Genesis 39:1-20
Preached Sunday Evening January 23, 2011
Introduction:
The following are the lyrics from a very thought provoking song entitled “Slow Fade”
Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Marriages crumble, hearts break and lives are shattered because we as meek and frail sinful creatures, cave in to our sinful desires. Our lusts consume us and we are left reaping the awful fruit of our actions. Tonight we are going to study a man who determined to do right before he was faced with the chance to do wrong. May God help us learn from Joseph and incorporate these elements of a Godly character into our lives.
I. Faithfulness
A. Aided by the assurance that God was with him
Genesis 39:1–2 (AV)
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Genesis 39:21 (AV)
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Psalm 139:7–8 (AV)
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
1. With him at home
2. With him in the pit
3. With him in the slave train
4. With him in the slave market
5. With him in Potiphar’s house
6. With him in the King’s prison
B. Seen in every action Joseph did
Genesis 39:3 (AV)
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (AV)
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:22–24 (AV)
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
C. Earned a position of authority
Genesis 39:4–6 (AV)
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
1. Because of his track record
Luke 16:10–12 (AV)
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
2. Others benefited because of him
3. Joseph gained a place of great trust
II. Integrity
A. Joseph valued the trust he had earned
Genesis 39:7–8 (AV)
7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
B. Joseph knew the sin was against God
Genesis 39:9 (AV)
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
C. Joseph had already decided to do right
Genesis 39:10 (AV)
10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
Job 31:1 (AV)
1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Matthew 5:28 (AV)
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Proverbs 1:10 (AV)
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Proverbs 4:14–15 (AV)
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
1. Did not listen to her
2. Did not lie by her
3. Did not allow himself to be alone with her
Romans 13:14 (AV)
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
D. Joseph did not allow his flesh to take over
Genesis 39:11–12 (AV)
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (AV)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1. He was around 17 years old
2. He was taking care of business
3. He was alone with her
4. He fled
III. Does not look at circumstances to make moral judgments
A. Joseph was falsely accused to his co-workers
Genesis 39:13–15 (AV)
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
B. Joseph was falsely accused to his boss
Genesis 39:16–19 (AV)
16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
C. Joseph was falsely imprisoned by his boss
Genesis 39:20 (AV)
20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
è Even though his record was spotless