God's Providence Provides Courage for Tomorrow Genesis 39-41

Proverbs 16:1–9 NIV

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:32–33 NIV

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:10–14 NIV

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Romans 8:22–30 NIV

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

God’s Providence Provides Courage for Tomorrow

Opening:

Smoke Signal

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small uninhabited island. He cried out to God to save him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a rough hut and put his few possessions in it. But then one day, after hunting for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; he was stung with grief.

Early the next day, though, a ship drew near the island and rescued him.

“How did you know I was here?” he asked the crew.

“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

Though it may not seem so now, your present difficulty may be instrumental to your future happiness.

John Yates, Falls Church, Virginia, quoted in Leadership, Winter Quarter, 1992, p. 57

When we are in the midst of tribulation, it is easy to despair over our circumstances. However, if we commit our way to God, we find He always has a plan. He is always working for our benefit and preparing us to benefit others. He is always present. He is always working for our better good. If only we could trust that, then we can feel peace and comfort in the midst of anything life throws at us.

Joseph’s story is evidence of exactly that. As we read about his life, it gives us encouragement for anything we could possibly face.

Stand as I read from today’s text, Genesis 39:1-5

Genesis 39:1–5 NIV

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Pray

Sermon Intro:

The account of Joseph’s life is great drama. The evidence is seen in the many plays, videos and television movies written about it. It contains violence, sexual drama, and ends with a sense of, “and they lived happily ever after.” Of course, the “happily ever after part” doesn’t really happen until Christ’s return. But it feels like it is there in this account.

When we left off last week, we had this great cliff hangar ending. Jacob is mourning the son he thinks has been killed. He declares he will mourn until he dies. Even as the chapter shares of Jacob’s despair we find Joseph being bought by Potiphar in Egypt.

We can kind of relate. There have been stories in our time of children who have disappeared and presumed possibly dead, only to be found years later. It always makes us heart sick for the years that the family lost being together and the horrendous experiences of the children.

Joseph lost everything he knew. A father who loved him dearly. Brothers, even though they did not get along so well, it still was a sense of protection for Joseph until the day they betrayed him. He had wealth and authority, but now he is the dregs of society. A slave in a land and culture far different from what he knew. These people do not serve God. They have many gods of their own.

Joseph doesn’t even speak their language. Everything around him and happening to him is foreign. I doubt that any of us can even begin to imagine the fear he must have felt.

Yet, even though we are not told as much. Somewhere, Joseph must have placed his trust in God. I am not talking a little trust, but all out submission and trust in God. This becomes evident as his life’s story progresses.

The first thing we notice is...

A. God Blesses His Faithful Servants Genesis 39:1-6a

Genesis 39:2 NIV

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.

Throughout these events, we are consistently told that “God was with Joseph.” This part becomes obvious, but not so obvious to us is the name of God used in this account. “The Lord” used here is Yahweh. This is the personal covenant name of God. No character within this story uses this personal name of God, not even Joseph. The narrator, Moses is given this name to use to signify that there is a special personal relationship happening here. Joseph has a personal relationship with God sealing God’s covenant promises in his life.

We are told that everything that Joseph put his hand to was successful because of God’s blessing. Now Potiphar knows a good thing when he sees it. So he promotes Joseph to be over the entire household and fields. All except what he eats.

Now, remember that Joseph was only 17 years old when he was sold. He would have had a bit of a learning curve. You know, learning the language and the culture within which he is working. Learning what is expected of him and so forth. It is hard to know how long he worked for Potiphar before Potiphar promoted him. I would think it would be long enough for Joseph to understand things around both the house and field.

If you are curious about his being in charge of everything except what Potiphar ate, well it has to do with the fact that he is still a Jew. The eating habits of the Egyptian were tied in with their gods. The food had to be prepared a certain way for this reason. So this detail was left to another Egyptian who understood these fine cultural details.

In time, things would begin to fall into a routine for Joseph. He would begin to settle in. I am sure he still really grieved the loss of his family and all he knew, but he was able to move on and begin to find some normalcy again. However, life never goes on smoothly forever. We know that don’t we? Just about the time things begin feeling really good we face...

B. Trials that Test Our Faith Genesis 39:6b-18

Genesis 39:6b-7

Genesis 39:6b (NIV)

... Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,

Genesis 39:7 NIV

and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

Joseph was perhaps young enough when he began in his duties, that he did not attract the wife’s notice, but now he has matured and his physique has filled in. They lady has lots of servants taking care of things, the husband is busy with Pharaoh’s affairs (pun not intended!) :-). So the mistress of the house has too much time on her hands. She is probably spoiled and used to getting what she wants. Now she has decided she wants Joseph!

