Genesis 39

Bad things do happen to good people, but according to God's purpose.

Joseph does what he always does, and that is do the best job he can. If Joseph grumbled and complained about his misfortune, the Bible doesn't record it. He is put as a slave in Potiphar's house and becomes not only a servant, but the overseer of all that Potiphar owns. God is not limited, we only limit ourselves by not believing fully in him. 

Unfortunately for Joseph Potiphar's wife has a straying eye and it is looking toward Joseph. He spurns her advances for a long time, but finally he is caught alone in the house with no one else around and after he runs off from her, in her jealously she makes a story about the cloak he left behind in his haste. Potiphar comes home and his wife tells him all about the story that didn't happen. She even has the gall to blame it on Potiphar because he purchased Joseph. I believe the fact that Potiphar spares Joseph's life and puts him in prison shows God's hand and his own distrust of his wife. 

Again, we don't hear any grumbling or complaining from Joseph, and before long God blesses and he is running the prison like he ran Potiphar's house. We know that through all of this God was putting Joseph in the right place at the right time. If he had cursed God and given up, he never would have delivered his brothers and all of Israel during the famine. The same is in our lives, no matter how bad it might get, serve God with all your heart and God will be faithful in the end. 

Genesis 24

Abraham finds a wife for Isaac

As a matter of personal opinion, I believe that the person we marry (if you are going to marry) is the second most important decision we will ever make behind Salvation. There was a reason God ordered the Hebrews not to intermarry with other countries. It wasn't about racism, but was that they were to love and marry those that thought of, and served God the way the Israelites were commanded to. To be unequally yoked is a real and confining issue. 

Abraham wanted someone for his son that believed the same way they did. He knew it would help him in his service to God. I know this may shock some people, but we are here to serve God, not please a spouse. I believe two people that love one another will have a beautiful marriage if they put God first. Most probably the marriage will last ONLY if they put God before each other. 

Abraham orders his servant to go find a wife from his brothers family. The servant knows this is an important task and not and easy one. He asks Abraham how he will be sure of his journey and Abraham informs him that God has already prepared the way. Make sure that if God sends you on a mission for his purpose, he has already prepared the way. 

The servant goes off to find the bride and is met with success just as God had assured Abraham it would be. He finds Rebekah and she is an honest and eager helper of the servant. The servant assures and convinces Laban, Rebekah's brother, that this is truly from God and meant to be. 

The servant brings Rebekah back to Abraham and Isaac and she becomes Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau.