Genesis 39 “Joseph and Potiphar”
AUDIO HERE.
Intro: Rich Christians, Poor Christians; Successful and Unsuccessful; Beautiful, Ugly; Famous and Forgotten
-One thing they have in common: The Lord is them.
MI “The Lord is with his people in the pleasant and painful times.”
- The LORD is with Joseph in the Pleasant Times (1-6a)
-Joseph: slave in the house of Potiphar (1)
-Potiphar captain of the guard
-NOTE: “The LORD was with Joseph”: (2,3)
-God’s presence and protection of Joseph
–KEY idea here at the beginning, and at the end.
-The Lord is with Joseph in the prosperous, pleasant time.
-God blessed him with success and favor
-“he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master”
-“The LORD blessed the Egyptians’ house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had”
–“He left all that he had in Joseph’s charge… no concern but the food he ate.”
SUMMARY: God was with Joseph in the pleasant times. Joseph’s success and favor were due to God.
*APPLICATION: The LORD is with his people in the pleasant times.
–WISDOM: To see our riches, Success, Career Advancement, Recognition as gifts from Him
-These are not our life, Christ is our life.
-One day they will all go away, and far better riches—being in heaven—will come (James 1:9-11)
–FAITHFUL: God calls us to be faithful with the prosperity He has given to us.
-Guard your heart against covetousness. “cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches”
-When prosperity increases, stay humble and guard your heart (Prov 30:7-9)
–JOYFUL: Rejoice in our God who gives good gifts
-See that the greatest gift is Christ - The LORD is with Joseph in the Painful Times (6b-23)
The pleasant circumstances of Joseph’s life are about to radically change
-But we see this: the LORD is with Joseph in the painful times too
-He is with us as well in the painful times.
-HANDSOME JOSEPH (6b)
-Same words used of his mother Rachel
-TEMPTATION TO SIN (7)
-Potiphar’s wife “cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”
-Would have been a great temptation for a young single man then, as it is now.
-JOSEPH’S REFUSAL (8-9)
-Joseph refused.
-Character of JosephàWhat a contract from his brother Judah and Judah’s sons
-Refusal stated
-It would be a betrayal of his master (8-9a) (Prov 24:28 ‘increases traitors among mankind’)
-It is WICKED and a sin against GOD (9b)
-Reframing of the action: WICKEDNESS.
-ULTIMATELY: against God.
APP: When tempted with sin,
-see both the personal betrayals,
-the real nature of it (WICKEDNESS)
-and that it is ultimately against God.
-This will help you in your fight against sin.
-THE TEMPTATION CONTINUES (10)
-Potiphar’s wife continued to tempt him “day after day”
-Some temptations are like this—enduring for weeks, months, years.
-But one day, all temptations will end, and we’ll see them for what they really are.
-A DRAMATIC MOMENT (11-12a)
-Alone in the house with Potiphar’s wife, and Joseph’s garment is seized and invited again to sin “lie with me!”
-Sometimes we have these moments too: Put to a decision—will we compromise, or stand fast?
-JOSEPH FLEES! (12b)
-Joseph runs out of the house.
-1 Cor 6:18 “flee sexual immorality”
-Sometimes, this is what you must do!
-UNJUST SUFFERING OF JOSEPH (13-20)
–Potiphar’s wife frames him and lies to the servants (13-15) and her husband (16-18)
-Potiphar is enraged and Joseph is put into prison (19-20)
-UNJUST SUFFERING of Joseph. He did what right and yet he suffered for it.
-OBSERVE: Doing what is right will not always make things easier, but often lead to new trials and suffering.
-Yet, it is better to do what is right and please the LORD, than to choose the path of sin.
-DON’T BE SURPRISED: when you do what is right and things get hard.
-UNJUST SUFFERING OF A GREATER JOESPH: 1 Peter 3:18-25
-Jesus endured suffering for you and me!
-See his love and grace.
–GOSPEL: We’ve been rescued to see it is better to know the LORD than have all the pleasures
and conveniences and comforts of this life without Him!
-THE LORD IS WITH JOSEPH IN THE PAIN (21-23)
–Notice: “the LORD was with Joseph” (21, 23)
-The LORD “showed him steadfast love”
-The LORD “gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison”
-“whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed”
APP: God is with his people in the painful times of life.
WISDOM:
-Just because your poor, or unsuccessful, or sufferings, does not mean that God is unhappy with you
-Christians suffer and go through great trials.
-God is with his people in the trials of life.
-He brings about pain for our good and His glory
FAITHFUL:
-Don’t lose heart in the painful situations, but keep focusing on Jesus
-Let your circumstances drive you to the Lord
JOYFUL:
-Remember: the best is yet to come.
-We are Pilgrims and exiles in this life.
-Keep clinging to the Lord—he is with his people in the pleasant times and painful times
-He will bring about His good purposes, in whatever situation you are in!
CLOSE: 2 Songs to that express his well.
-Isaac Watts, Gable Price. - “How vast the treasure we possess” by Isaac Watts
3 If peace and plenty crown my days, They help me, Lord, to speak thy praise;
If bread of sorrows be my food, Those sorrows work my lasting good.
4 I would not change my blest estate; For all the world calls good or great;
And while my faith can keep her hold, I envy not the sinner’s gold.
5 Father, I wait thy daily will; Thou shalt divide my portion still;
Grant me on earth what seems thee best, Till death and heav’n reveal the rest. - “One Bedroom Apartment” by Gable Price
I made my way to New York, By way of Indiana. Chasing greener pastures, Sloggin’ through the mud
Countin’ my blessings, Afflictions and affections. I walk through the valley. What should I want?
[Pre-Chorus]
Sometimes the mortgage ain’t feasible; That don’t mean my song will change
[Chorus]
As for me and my bargain, One bedroom apartment, We will serve the Lord
In the famine and harvest, I know where your heart is, We will serve the Lord.
In the panic or pressure, The Lord is my shepherd, In less and more
Through fire escapes or sliding doors,
We will serve the Lord, Lord. We will serve the Lord, Lord
