The LORD was with Joseph

You are the sovereign God of the universe. There is nowhere where you are not present, yet so often we struggle to see you. Where are you when life prosperous, and we have little needs? Where are you when we are tempted to sin? Where are you when we are falsely accused? I pray that you would unveil our eyes to see you in all of our circumstances and to seek the righteous responses to life that you have commanded of us. In Christ’s name and for His glory we pray. Amen.

Introduction/Context

Last week, we began looking into the life of Joseph. Joseph was a young man, an old boy by our standards about 17 years old, who through no wrong of his own, was sold into slavery because of the favoritism of his father and the cruelty of his brothers.

Do you remember what happened? Because of his dreams from God and the favoritism of his father, Joseph was disliked among all his brothers yet was sent out to find his brothers in the field of Schechem. Once arriving there, his brothers enacted a plan to get rid of him:

Genesis 37:20 ESV

20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”

Genesis 37:26–28 ESV

26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Genesis 37:31–33 ESV

31 Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” 33 And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.”

What would be your response if those were your circumstances? If your family hated you so much that they literally were about to feed you to lions, but thought “hey, let’s sell you for some cash instead” and then fake your death to hide the evidence from your father who helped cause their jealousy in the first place?

Some of you probably know the feeling though. What has been your response before? When your family or friends spurn you through no fault of your own or even when you have sinned against others. When the relationship is so strained because of a righteous conviction or because of such a prominent sin that it just snaps.

Where the Lord in those moments?

When you’ve made it to the top of your business or profession and have no financial need or burden, when your integrity and reliance on the LORD and His commands drove you to a place of prosperity? Where is God? Where is God when you’ve done nothing wrong yet are cast off like trash? Where is God in your temptation? Where, after earnest and prayerful examination with God’s Word in hand and others affirming your righteous moments, by nothing you have done wrong, you enter into the darkest pits of suffering, trial, temptation…where is God for the believer who is persecuted, hurt, and scared?

Where is the LORD When the Righteous Prosper?

Let’s start at the beginning: Where is the LORD When the Righteous Prosper? (repeat this)

We begin in a very different point than when we left off in chapter 37. Jacob is no longer in a pit, but is a slave. He’s not a slave to just anybody though. Let’s take a look at the first few verses of Genesis 39 again.

Genesis 39:1–5 ESV

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.

Joseph Prospers

There is no way outside of God’s providence that Joseph should be in this position. Moses, the author with God who wrote the book of Genesis makes sure we know that. When we read, “the LORD” in these verses and the following verses, Moses is using the personal name for God to tell us that God is personally involved in what is happening to Joseph in this ascension out of the pit.

Eye Doctor Illustration

A few years ago I went in to get my eyes checked for new reading glasses so, you know, I could read. The eye doctor was helping the clinic out for the day from another clinic in Wyoming. We got to talking and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him I fix furnaces and Air Conditioners. He asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to be a pastor and to work in ministry. I come to learn that this man also worked as a vocational counselor; he helped people figure out their professions on the side. This was what he told me:

We always aim for what we want to be, but that’s like crossing a river most times. You see the destination from across the shore, but you end up further down the river than when you first set out. Sometimes it’s closer to the destination, sometimes farther from the destination.

I think that’s the case with more than just vocation. We set out of our homes each day with an expressed purpose and intention. I’m willing to bet that is the same with Joseph. I doubt that he woke up one morning and thought, “what if my death is faked and I’m sold to be a slave so that I can be over a rich man’s home? I’d like to do that one day.” Doubtful.

We will all “cross the river” in some sense of the analogy, but God’s providence is what determines where we end up landing.

Potiphar’s House Prospers

Not only does Joseph prosper, but Potiphar prospers as well. The blessing given through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob extends to Joseph and the nation that blesses him. Remember the promise God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:3?

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

This is the same kind of prosperity that we saw given to Laban when Jacob was dwelling in his land as well back in Genesis 30:30.

Genesis 30:30 ESV

30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?”

Potiphar sees the LORD at work in Joseph’s life. He understands that the LORD is who causes whatever Joseph does to succeed.

Genesis 39:3 ESV

3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.

Joseph, because of no fault or wrong of his own becomes the head of this house in Egypt. He is righteous in Potiphar’s eyes and in the LORD’s. God is using Joseph to further His glory. Because the LORD is present with Joseph, Joseph prospers.

