The Life of Joseph 6

The Test of Purity

Genesis 39:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Genesis 39:1–12 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. 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. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 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?” 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.

Joseph must have stood out because he was bought by Potiphar, the chief of police in Egypt, and selected Joseph to be his household administrator.

Genesis 39 occurred roughly 10 years after he became a slave, Joseph was about 27 years old.

The Test of Prosperity

Genesis 39:3-6

Genesis 39:3–6 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. 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. 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.

Nearly all the essentials of upward mobility were found in him.

Prominence

Potiphar was the chief executive officer to Pharaoh. His home would have been the core of diplomatic procedures.

Joseph was continually promoted within the house until he was over all.

The only thing Potiphar had to worry about was the government.

Position

Verse 4– Joseph was given control of the house.

Verse 5– Lord’s blessing was on all he touched

Verse 6– Potiphar put everything in his hands.

Potiphar did not know what Joseph was doing, but he knew he didn’t have to worry about it.

Power

He transacted business on Potiphar’s behalf.

He controlled the master’s estate.

He had the responsibility and authority for all important affairs.

Popularity

The Bible tells us that things began to change in Potiphar’s house almost as soon as Joseph arrived.

He was the guy who made things work so well around the house.

Physique

Verse 6

There are only a handful of people in Scripture pointed out for the good looks.

This was the characteristic that got him into serious trouble.

The Problem

The greatest test we face often has to do with prosperity, rather than adversity. Many of the great men in Scripture handled temptation well during the tough times but fell during the high point of their lives.

a. David fell into sin when he was at the height of his power.

b. Solomon made all the right choices early in life, then allowed his success to go to his head and began making all the wrong choices.

The Test of Purity

Genesis 39:7-12

Genesis 39:7–12 ESV

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

People tell us today the modern man is incapable of living above sin.

Everybody does what Joseph was tempted to do.

Joseph actually lived in a culture that was more corrupt than we do. He was surrounded by more temptation.

The Power of Temptation

It was a Surprise Temptation

Everything was going well, his master had all trust in him.

The last thing he expected was an influential woman craving sex with a slave boy.

It was a Sustained Temptation

There was not simply one proposition that could be brushed aside, the propositions came day after day.

Many who resist temptation at first will succumb in the end. Resistance can be broken down by persistence.

It was a Secret Temptation.

Nobody else needed to know. If she was to tell it would have meant her life.

The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is looking.

Joseph knew there was little chance of getting caught, and he still resisted.

It was a Sensible Temptation

Every sin offers some sort of rationality. We don’t succumb to sin because we think it will hurt us, but because we think it will be something good for us.

It would have been to his personal advantage to have cooperated with Mrs. Potiphar, since there was a possibility she could advance his career, and he was sure to incur her wrath if he refused.

It was a Subtle Temptation

The majority of men who fall into sexual sins don’t dive into sensuality as much as they are subtly drawn into a relationship.

If Joseph had craved loving admiration and devotion, he could easily have fallen into sin.

The Power over Temptation

There are several principles that were at work in Joseph’s life which allowed him to achieve victory.

Joseph had a conviction before he faced the crisis.

Joseph knew what he would do if he were ever faced with the temptation.

He was walking with God, ina perpetual state of preparedness.

Crises don’t make us what we are, they reveal what we already are.

This crisis didn’t make Joseph a pure man. He was already a pure man; the temptation simply revealed it.

Joseph Knew Love Involved Loyalty.

Joseph told her he was loyal to her husband.

Joseph understood that their sin wouldn’t just affect them, it would hurt her husband.

Sin always hurts other people.

Joseph had the sense to avoid the source.

Joseph stayed away from the beautiful woman. He “refused to be with her.”

If we’re going to have power over temptation, we have to avoid the source.

Joseph was still shocked by sin.

Our culture has become shock-proof.

We are bombarded with filth on TV and our culture and have received an acceptance of sin.

The very thought of what Mrs. Potiphar proposed was so far out of bounds for him that he immediately said no.

He would not rebel against the Ruler of the Universe.

To commit sin is to reject God, and Joseph was shocked by the concept of consciously choosing to do so.

Joseph knew Retreat was Better than Defeat.

She set a trap for Joseph– sent out all servants so they could be alone.

Joseph ran as fast as he could.

2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

It’s almost impossible to be victorious over the continual pressure of sexual temptation, so we’re called to run away from it as fast as possible.

CONCLUSION

Are you passing the purity tests in your life?