Joseph in Potiphars house Gen. 39

Introduction

Last week we brought into Josephs life as he was a 17 year old young man. He was his dads favorite child and everybody knew it and he had the coat to prove it.

Joseph had a couple dreams where his family would bow to the ground before him and it upset the brothers so much they couldn’t even have a conversation with him.

One day Joseph is sent to check on his brothers and the sheep they are watching and his brothers come up with a plan to get rid of Joseph, some wanted to kill him and blame a wild animal, but instead they sell him into slavery and tear his coat up and dip it in blood and they tell there dad that he was attacked by a wild animal.

Jacob tells his family he will go to his grave mourning the loss of Joseph.

This brings us to Josephs time in Egypt where he will find God continuing to bless him.

God’s sovereignty in Josephs life vs. 1

Remember Joseph was sold into slavery to the Ishmeelites, but the Ishmeelites sold him to Potiphar’s house, which is exactly what God had planned for Him.

Isn’t it amazing how God puts us in the right place at the right time? Over and over in the life of Joseph we will find him in the right place at the right time.

Sometimes we think of trials as something that occurs because we have done something wrong, such as Jonah fleeing from the presence of the Lord, but here we find Joseph in Egypt after doing nothing wrong.

Remember everything happens in our life, both the good and the bad, for our good and God’s glory with the ultimate goal of conforming us to the image of Christ.

The Lord was with Joseph vs. 2-6

Although Joseph is separated from his family in a new place, surely feeling all alone, we are reminded that the Lord was with Joseph. vs. 2

I don’t know if there is anyone feeling alone this morning, but let me remind you even if we feel all alone, God is with us.

Scott Pauley said this in his book “The Lord was with Joseph” “God’s presence in Joseph’s life was the same in Egypt as it was in Canaan. God is not bound by geography or circumstance

Joseph was a prosperous man

He lived in the house of His master the Egyptian (Potiphar)

It was so evident that the Lord was with Joseph that even his master saw it. vs. 3a

In verse three, we find that other people-even unbelievers- observed the presence of God in Joseph’s life. You don’t have to tell anyone when the Lord is with you; They will recognize it on their own.

Moses came off the mountain

Exodus 34:29 “29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.”

People could tell the disciples had been with Jesus

Acts 4:13 “13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

The greatest thing anyone can say about our life is that the Lord was with us.

His master saw that everything that Joseph touched prospered vs. 3b

Joseph found grace in the sight of his master vs. 4

He was made the overseer of the house

Everything the master had was in Josephs possession

Potiphar’s house was blessed because of God’s hand on Joseph’s life.

Everyone and everything in the house was blessed

His fields were blessed.

The master trusted Joseph so much the Bible tells us the master didn’t even know what all he had except the food that he ate.

The bible reiterates that Joseph was a goodly person and well favoured.

Josephs temptation vs. 7-18

Everything is going great in the house until one day Potiphar’s wife starts making eyes at Joseph

She tells Joseph to lie with her

Joseph refused and gave her valid reasons as to why he can’t

Potiphar has given me full access to the house, I know whats coming in and going out.

There is no one with greater authority in the house than him

The master has given me everything and held nothing back but his wife.

You’re my masters wife, how can I do this and sin against God.

Potiphar’s wife came day after day to tempt Joseph and every day he refused.

One day he goes into the house and all of the men are out and Potiphar’s wife grabs him by the garment and tells him to come lie with her.

He broke free, but left his garment behind, and fled from her

Potiphar’s wife took the garment and hid it until Potiphar came home and then lied about Joseph

She tells Potiphar that the Hebrew Servant that he brought in tried to make a move on her and she cried out, so he left his garment and fled.

Potiphar’s reaction vs. 19-20

I can imagine the anger that Potiphar had towards Joseph

It’s amazing how fast a false accusation can change Potiphar’s perception of Joseph.

Just a little while earlier Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph and everything that Joseph did prospered and put him in charge of everything, and now we will see his reaction

Potiphar took Joseph and put him in the prison where the kings prisoners were bound.

Psalm 105:17–18 “17 He sent a man before them, Even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in iron:”

They didn’t send Joseph to the low security jail, he was in the maximum security prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

The Lord was with Joseph vs. 21-23

In most peoples view of Christianity, we would never believe that the Lord was with Joseph. Most people believe the Christian life is all sunshine and rainbows, but if anyone knew that wasn’t true it was Joseph, but look what the Bible says in verse 21.

But the Lord was with Joseph

“By the time we find Joseph in verse 21, he was facing great difficulty, and yet God was still with him. Having Him with you does not mean your life is going to always be smooth; it means He is going to bring you through whatever you have to deal with in life. The Lord is with you.”

Even on our darkest day the Lord is with us.

God showed Joseph mercy in the prison

God gave him favour with the keeper of the prison

The keeper of the prison put him in charge of the prisoners

And then we see in verse 23 the final time in this chapter that the bible tells us the lord was with Jospeh.

Scott Pauley said this “The final reference in verse 23 uses the word “because” and teaches us that every good thing that came into Joseph’s life was due to the Lord’s presence. God is always the first cause. So many people are trying to make life better, to be somebody, to go somewhere. In Joseph’s experience, we are reminded that every good thing is brought to our lives by God. Nothing is too hard for God, but the difficulty often is getting out of God’s way so He can bring His best to us.”

Conclusion

“The greatest thing anyone could say about your life is that the Lord was with you. It is the best epitaph by which one could be remembered. It is the distinguishing characteristic of the blessed life.

Do you want to be blessed by the Lord? Remember, His blessing is not measured in material things; it is manifested in His presence. When you get the Blesser, you get the blessings.”