I want to pause her a moment and step back a second. I previously skipped chapter 38 of Genesis. I may include it at the end of this series, but it is worth mentioning here, as it shows the difference between Joseph and his brothers. You see, in chapter 38, Judah, sometime after informing his father of Joseph’s disappearance (alleged death, if you will), heads out of town. He takes a Canaanite wife who then gives birth to 3 obnoxious sons. Two of which are so wicked God kills them. Judah finds his firstborn son, Er, a wife named Tamar, but Tamar becomes an early widow due to Er’s sinful demise. By custom, Tamar is given to Er’s brother Onan, to provide children for his brother Er since they had not had any before he died. This provided for the mother in the future and kept the family name going. However, Onan was no better than his brother Er and God killed him also. Judah promised his last son to Tamar when he was older and sent her back to her father. Over time, it became evident that Judah had no intent to fulfill his promise, so Tamar dresses like a prostitute and sits in a location she knows Judah (who is grieving the loss of his wife) will be traveling. The end result. Judah solicits the prostitute and produces an heir through is daughter-in-law Tamar. Of course, there is more to the story, but the point I want to make here is that in chapter 38 Judah’s morals are sadly lacking and he gives into his lust to sleep with what the believes is a prostitute. He suffers nothing more than a humbling and embarrassing moment.

However, Joseph resists the temptation and yes, it would be a temptation. He has been betrayed by his family. He is in a foreign culture alone. He lost his mother at an early age. The attention of a woman would probably be gratifying to a young man who is of an age when his hormones are heightened anyway. It would have been so easy to rationalize the situation. I am sure that Joseph was not her first dalliance and Joseph may have known that and could have said, well it isn’t like someone hasn’t taken advantage before. But Joseph did not. But the lady persisted and Joseph held his ground.

It is strangely suspicious that he enters one day to find all the servants gone. I do not know about you, but I smell a rat! I suspect this was a set up. Well, Joseph would have none of it. It is easy to guess the tussle that ensued. Her snaking her arms around him and him struggling to leave. She snags his coat and voila’! The rest is history. He was innocent, but she made a fuss and held up his cloak as evidence of assault.

You know...

C. Sometimes it Feels Like the Enemy Wins Genesis 39:19-20a

Genesis 39:19–20 (NIV)

When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined...

Think about it a moment. Judah did the wicked thing by sleeping with a prostitute. It feels like his punishment is a slap on the wrist. Now Joseph is honorable and is thrown in prison. It is an age old concern. There are many scriptures on this subject. Even Job commented on it.

Job 12:6 ESV

The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand.

Well, we need not concern ourselves with those. For God also supplies the answer to their prosperity.

Psalm 37:7–9 NIV

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Joseph apparently did just that. Because the next thing we find is that he prospers even in prison. Here we see that...

D. The Faithful Hold Firmly to Hope Genesis 39:20b-23

Genesis 39:20–23 (NIV)

...But while Joseph was there in the prison,

the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Joseph had every reason to feel sorry for himself and to pine for what could have been…But Joseph didn’t. Why? Because Joseph had hope. Joseph’s hope was grounded in God’s word. God had given Joseph a vision of what was in his future and Joseph clung to that word.

(Slide) Joseph believed God and took God at His Word.

Now, let me tell you something. If you believe that Joseph just went about his business and God just did these things for Joseph out of the goodness of his heart, I think you should take a closer look. Joseph committed his life to God. He wasn’t serving himself in these situations, but he was serving God, trusting that God had a plan for his life and God would see it through.

We see evidence of this in his response to Potiphar’s wife.

Genesis 39:9 NIV

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Joseph knew that the greatest offense of sin is against God. All sin is an offense against God. If only we would grasp the significance of that. Our life was of God’s creating and our eternal life is also dependent on Him. Our very soul’s were created to be in sync with God. When we offend God, it is like cutting off our right arm. We push away the thing that is most critical to our very being.

W. S. Plumer said, “We never see sin aright until we see it as against God...All sin is against God in this sense: that it is His law that is broken, His authority that is despised, His government that is set at naught...Pharaoh and Balaam, Saul and Judas each said, ‘I have sinned’; but the returning prodigal said, ‘I have sinned against heaven and before thee’; and David said, ‘Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned.’”

Joseph understood this and has full out committed his way to God. He held nothing back. In all he did, he kept his sights on God and God’s direction.

This is especially evident as Joseph serves God in prison. Here we see that...

E. The Faithful Trust God’s Word Genesis 40:1-8

Joseph as been humbled, elevated, abused, and is now in prison for something he didn’t do. As bad as that seems, it beats the alternative. Potiphar must have had some doubt about Joseph’s guilt because the actual offense called for death. However, once again in this dungeon, Joseph proves he believes God’s word. It is difficult to know how long he was in prison, but one day, two of Pharaoh’s servants are thrown in with him. Now, remember, Potiphar was Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. He oversees Pharaoh’s prisoners. Joseph is in the highest prison of the land if you will. And we see Potiphar is still putting Joseph in charge as he places these men in Joseph’s charge.

Genesis 40:1–4 (NIV)

Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt.

Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker,

and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.

The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them...

After a time, both these men have dreams. Joseph notices one day that they seem dejected and when he inquires about the issue, they share that they have had a dream. Joseph gives an incredible response that shows that he still believes in the dream he had.