Application

The temptation we have in our prosperity is that we begin to believe the lie that we got here on our own initiative and hard work. That we manufactured our prosperity. It’s usually a subtle doubt of God’s handiwork, but eventually becomes so great that we don’t even recognize God. Our luxuries become necessities as a friend of mine once put it. The thing which we were stewards over, is now our master and we become enslaved to it. I can’t help but think of our smart phones reflecting our faces in its black mirror, but also in the content we store on it. Narcissus would have a field day if he could have gotten onto the internet.

How should the righteous man respond to his prosperity? Not by submitting himself to the slavery of luxury, but by stewarding all that he has been given with outstanding integrity and giving glory to God for all He has given. Consider the parable of the talents. In Matthew 25 when Jesus presents this parable a Master gives his servants money to invest, to steward. Eventually he comes to settle accounts with those much has been given to.

Matthew 25:19–21 ESV

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

This is what has happened with Joseph. He righteously handles what has been given by giving glory to God. Steward well what God has given you to enter into the “joy of your master.”

Where is God when the righteous prosper?

He is present, empowering the righteous to maintain their righteousness as they recognize and steward every good thing which comes from Him, while rejecting everything that does not.

Where is the LORD When the Righteous Resist Temptation?

It’s easier said than done though. There are still things that I wish I could change about myself.

If I could Change Myself…

If I could change things about myself when I was born I would. I would choose to have a lower voice, and a stronger build. I want to learn Aboriginal throat singing and I want to be able to pickup a car and move it when it encroaches on my parking space. I would change my name to something like “Brock,” which I assume is a combination of “brick” and “rock,” both things that are tough and masculine or whatever.

I’m not alone in things I wish I could change about myself from the beginning. We are what we are by God’s design. Here’s what the author says about Joseph.

Genesis 39:6 ESV

6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

“Handsome in form and appearance.” Maybe Joseph could move a car.

But the LORD knows what kind of attention Joseph’s form will bring. It brings desire which can easily be corrupted into temptation.

Where is the LORD When the Righteous Resist Temptation?

The Temptation

Genesis 39:7 ESV

7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”

She isn’t even asking Joseph. These three words in english is two in Hebrew. She is demanding that he lie with her. How does Joseph respond to this? He uses more than two words.

Joseph’s Response

Genesis 39:8–9 ESV

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Joseph has held every thought captive in this encounter. He knows the responsibility he has to care for everything that his master has given him, which is a lot. Everything, except for her. His righteousness compels him to respond honorably. He appeals to her relationship to Potiphar. She is his wife!

Then he appeals to the wickedness that this is. He knows what is right, and holds onto that thought. God is at the forefront of his mind as he both rebukes Potiphar’s wife and reminds himself of the righteousness that God demands of him.

It doesn’t hold her back though. God’s righteousness doesn’t matter to her, only Joseph.

Genesis 39:10–12 ESV

10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. 11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

The last time Joseph lost his tunic was when his death was faked by his brothers.

A false identity created from a bloody garment.

He loses another garment as he flees from her advances. He loses another garment when he resists temptation, and upholds his righteousness.

Genesis 39:13–18 ESV

13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

Another lost garment. Another false identity about Joseph is created. Joseph is now a dead man because of one stolen garment, who is also an attempted rapist because of another. One garment from Genesis 37 given to show his death, and another in this chapter to show his unrighteousness. Both times he loses his garments are opportunities for his person and character to be lied about.

Application

Where is the LORD When the Righteous Resist Temptation?

The righteous know when to flee from wickedness. Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 ESV

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Joseph knows that he belongs to God! In his righteousness, he knows that God is present and helping him hold every though captive.

Today we are so guilty of being distracted. So much of our thoughts are unexamined and unguarded. We say things like, “my mind is running wild,” or “I just can’t think straight.” Perhaps, it’s because we don’t regularly ask the question, “Should I be thinking this?” and answering that question with a profound “yes” or “no” based on the Word of God.

“Should I be in this relationship?”

“Should I hide my last relapse from my friends and family?”

“Should I send that chain letter email I know makes everyone uncomfortable?”

“Should I go and ask for forgiveness?”

“Should I go and forgive my friend?”

