Israel to Egypt after his brothers sold him (Genesis 37:23–28). Then he was thrust into further isolation by being thrown in prison on false charges (39:19–20).

How did Joseph survive in prison in a foreign land with no family anywhere nearby? Listen to this: “While Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him” (vv. 20–21). Four times we’re reminded of this comforting truth in Genesis 39.

Do you feel alone or isolated from others? Hold on to the truth of God’s presence, promised by Jesus Himself: “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). With Jesus as your Saviour, you’re never alone.

By Dave Branon

When do you feel most alone? How does God remind you that He’s with you in your times of isolation?

Dear heavenly Father, please help me know, as You’ve promised in the Scriptures, that You’re with me as You were with Joseph.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The book of Genesis shows the contrast between the life of Joseph and the failures of his forefathers. Abraham and Isaac both failed by giving their wives over to foreign powers for selfish reasons (Genesis 12:10–20; 20:1–17; 26:6–16). Judah failed by committing adultery for his own pleasures (ch. 38). But when Joseph was tempted, he remained faithful to God. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he said, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (39:9 ). God would later use faithful Joseph to save Jacob’s family and all Egypt.