“Where is God in the Difficult Times?”

INTRODUCTION.

Genesis 39:1–5 NASB95

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3 Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

Genesis 41:38–45 NASB95

38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40 “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. 43 He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt.

MESSAGE.

I. Joseph bought by Potiphar.

The LORD was with Joseph. Genesis 39:2

Genesis 39:2 NASB95

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.

Joseph found favor in the sight of Potiphar. Genesis 39:4

Genesis 39:4 NASB95

4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.

Joseph alone in Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:11.

Genesis 39:11 NASB95

11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside.

II. Joseph falsely thrown in to prison.

The LORD was with Joseph. Genesis 39:21

Genesis 39:21 NASB95

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

Joseph found favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Genesis 39:21.

Genesis 39:21 NASB95

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

III. Joseph forgotten about in prison.

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Joseph points the attention to God. Genesis 41:16.

Genesis 41:16 NASB95

16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Joseph finds favor in the eyes of Pharoah. Genesis 41:38-41.

Genesis 41:38–41 NASB95

38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40 “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

CONCLUSION.