“Should I seek wise counsel in this area of temptation in my life?”

A good question answered based on a life saturated in the Word of God can be God’s nourishment for a righteous life.

Paul writes to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 ESV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Directly, we live in a world where pornography and sexual expression is our religion. It’s not just a game of the flesh either. It is another spiritual war of the mind and of the spirit. The righteous believer destroys the arguments that sexual expression is all that matters, and takes every thought captive to obey Christ.

Where is the LORD When the Righteous Resist Temptation?

He is present, empowering the righteous to maintain their righteousness as they recognize and steward every good thing which comes from Him, while rejecting everything that does not.

The LORD is Present When the Righteous Face Unjust Persecution

Potiphar is in trouble though. The man he placed over his household, a man who Potiphar previously saw as empowered by the LORD in his prosperity, is being accused by his wife. It doesn’t look good for him.

Genesis 39:17–19 ESV

17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” 19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled.

If I were Potiphar, my anger wouldn’t just be at Joseph. His wife is laying accusations at him too. She accuses Potiphar of allowing a Hebrew to oversee his house. She identifies herself with “us,” distinguishing the Hebrews and Egyptians. This is a racist tactic embellish her story.

Her accusation at the end reveals tension in her marriage that was likely there from the beginning. I can hear her saying this in my own mind, “This is the way YOUR servant treated ME.” Her story is not just a threat to Joseph, it’s a threat to Potiphar. Who hired this accused rapist? Potiphar. Who put him in charge of everything? Potiphar. Who now has to fix this mess? Potiphar.

Genesis 39:20 ESV

20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

Where is the LORD when the righteous face unjust persecution?

Joseph is falsely accused and the consequences of that accusation still apply. He still goes to prison! If there is any justice for Joseph, wouldn’t the LORD provide it?

Where is the LORD when the righteous face unjust persecution?

What do you think the consequence for attempted rape would have been at that time? Death. Prison, at the least, seems a step up from that.

But there’s more to the story than that.

Genesis 39:21 ESV

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

The LORD was with Joseph. He upheld his covenant love for him. He gave him favor.

Genesis 39:22–23 ESV

22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Where we stared our story with Joseph in a pit only to rise because of the LORD’s favor, we see him persecuted again, to fall into prison, only to rise because of the LORD’s favor.

Illustration

The Apostle Paul can identify with this. “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” So let’s not do that. Let’s put it in its context. Writing to the Philippian church, Paul is thankful to the church for their care for him during his own imprisonment.

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The Apostle Paul, imprisoned for his faith, understands what Joseph faced. He knows where the LORD is during unjust persecution.

Application

Where is the LORD when the righteous face unjust persecution?

He is with Joseph in prison. He is empowering him to sustain his righteousness for His glory. He enables him in all circumstances to prosper and succeed.

Where is the LORD when the righteous face unjust persecution?

He is present, empowering the righteous to maintain their righteousness as they recognize and steward every good thing which comes from Him, while rejecting everything that does not.

Conclusion

As we leave the story of Joseph this morning I’m reminded of Psalm 63. I realize that Dan read from that earlier this morning, but I can imagine this psalm reflecting the heart of Joseph in darker moments as he awaits God’s favor.

Psalm 63 ESV

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

It’s an easy question to answer in Sunday School: “Where is God?” Answer: “Everywhere.”

It’s a much more difficult question to answer when our righteousness is at stake. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s righteousness can’t hold a candle to Joseph’s righteousness and God still fulfills his promises to them. However, as we continue in the story of Joseph, we will see that the LORD uses Joseph to accomplish the salvation of Israel from a looming famine. God’s provision and promise is the end goal, and he uses the righteousness of Joseph as the vehicle to get there.

In a similar way, one only needs to turn to the life of the Savior of all mankind. Jesus Christ. Joseph is presented like Him in so many ways. The author never portrays Joseph to sin, as our LORD is sinless, he is tempted without sinning as our Lord is and persecuted.

Our Savior however, was persecuted to the point of death bearing the sins of mankind on His shoulders and still without sin.

Jesus, knowing what would happen to Him told his disciples this:

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prosperity, temptation, and persecution are all tests of our righteousness, but God is always with the righteous.

He is present, empowering the righteous to maintain their righteousness as they recognize and steward every good thing which comes from Him, while rejecting everything that does not.