Genesis 39:1-6 // The Light of the World (part 1)
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Joseph’s Blessed Life
Joseph’s Blessed Life
Joseph’s current situation:
Not chronological
Getting us up to speed on Joseph’s current situation.
Taken to Egypt
Potiphar
Officer of Pharaoh
Captain of the Guard
An Egyptian
Al this is to re-acclimate us to the situation Joseph was forced into in Chapter 37.
Sets us up for the intriguing nature of verse 2...
Paradox – “A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.”
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
Verse 2 is a paradox.
If you stopped at verse 2 one might conclude that Joseph must have gained his freedom. That why verse one is so important!!
But here is what we learn instead…
God’s idea of success and man’s idea of success are not the same.
God doesn’t need anything from “this world” in order for you to be successful.
(Therefore) We need to adjust our idea of being blessed by disconnecting it from worldly valuations.
If verse 2 challenges our idea of blessing toward the believer, then verses 3-6 challenges our idea of how God blessed the world around the believer.
Read Gen 39:3-6...Ask this question (while you read)
Who is receiving God’s blessing?
o Joseph is like the one described in Ps. 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
AS for Potiphar…the officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, the Egyptian….well...he is simply keen enough to realize it.
So (verse 4) Joseph got treated well by Potiphar.
What is the result of Joseph blessings from God?
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.
Verse 6: Potiphar doesn’t have to worry about anything!
“I don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Boys I got to tell you, I have had many slaves, but this one is the best purchase I’ve ever made.
“This one servant is worth any ten I’ve ever owned.”
How do you make sense of all of this?
From Joseph’s perspective…
Look to God’s promise given to Abraham. (Genesis 12:3)
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.”
Look a God’s promise fulfilled in Christ. (John 12:3)
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Look inward to God’s promise displayed in you. (Matthew 5:15)
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
How can both be true?
Jesus (the true light) is in you.
You, as Christians are bearers of that light.
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
You were once darkness
You are now light
Act like it!!!!