STUDY ON THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

TRIUMPH OF FAITH
Gen 39:1-23

STUDY (4)

Rev (Dr) Paul Ferguson Calvary Tengah Bible Presbyterian Church Shalom Chapel, 345 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, Singapore 689485 August 2010

Overcoming Temptation (Genesis 39:1-23) Isaac Watts famously wrote in his hymn Amazing Grace that, through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. God appears silent in chapter 37 but He is at work and Joseph believes this. We see Joseph acknowledging God at work throughout the next thirteen long years (Gen. 39:9; 40:8; 41:16, 25; 45:5, 7-8; 50: 19-20; 50:24-25). Others may doubt under the trials of life, but Joseph keeps the Sovereign work of Divine providence at the forefront of his mind. I am sure that during this period he was baffled about how God was working His Sovereign plan out. We do not always understand what God has on His mind but we must believe He does. As the poet put it, ..standeth God within the shadow Keeping watch above His own. Although, we do not read of God speaking directly to Joseph in this chapter, repeatedly we are told in this chapter that, the Lord was with him. Josephs circumstances are going to change dramatically at times as he goes from Potiphars house to the dungeon, but Gods immutable presence never does. Superficially it appears that Josephs dreams can never be realized now, but God is at work. Gods plan for the life of Joseph can never be derailed. V1- Egypt was at the height of its world power and prestige when Joseph entered. It was also pagan, idolatrous, and grossly immoral. Providence brings him into the house of Potiphar. The purity and integrity of Joseph in chapter 39 of Genesis must be seen in sharp contrast to that of his brother Judah in chapter 38. V2 This is a dreadful reversal of fortune for Joseph from having servants to being one. These changes are phenomenal for a young teenager to deal with. However, Joseph would prove as faithful to God as a slave as he was wearing his coat of many colours. Adversity would not weaken his faith but strengthen it. Joseph could have sulked, been bitter, or plotted his revenge. Another temptation was to play dumb here in order to do the minimum to get by. Instead, he threw himself into the circumstances providence brought him into and must have mastered the language, culture, and duties. As Luther commented, he must have been the first up and the last to bed. Joseph believed in, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. If Joseph has to be a servant, he would be one to the glory of God. However, this is not a rags to riches tale as the secret is clear the Lord was with him.
2

V3 - We must not assume that these changes took place overnight he may have been 11 years in the house of Potiphar. God often blesses unbelievers because of the presence of the godly (Gen. 30:27). Luck had nothing to do with Josephs rise. Both Laban and Potiphar recognized this. Probably, Joseph witnessed to Potiphar through this, as his wife knew his origins (v14). This is part of being a good testimony as epistles seen and read of all men. Like Enoch, this young man walked with God and pleased God. Joseph is now favoured by God and by man. Life was about as good for him as a slave could have ever dreamed possible. This relatively happy and upward trajectory would not last. The devil had observed that bitterness, laziness, and power had not got to Joseph. Now, he tries an old temptation lust. Certainly, this incident delineates that this particular temptation is not novel to our age. There is not a believer that has not been tempted with wrong motivation, materially, over position, and sensually. V7 This handsome (v6b), winsome, and successful young man attracted the attention of an unwelcome source. Propserity and success always open up new temptations. Egyptian women were notoriously immoral and Potiphars wife lived up to the reported reputation. She was direct, insistent, shameless, scheming, and persistent in her pursuit of Joseph. He did not need to go looking for this temptation or trouble - she came looking for him. Often temptation comes when we are least expecting it. If we could plan them into our day, we probably could resist them easier. There are going to be two critical forces at work here in this temptation the inner attraction of the flesh and the outer bait of this woman. As Steve Cole observes, Joseph was a single man in his twenties, with the normal sex drive of any young man. He was a country boy in a sophisticated foreign capital, working in a home frequented by the rich and famous. He had no friends who shared his belief in God. As far as he knew, this tempting situation was private and would never be known to anyone else. He didnt know that his story would be recorded in the worlds most-read book. He was vulnerable! NATURE OF THIS TEMPTATION There were a number of factors that made this temptation particularly powerful: (1) Loneliness of Joseph his mother is dead, his brothers had betrayed him, his father may be dead, and he appears to have no believing friends to encourage him.
3

