Genesis 39:1 takes us back to Joseph. He has obviously been there some time since the previous events have taken place, but I would estimate that it started when he still no more than 17 years old. That phrase comes again – (v2) “The LORD was with Joseph” How vital it is that He is with us every step of the way.
Joseph was a prosperous man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. It is suggested that he was in Potiphar’s service for 10 years. v2-6 Show how prosperous he was – so much so that Potiphar, who was obviously a shrewd, watchful, careful, even caring man, noticed Joseph’s ability and wisdom, and promoted him to chief servant. He could safely leave everything in Joseph’s hands (v5) God blessed Potiphar for Joseph’s sake) [remember Laban said that of Jacob Genesis 30:27]. In fact, v6 says that “Potiphar didn’t know what he was worth save that he had enough food to eat.” Joseph was ‘a goodly person’ – totally reliable, honest, wise and careful. In some ways different now – before, he was all these things but tactless and proud in the way he ‘strutted about’ in his special coat and relating his exalted future position.
Lesson: we must be totally reliable, honest, wise and careful in our dealings. Not only when others, particularly our boss is watching but even when we are alone. For remember God sees at all times.
I guess by now humbled by his experience of how God has preserved his life from the hands of his brothers. God was teaching him lessons in the school of life. At the same time, he still must have been wondering what was happening to him – why am I down here in Egypt? Away from my family who God has told me will eventually bow down to me. He surely couldn’t see how his dreams were going to come to pass in Egypt. If anyone had reason to ask – Why me, LORD? Why should this happen to me? How can it be? You promised so much and yet you’ve put me through all this? Joseph had.
We often ask these types of questions do we not? God is with us if we are His – that is the secret for the Christian who is truly surrendered to Him, I know it is easy for us to see afterwards when things have worked out, but we need to trust Him all the time even when the way seems dark and things are not working out well.
I’m sure all of us have been through times of lows and wondered why we have not had the best as it would appear to us at the time.
With Joseph it seemed strange, but worse was to come yet. Prospering? Really? – What does it mean? Being in the centre of God’s will is vital – are we all fully surrendered to Him whatever befalls us, are we going to trust Him? No promotion at work, difficult times, family problems, can’t make ends meet financially, sickness, even death.
Remember v2 “The LORD was with Joseph” This is the vital thing; God has promised never to leave us… (If we are His), but it is necessary for us to be ‘goodly persons’ in it all. (v6) as it was said of Joseph. God can work without our co-operation, but I do believe that we have a responsibility – we can avoid evil; we can avoid the consequences of sin – in fact, I believe God wants us that way. He wants us to be pure and holy – it is essential that we are. Prosperity is not due to circumstances but to character, and character in turn depends upon our faithfulness to God. And ‘prosperity’ in God’s eyes is not the same as the prosperity we or the world usually think of.
I’m sure that Joseph had learned from the lessons he had had – being hated, to the point of death, being sold by his brothers to get rid of him.
However much we know that God is with us we do not like to ‘go through the mill’.
God was prospering him here in Egypt, but he must still be asking the question ‘why?’ ‘What am I doing here? Joseph’s reaction must have initially been absolute despair. Again, I’m quite sure he didn’t shout ‘Praise The LORD, this is marvellous because it is the highway of God’s guidance for me.’ (Derick Bingham)
I remember our late friend Joe Rowley, former missionary to Brazil, telling us of people who took it as God’s guidance to go to Brazil by someone giving them a Brazil nut bar, he jokingly went on – I don’t know what they would have done with a Mars bar!
The dreams would, no doubt, be going through his mind – but surely not this way, how is God going to sort out this mess? At this point in time, does Joseph really believe that all things work together for good?” or is it only afterwards when things move on a little that he realises it? ‘No pit of suffering ever seems to us to be the place of blessing.’ (Derick Bingham)
But worse is to come!
v6 Joseph was “weII-favoured”. I guess this means he was very handsome, very good looking.
v7 Potiphar’s wife fancied him and invited Joseph into bed with her. An invitation often made today. Sometimes by words, by looks or by actions.