Genesis 40:8 (NIV)

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

After all that has happened to Joseph, he still believes in dreams. That means, he still believes in the dream he had. All these years, he has clung to that dream, not because there is hope in dreams, but because there is hope in the God who gave the dream.

Now, if you thought I was going to share the two men’s dreams, you were wrong. We do not have time for that today. If you haven’t read the story, I suggest you do so. But you need to know this. Joseph interprets both dreams and both interpretations come to pass. Which brings me to my next point.

F. God Provides Encouragement in Times of Waiting Genesis 40:9-22

Joseph is human. He is not perfect. He made some mistakes as a young man. He even sinned as a young man (remember the fib to daddy regarding his brother’s behavior?)

I am sure that Joseph made mistakes even while working under Potiphar. I am sure there were times he questioned God. I am sure there were times when he wondered if he had misunderstood. But he believed God and he held on. Now, here in prison, God gives him an opportunity to hear the dreams of two other people and interpret them. When their dreams are fulfilled in the manner he had said, I am sure it was just as exciting to him as it was for, well at least one of them. However, it helps encourage him that he is not crazy.

However, it will be another 2 years before he finds his own dream being fulfilled. In fact, his dream is fulfilled because he interprets the dreams of another person. We will go into that more next week, but I want to make a couple final observation by looking ahead.

Pharaoh has a dream. No one is able to interpret it, but the cupbearer whose dream Joseph had interpreted and was returned to his job, remembers Joseph. Joseph cleans up and goes before the Pharaoh. Here we see another important point in this event.

G. The Faithful always Acknowledge God Genesis 41:1-40

Genesis 41:15–16 NIV

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

It would be pretty heady stuff to come face to face with Pharaoh after all he has been through. Most folks would want to impress the Pharaoh with how wise they are, but Joseph humbly commends the task to God.

Joseph then interprets Pharaoh’s dreams. In bold confidence he gives Pharaoh both good news and bad news.

Hey Pharaoh, I have some great news for you. Your land will yield greatly these next 7 years, however, I also have bad news. The following 7 years will not yield and there will be a natural disaster the likes you have never seen before.

Now, look carefully at what happens next. Joseph has spent the last 13 years working his way up in Potiphar’s household, fields, and in prison. During these years, tough as they have been, God has been grooming Joseph’s skills to be able to do the things needed to run a nation.

Joseph in full confidence of the interpretation and from his past experiences, he sees what needs to be done.

And here is the final point I wish to make for today.

H. God Grooms Us in the Difficult Days to Prepare Us For the Future Genesis 41:41-57

Genesis 41:32–36 NIV

The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Well, Pharaoh could tell Joe was the man for the job. So, he hired him right then and there. From that day forward, Joseph was head over all except the Pharaoh. In fact, the Pharaoh really seems to look upon Joseph almost like a son.

Of course, the story doesn’t end there. Remember, the dream was that his family would bow before him. However, the most unbelievable part of the events has unfolded. The rest is a no brainer. It was only a matter of time when the famine would come and Joseph was probably on pins and needles watching for the day his family would arrive.

However, there is so much more to Joseph’s journey that we should take note of. First, God always uses us to benefit others. What God does in and through us is never for us alone.

Second, God does not groom us only for our life here and now, but for the eternity to come. God is shaping you even now for that life also.

Conclusion:

There is so much to harvest from Joseph’s life. There are only a few lives that are given in such detail. But we need to understand that Joseph gives an example and encouragement to us and our lives.

First, I do not want you to walk away thinking that all your troubles will lead to wonderful things. There is a key detail in Joseph’s life that unlocks the mystery why some people have such great endings and others do not. It is the fact that Joseph committed all to God, but in order for that to happen, he literally had to lose everything.

Remember the rich young ruler that came seeking Jesus? He wanted to know what he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus pointed to the law and he confidently stated he had obeyed them all. Then Jesus took it further.

Mark 10:21–22 NIV

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

If you are not willing to surrender it all, do not expect God to turn your thistles into roses.

God has blessed me tremendously, but know one except God witnessed me on my knees crying out and offering God everything, even my death. No one has walked in my shoes and the many things I have faced alone. Years in a job a hated, but felt God calling me to stay there. Years away from family serving God’s purpose. My favorite verse as always been Psalm 27:4

Psalm 27:4 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

I can relate to Joseph, because I have been there.

What about you? Are you willing to surrender it all? When the day comes and you are told that you have to give allegiance to a new world order and receive a mark on your hand or forehead in order to buy food, will you refuse and trust God? Or will you buckle and take the easier road?

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Isaiah 35:8 NIV

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

The signs of the times are all around us. If we are to make it, we must commit our way to God now. The days ahead call us to a deeper level of living. A deeper level of discipline. A deeper level of loss. So before you leave here today, I urge you. Have you considered the cost and committed it all? If not, don’t wait. Do so today. The altar is open. I am going to give a moment of silence for reflection and in case anyone chooses to come to the altar. Then I will close us in prayer.

Pray