Life of Joseph - Week 7 (2)

Joseph and the New Morality

Genesis 39:13-23

INTRODUCTION

Joseph is a contrast to the way most of us deal with problems.

Joseph relied upon truth to get through problems.

Modern philosophy doesn’t rely on truth but suggests situational ethics.

“Situational ethics”= mankind is put into situations and must internally choose for himself what is right or wrong in each situation, rather than relying on some external code of right and wrong like the Bible. This is called the New Morality

I. The New Morality

A. See copy of book page 82 and 83

II. The Old Morality

A. Joseph was a young man with convictions. He knew what he would do when faced with temptation.

1. New morality would probably have slept with Potiphar’s wife.

2. He refused the immoral solicitation and the events did not occur the way Joseph would have liked.– However, he maintains integrity.

3. If the end justified the means Joseph was wrong.

4. We do right because God has called us to do right, even if the consequences are difficult.

B. Genesis 39:13-20 “13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” 19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.”

1. Joseph did right and everything turned out wrong.

C. “Old morality” says that we do the right thing because God has called us to do right, regardless of the outcome.

1. We do right because we are told not because good will come.

2. Results- oriented versus command-oriented.

D. Joseph’s punishment did not fit the crime.

1. Should have been tortured and killed.

2. Potiphar would have been in charge of that and no one would have questioned him.

3. Potiphar must not have completely believed the story

a. Vs. 19 says he was mad but not who he was mad at.

4. Genesis 39:21-23 “21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”

a. Once again he rises to the top

E. Several Key Principles We Learn From Joseph

1. Prosperity Is Not a Matter of Circumstances, But a Matter of Character

a. Joseph was a slave yet the Bible says he was prosperous.

b. WE have this idea in America that prosperity is related to money and possessions, but prosperity in the eyes of God refers to character.

c. If we are in His will we have the assurance, all things work together for good.

d. If we could see every event exactly as God does, we would do things the very same way.

2. Perspective Come Comes From Seeing God in Every Situation

a. 5 times in chapter 39 we are told the Lord was with Joseph.

b. Everywhere he went, God was there.

c. One of the great joys of being a Christians is to know for certain that God is with us. Wherever we go, whatever circumstance we may be in, He is with us.

d. Contrast Joseph with Judah.

(1) God was with Joseph every step of the way, and Judah was on his own.

(2) Perspective comes when we can see God in every circumstance, when we know He is there, even though bad things are happening.

3. Present Problems Often Prepare Us for Future Positions

a. As overseer of Potiphar’s house and the prison he was prepared to become overseer of the entire country of Egypt.

b. Joseph may not have liked his training courses, but they prepared him for the position God had in mind.

c. Sometimes when people are young, they don’t understand the value of hard times.

(1) Wister– hard to understand why.

(2) It prepared me for later.

4. Righteousness is Not Always Immediately Rewarded

a. Joseph did right and got thrown in a pit for his trouble (obeying father)

b. He did right again and got thrown into prison.

c. Sometimes part of the preparation for greatness is the ability to refrain from bitterness when our righteousness goes unrewarded.

CONCLUSION

What a great testimony it is to the world, for us to do right and go unrewarded. If we can show them we’ve done right and still suffered, we illustrate to everyone the reality of our faith. It takes courage to do right and more courage not to whine about failing to get a reward. Joseph sets a great example for us follow, He did right, and he waited for God to bring the reward at the proper time.