Sexual attraction is very powerful – sensuality and pornography abound, the page 3 newspapers sell for that purpose, filthy programmes, films, jokes, sitcoms etc. are numberless. Sex is thrown at us from all sides. Temptation is very great, to non-Christians and Christians alike. And sadly, many fall into it, including Christians. We are warned in scripture not to put ourselves in the way of temptation — “FIee youthful lusts, worldly lusts” etc.
Again, I quote the late Derick Bingham whom I heard preaching – “Ladies, dress attractively, but NOT seductively. lt is hard enough these days for us men to keep our minds pure and clean with all the filth that is around us. Adverts often include nude or scantily dressed females, films, books etc. are bad enough. Dear sisters, you can help us by being careful – please, please look attractive, but please, please, please do not dress to seduce, whether intentionally or not.
Oh, and by the way, fellows we can look a lot smarter too! We are not all very handsome! But we can look decent as well as relaxed. I’m not suggesting that we strut around our churches like Ascot, (that has done enough damage) but we ought to create a good impression to the world and not look like a group of hippies, as though we are squatters in God’s house. We are not upper class or lower class or even middle class – we are “New creations”. Paul urges us to “Do ALL to the glory of God” and l believe that includes how we dress.”
Now l don’t know how Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but she certainly asked him to go to bed with her. To Joseph’s credit he refused. We must say “NO” to the seductions that the world offers. You say, “it’s hard” of course it is, but the Bible tells us how – Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. These are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. “
Also 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you such as is common to man, But God is faithful and with the temptation will provide a way of escape.”
We are living in an age of compromise – in commerce, in politics, even in religion. lt is a sad state of affairs wherever it is found, but nowhere so sad as in matters of faith. Throughout the Scriptures we have instances of this but equally we have God’s message through His people that with God there is no compromise, and so with God’s people. The world encourages us to see how much we can get away with, but that is not the message of God’s Word.
Hebrews 11:25 says “Moses chose rather to suffer affliction …….. than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” Worldly pleasures are fun, but they don’t last – they are followed by guilt, pain, emptiness and regret. But those who choose as Moses did (and Joshua, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego etc. to name but a few) and Joseph to forego the “Passing pleasures” of sin, find lasting joy, they discover the satisfaction that comes from pleasing God.
39:8 Despite the temptation, Joseph refused, and he told her why – he was faithful to his master (Potiphar) “He has given me complete freedom and control over his household – it would be a betrayal of that trust if l lay with his wife.”
How important it is that we can be trusted — don’t betray your trust, don’t take advantage of your freedom. Freedom is not license to do as we please. “He has given me everything in this house, but you are his wife” (v9) — thus you are not included in the gift. Notice that he regards it as not only a sin against Potiphar, BUT ALSO AGAINST GOD.
v10 Notice Joseph’s reaction to her advances — surely a lesson for us all: – “As she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he ignored her, to lie by her; or to be with her.” She was persistent “day by day” “He didn’t listen to her” Not only did he turn a blind eye, but a deaf ear. Surely, we would be more effective in our Christian lives if we refused to listen to the enticements of the evil one. It reached a stage where he was in danger to be alone in her company, even in the house. He wasn’t where he shouldn’t have been, he was there legitimately, he was working there for her husband Potiphar.
Unfortunately, there was one occasion when it couldn’t be avoided (v11) He went into the house in the course of his job — no other men of the house were with him. Some have suggested that she engineered it.
v12 “She caught him by his garment” He fled leaving his garment in her hand. He got as far away as possible. We must flee from the devil — in fact, we are told that if “we resist the devil; he will flee from us” (James 4v7). ls this a contradiction? No — there are certain temptations which we only resist by facing them and meeting them head on, as it were — Ephesians 6v13 “take the whole armour of God ……… be able to withstand …. “. But this kind – there is only thing to do — FLEE. Flight is the only safety from certain temptations. 2 Timothy 2v22 “Flee youthful lusts” 1 Thessalonians. 5v22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil”
The way to meet temptation (W.H. Griffith Thomas) (series on Genesis written in the early 1900’s.)
