Joseph
Part 1
Read Genesis 39: 1-23
1-6
This chapter begins where
chapter 37 left off, with the sale of Joseph to the Ishmeelites, by his
brothers. Joseph is taken to Egypt to the hand of Potiphar, an officer of
Pharaoh’s guard. There he prospers in the house of Pharaoh. Not only that, but
the Egyptians are very much aware of his prosperity and God’s hand upon him.
Yet in all Joseph endured his demeanor remained stable and godly.
Egypt,
in Scripture, is usually a type of slavery to sin… a type of the world. If you
recall Joseph was of the lineage of Abraham and Isaac, the son of promise; as
Christians we live in a hostile world, a world of slavery to sin. I wonder if
the people we come in contact with everyday can see God’s hand of prosperity on
us. Is our light truly shining in this dark world, or is it hidden under a
bushel of hate, jealousy, anger, and all manner of evil.
This
world, like Joseph’s enslavement in Egypt is not our permanent residence; yes,
we abide here, but are we thriving or merely existing? Prosperity in God’s eyes
is not mere material goods; for
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.Rom.14:17. Obviously
Joseph, as a slave, had no rights to ownership of material goods, therefore
what his captors observed was his righteous demeanor and peace and joy in the
Spirit.
I
recently read that when Queen Elizabeth 2nd is abiding in London the
British flag flies above Buckingham Palace meaning that the queen is present
with her people. Joseph, while enduring hardships remained ever vigilant in
prison demonstrating presence with him even in dire circumstances. Do you and I
demonstrate God’s abiding presence in our lives despite harrowing
situations? Are your neighbors and
co-workers observing your godly demeanor or your boastful attitude of being
blessed? What are you and I like when the chips are down?
Joseph
found grace in the sight of his captors, not because of his great oratory
skills in preaching the “gospel” but in fleshing out the glory of the Living
God!
Josephs
prosperity was so great that he became master over everything in the Egyptian’s
house, so much so that the Egyptian prospered he was trusted beyond measure
with all in the house and fields. Yet Joseph knew his place; while prospering
under God’s grace, he knew and lived a righteous life.
From bad to worse
7-20
Reverse sexual
discrimination
Just
when things are looking up, tragedy strikes again, that’s the way life happens.
Thomas Jefferson said, “Peace is that time when everyone is reloading”! Joseph
needed to reload for another barrage is about to happen!
The wife of his Egyptian overlord has
ungodly inclinations toward Joseph, who refuses her numerous times.
Joseph reloads
Sexual perversion is very
serious in the eyes of the Living God, and Joseph is quite aware of it.
His defense: Joseph’s
integrity is on the line.
·
Sold into slavery by his brothers
·
Cast into an Egyptian prison
·
Elevated to overseer of his master’s house
and goods
·
Now attempted seduction by his master’s wife
Joseph refuses her advances
by starting his position of trust and reciting his allegiance to God Almighty.
Sometimes the enemy of our souls will push us to our very limits. However, she
does not take no for an answer. For several days she makes continual advances
toward him. But Joseph’s integrity holds fast! Finally she catches Joseph alone
in the house, makes a full assault on him, but he breaks away, leaving his
garment in her hands. She then calls for the guards, accusing him of trying to
seduce her; he’s thrown in prison and chained with the worst of the worst.
It would have been so much easier for
him to have given in to her…or would it? My friends, it’s so easy to give in to
the advances of the enemy and perhaps many of us have from time to time; but
our God is able to make a way of escape that we might be able to bear it 1
Cor.10:13, but what would be the end of caving in to the temptations?
Joseph becomes a standard for you and I in our times of temptation, his entire
life is a demonstration of godly living in adverse circumstances. Just because
we are God’s beloved does not mean we are without ungodly assault, to the
contrary we are to be on guard every day of our lives, leaning on the blessed
Word of the Living God.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. Not
to be negative; list a few of the adverse temptations you’ve faced as a
Christian.
2. Now,
with all honesty, how did you fare?
3. What
would or could you have done differently?
4. How
does Joseph’s life mirror yours?
5. Now,
reflect on the goodness and mercy God has had on your life.
6. Give
Him PRAISE!
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God, not to simply memorize Bible trivia.. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
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