(2) Josephs youth and handsome appearance we can be flattered by attention. Sexual sin is rooted in pride. (3) Joseph had no Bible or seemingly no direct communication from God. (4) This was a natural desire and good in its right context - unlike a desire to commit murder. (5) Joseph is away from restraints of home. (6) Everyone around him is immoral. (7) Potiphars wife was probably very attractive. (8) She was his superior easy to persuade yourself that this is something you have to do as a slave. (9) Joseph has just been promoted for his diligence and wisdom. He could have been tempted to trust his own feelings on this when his defences are down. (10) Repetitious nature of this temptation. (11) Perfect opportunity as seemingly no one can see the devil always chooses the optimum moment to strike. Bob Deffinbaugh observes some parallels with the Genesis Fall, The temptation of Joseph is strikingly parallel to the test of Adam and Eve in the garden. They had free use of everything in the garden, save the fruit of one tree. So Joseph had access to anything of Potiphars except his wife. But while the forbidden fruit just hung there tempting Adam and Eve, Potiphars wife actively pursued Joseph. HOW JOSEPH RESPONDED Joseph wonderfully demonstrated how to be victorious over a temptation so powerful. Giving into it is not inevitable. We need to note carefully his response: (1) Joseph did not procrastinate he refused (v8). Dont flirt with sin. (2) Joseph called sin a sin and great wickedness. He did not dilute, rename, focus on the pleasure associated, or reason with sin (v9). As Cole says, Josephs resistance wasnt accidental or natural. He had made a previous commitment to moral purity and he had a strategy for resistance already in place. (3) Joseph recognised that sin was primarily against God (Psa. 51:6) and God saw everything (v9). We can reason that others deserve to be sinned against but never God. Despite dispensationalist claims, this also proves that Exodus 20:14 and Exodus 20:17 are eternal commands of God that precede the written Decalogue. (4) Joseph recognized that sin can affect others such as Potiphar (v9)
4

doubtless, he had witnessed to this man, which would make the discovery even more heinous. (5) Joseph confessed his faith to the one tempting him he faced down her boldness with righteous boldness. (6) Joseph kept himself busy in his God-ordained duties (v11). He avoided the place and person bringing this temptation. The sad story of Samson reminds us of what happens a man hangs around places of temptation. (7) Joseph fled place of temptation when faced with no other choice (v12) we need sometimes to be direct, even if we risk being impolite (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 10:13). This woman was the only one that he was not over in authority so he had no other option. Doubtless, he did not trust himself to always refuse by hanging round the place of immediate temptation. V10 She was persistent in her attempts to woo him. Doubtless, she was an experienced seductress. Men like Samson or David would have succumbed long before. V12 This evil woman was probably not used to being rejected. Doubtless, it made her more determined. Joseph fled in her final ambush when there was no other option. Someone commented that he did not flee from her, rather he fled from the old nature of Joseph. He lost his coat but he kept his character. You cannot yield to temptation when you are running in the opposite direction. We wonder whether it is possible to be morally pure in our polluted world the testimony of Joseph gives a resounding affirmative. He was a young and an unusual man who lived in the world but separate from the world. V13 Her supposed love for him proved to be only lust as it quickly turned to fury and murderous intent. Lust is often coupled with hate (2 Sam. 13:15). It reveals her real feelings for him. If she cannot destroy him morally, she will destroy him physically. V17 This woman even blames her husband for bringing Joseph into the house. The fact that she also does this before the servants (v14) may indicate bitterness towards Potiphar and the state of their marriage. V19 Her brazen approach may well indicate that she had indulged in this adultery before. It is notable that the servants do not appear to have joined in her accusations, so she may have been notorious for this. Indeed, her flirtations and rumours of her previous infidelities may have reached Potiphar, which may explain why he did not have Joseph killed. Potiphars
5