“He refused (v8) There was his power! It was a definite act of his will. He was conscious of his duty to his master who trusted and honoured him. He told her plainly that she, his master’s wife, was the one and only exception to his full sway and power in Potiphar’s house”. v9 “He has kept nothing back from me but thee.”
The perfect faith of the master in Joseph called for the perfect faithfulness of the servant. Gratitude, trust, honour devotion to such a master demanded, and should have, the uttermost integrity of which he was capable. So it should be with us today.
But above and beyond all this, duty to God reigned supreme. To him God was first. He could not and therefore would not, commit this great wickedness and sin against God.
We need not suppose that Joseph was a man of such nature and circumstances to be immune from this gross peril – not just a ‘one off’ temptation but a continued one.
Griffiths Thomas goes on to say that “ln duty Joseph was loyal, in temptation he was strong, and in prison he was faithful. When this spirit actuates our life, difficulties become means of grace and steppingstones to higher things. On the other hand, if difficulties are met in a fretful, murmuring, complaining, disheartened spirit, not only do we lose the blessings that would otherwise come through them, but our spiritual life suffers untold injury, and we are weakened for the next encounter of temptation whenever it comes. There is scarcely anything in the Christian life which reveals more thoroughly what our Christianity is worth than the way we meet difficulties by the use of the grace of God.”
“God will bring forth his righteousness as the light and His just dealings as the noonday.” The very troubles that seem to overwhelm will prove to be blessings in disguise, and before long the Divine Justification of His servant’s faithfulness will be seen and manifested to all men. Evil may have its temporary victories, but they are only temporary. Good and right and truth must prevail, and it is for the Servants of God to wait quietly, to go forward humbly, to live faithfully, and to trust boldly until God shall justify them by His Divine interposition and glorify His grace in their lives”.
Lesson: Be careful where you go and who you go with, you might have to leave your cloak behind and leave in a hurry. Your cloak could become your false accusation.
Ask yourself— “Can I go with a clear conscience? Can I leave with no worries what will be said about me when I’ve left?”
Joseph was innocent but he was sent to prison – you may say, Ah! This was God’s will. True, but nevertheless the lesson is there – Joseph couldn’t avoid it – there may be situations that you and I cannot avoid, but that’s not always the case. Mark carefully what you do and where you go and who you go with.
Potiphar’s wife’s ‘love’ turned to hate when she was denied. She uses the garment Joseph left in his haste to escape, as evidence of his guilt. First to the servants (v14) then to her husband (v17, 18). It is apparent from v14 that she didn’t have a very good relationship with her husband – She lied to both the servants and husband – sin always does. Never trust the enemy.
From Palace to Prison.
Potiphar should have put Joseph to death, but maybe he didn’t believe his wife, so he had him put into prison. Potiphar’s job was to oversee prisoners.
Silence when accused. Notice Joseph does not answer his accusation – he could quite easily have replied most vociferously with his side of the story and quite probably Potiphar would have believed him but that could have caused a rift in Potiphar’s marriage. Joseph was not prepared to do that to save his own skin. Joseph’s silence is remarkable – it is only explained by those words which appear four times in this chapter “The LORD was with Joseph. “ (v2, 3, 21, 23.)
This is a vivid picture story of how we should behave when faced with temptation of this kind. We need not sin, we can be pure, we shall be victorious, if only we will face our foe in the same spirit and power that Joseph did. Even in prison Joseph’s character is unchanged. He is absolutely reliable (v22, 23). The Keeper of the prison had the same confidence and trust in Joseph as Potiphar had. He put him in charge of all the prisoners and made him responsible for all that was done. (v22, 23) When Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker were thrown into prison, Joseph was assigned to them.
Lesson: This shows clearly how our work should be – it didn’t need checking, no need to keep tabs on him – absolutely trustworthy. We may not always be put in charge or promoted but should always be trusted.
