Gen 39- How to Fight Temptation

After the sordid story of Judah, the narrative now returns to Joseph. The rest of the Genesis is centered upon him. Chapter 37 ended with a mention of Joseph being sold to Ishmaelites by his brothers. The life of Joseph is fascinating to study, as it allows us a glimpse into the ministry of Jesus. As you see, Joseph is a type of Jesus. There are as many as 90 similarities between the 2, and we will be looking at each one as we go through the rest of the Genesis.
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

Joseph was seventeen years old when he entered Egypt. Potipher, to whom the Joseph was sold, was a captain of Pharoah’s bodyguard. He saw something useful in Joseph. Being an officer, he was probably a “eunuch” as it was required to be castrated if you were going to be an officer in the kingdom. Having said this, it is fascinating that Joseph did not have to follow this custom when he became an officer.
2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did [a]to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put [b]under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s [c]hand, and he did not know what he had except for the [d]bread which he ate.

Why is Joseph referred to as a successful man? He was a slave. Not too many of us would want to be in his sandals at this time. He certainly was not successful as we define it today. Our definition of a successful person & church is entirely different. To us, Potipher is a successful guy, but God’s definition differs from ours. This is what it says in 1 Timothy 6:, 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. Joseph was content where he was. Yes, he was in a bit of pickle. Yes, his brothers had sold him, and now he was in a foreign land living as a slave, but he knew Lord was with him. IS THE LORD WITH YOU? Start appreciating and thanking God for what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t have. Satan always discourages us by drawing our attention to our failure and the things we lack, but like Joseph, we need to learn to be content. By the way, this is something that you have to learn. Paul, the great apostle, had to learn to be content. In Philippians 4: 11 Paul say so, 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Joseph was a highly intelligent and likable young man, and Potipher soon recognized his abilities, placing more and more responsibility on Joseph. Lord prospered his work and Potiphar was blessed. What do we learn from this? What kind of attitude do you have at work? Do you like your boss? Is your situation as bad as Josephs? We as believers can provide a great witness at our work by our attitude. Even the unbelieving employers who follow pagan gods recognize that Christians makes the best employees. Honesty, integrity, faithfulness and similar characteristics are desired by employees, and these qualities are the fruits of Christian faith. As it was in the case of Joseph, we have an opportunity to give a word of testimony to our “boss” & “co-workers” as to the real source of the blessings. Despite being in chains, Joseph worked with fear of God and became a right-hand man for Potipher. Are you working like that? Colossians 3:17 says 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. If we work like Joseph, your workplace will be blessed merely because you are there. Many of us would complain in Joseph’s place and say, God, I have abilities, I am smart, handsome and talented and all of it, is being wasted away because I am just a slave. Joseph did not focus on what he lacked but made the best of the situation at hand. STOP, living in what if’s. If the Lord is with you as he was with Joseph, in your time, you will be a prince if that is the plan God has for you.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.7, And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife [e]cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

Throughout the scripture, we read about “The fear Of Lord.” Joseph illustrates it for us here in action. Joseph was growing & active young man. He was alone, totally cut off from the family. The constant advances from the wife must have been flattering and tempting. Her husband was not around nor were there any servants. As the wife of a high place officer, she must have been attractive and was eagerly available. Such sexual behavior was common in such circumstances as she was married to a “eunuch.” In his own family, Joseph had witnessed the loose moral standards of his brothers. How easy it would have been for Joseph to justify accepting Mrs. Potiphar’s invitation. But with Joseph, there was one standard which was above all others. He knew that such actions were contrary to God’s word. Look at what Joseph says to the wife. He does not say because of what your husband has done for me, I can not betray him nor does he say, how can I sin against you? No, instead he says, “How can I sin against God?” Ultimately, this is the standard we need to live by. King David writes the same thing in that marvelous Psalm of repentance after he committed the adultery with Beersheba. Psalm 51: 4 “Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— we need to be in constant awareness of the presence of God. It is not about who is going to find out about your sin but rather be always remembering “God would Know.” Proverbs 15: 3 tells us “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” As strong as the temptation might have been, Joseph refused her invitation. He did not try to counsel her. He did not try to advise her on how to improve her bad marriage. No, Joseph avoided her from that point on.
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

The coat once again got Joseph into trouble. The first coat put him in a pit, and now second one will send him to prison. Potiphar’s wife was not one to take “NO” for an answer. She cornered Joseph at an opportune time to seduce him. Joseph, however realizing the danger of the situation, especially the spiritual implications if he yields, he ran away from her. Paul, tells Young Timothy to “flee from youthful lust” notice he does not say youth, flee from the lust. I just like to speak to the men who are reading this, not that this does not apply to women. The youthful lust can be a downfall at any age. David was 50 years old when he saw Beersheba and lust overpowered him to the point of murder & adultery. He stood on that rooftop and watched her take a bath. He needed to do what Joseph did. Joseph did not give his flesh a chance, he ran. What a lesson for us man, first he did not submit to the temptation although he could have rationalized but instead he feared God and did not sin. And, when the situation was to the point where he might not have been able to say “no,” He fled. No matter what age, we as men are prone to fall for “youthful desires” so be watchful that like David, you don’t linger but rather do what Joseph did.
13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to [f]mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.”19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused.20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.

Suddenly, the wife’s desire turned in to the rage of a woman scorned. At this point, she realized her wishes are not going to be fulfilled, and her thoughts turned to humiliate Joseph. She used his coat as a piece of evidence to accuse Joseph. On hearing the story, Potipher’s “wrath was kindled.” But it is significant that it does not say against whom. If his wife’s story was true, he indeed was justified to seek capital punishment for Joesph. In Egypt, attempted rape was a capital offense and especially when a crime was committed by a slave against the wife of an officer of Pharaoh. He did no such thing; furthermore, he put him in part of the prison reserved for political prisoners rather than criminal prisoners. It seems Potiphar knew both his wife and Joseph too well to really believe his wife’s version. I like to think he was furious at his wife for her behavior which forced his hand to send the man who had been a source of tremendous blessing to his life and business, to prison. It is noteworthy that this was the same prison over which Potiphar himself was in charge; so it may be that he hoped to bring Joseph back one day to resume his previous duties.
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave[g] him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under [h]Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

This one phrase in the Bible changes everything, verse 21 starts with “BUT THE LORD”. As He was with him in the pit and at Potipher’s home, God is with Joseph in prison. This is the same promise we have. Hebrews 13: 5 says, be content, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:9 says the same thing I will go with you and never leave you or forsake you. Joseph continued to bear a good testimony for the Lord and Lord confirmed Joseph’s testimony by immeasurably blessing him, even in prison. Soon,the keeper of the prison turned the whole operations over to Joseph. He managed Potiphar’s household and now was managing a prison. Both experiences were prophetic and were preparing Joseph to be governor of all Egypt. Do you feel, your talent is being wasted where you are? Do you think your abilities are not maximized where you are? Maybe you think, you are capable of much more than what you are doing now. Or you perhaps are a person who is insecure and might feel you are not capable, you don’t have the talent or resources to do to what God wants you to do. Look at the life of Joseph, God was preparing him for the next challenge in life. Maybe you are in prison because you are in training to be a prince. God does not put us into a situation which he has not prepared us for. And remember most importantly, we serve the same God who Joseph served, and as it was with Joseph, Lord will always be with us. Amen.