anger may be stemmed from the impossible situation he found himself in, which meant he lost his best and most trusted servant. Even if doubted Josephs guilt, appearances must be kept up. Potiphar on the horns of a dilemma must be seen to do something. He could not take the word of a servant over his wife, as it would be difficult for him. We read of no word of protest or bitterness by Joseph, as he was led away. He was humiliated at the beginning of the chapter and now he is again. The irony is that Joseph was branded with the stigma of a sin he had tried so hard to avoid. In the worlds terms he had made a great mistake and blown a golden opportunity, but in Gods eyes he was a success. V20 This was another dramatic reversal of fortunes for Joseph. He is worse off now than when the chapter begun. From the splendour and prestige of his position at Potiphars house to a dungeon. There was no welcome party there for him but fetters of iron and hardship (Psa. 105:18). What was going through his mind? We can only but imagine the fiery darts the devil hurled at him. Joseph had faithfully served the Lord when his brethren betrayed him and he had repeatedly honoured Gods Word by refusing temptation, yet now he was suffering for it. His brother Reuben had given in and was safe in the comforts of Canaan. However, his conscience was free in prison whereas if he had been unfaithful it would be imprisoned in despair and regret in Potiphars house. As Cole reminds us, Because the world is so polluted, you can expect to pay a price when you take a stand for purity. People will slander you. Theyll blame you for their sin. You could lose your job. Joseph had plenty of time sitting in prison to replay the scene and think about what he would do if he had the chance again. Satan always comes to you after youve done the right thing and suffered for it and whispers, See how your God takes care of you. Next time just give in and all this wont happen. The future seemed even more bleak now than when he was a slave. The taunts of his brothers may have rung in his ears, we shall see what will become of his dreams. However, Joseph is exactly where God wants him to be. The path from Potiphars house may seemed to lead to Pharaohs palace, but God ordered his steps not man. First he would go down to the bottom, so that he would truly know that it was God who had brought him up to sit on the throne of Egypt. V21- Surely Joseph prayed that the Lord would deliver him from Potiphars wife in here wearisome temptations. However, Joseph could never have guessed how God would have done this. His conduct here is equally if not more impressive than when he first entered Egypt. The key is Gods
6

presence with him. That was Josephs incalculable reward. We should note that the presence of God with him is not conditional on outwardly prosperous circumstances. This must have brought comfort to the Israelites just escaping slavery in Egypt, as they read this when Moses first wrote it down. The world and the devil cannot remove us from the loving providential care of Gods presence. Joseph lived with an awareness of Gods presence and would never exchange that for the transient pleasure of sin. Joseph may have been stripped of his dignity, position, material comforts but he has kept his character and testimony. V22 - Virtue is not instantly rewarded but he knew he must do right and leave the consequences to God. The presence of God and obedience to His revealed Will is more important to Joseph than knowing exactly where God is leading. True success is not what or where you are in this world, but whether God is with you. As Lawson says, Think not that the presence of God with His people is limited to palaces or to churches. It has been often manifestly seen that He was with them in prisons, in caves or dens, on gobbets, in fiery furnaces. Joseph continued to serve God and those around him without doubt or bitterness. Like Paul, he learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself in. Providence brought another unlikely channel of blessing to him a prison keeper (not generally known for being gracious). As a model prisoner, he must have attracted the attention of the keeper. Providence would also now bring Joseph into contact with a number of men closely connected with Pharaoh. He would, doubtless, learn much from them of court etiquette that would stand him in good stead for the future. It would also bring him into contact with a man who would introduce him to Pharaoh. Finally, it would also give Joseph an insight to injustice and the fate of the helpless in Egypt. This would be important as he would later rule over a time of great famine. V23 Although it is obvious to us reading this story that God is using these trials to refine Joseph and prepare him for future leadership, Joseph had not read Genesis 41 or the end of this story. He had no idea how long he would be in this prison. However, he believed that God is faithful, God is good, and God is wise. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, Any Christian who is unhappy because of suffering, or who is guilty of any of the things I have mentioned under my negative headings, is found in such a condition for one reason only, namely, that he has not been thinking clearly. The principle of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow (1 Pet. 1:11) is dramatically exemplified in the life of Joseph. Joseph did not deserve prison but he responded wonderfully (Job 13:15). Prison did not weaken him but like Jeremiah (Jer. 36:16-17) and Paul (Phil. 1:13-17) it
7

strengthened him.