By Kenny Bruce
Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis
Focal Passage: Genesis 39:1-12
Joseph was successful because the Lord was with him in all his circumstances.
I. Joseph is trusted by a prosperous master (Ch. 39:1-6).
Although Joseph had been sold as a slave to Potiphar, an Egyptian official, the Lord was with him and prospered him (v. 3). Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and all that he owned. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar owned because of Joseph. The master saw that the Lord was with Joseph. Joseph surely shared his faith with him. Perhaps he told Potiphar about his two dreams.
Kenny Bruce
When Potiphar complimented him for his work, he probably gave all the credit to God. Joseph worked hard. He had to learn the language of Egypt and the ways of the Egyptians. He was a vigilant overseer. Joseph was the personification of Ephesians 6:5-8 where Paul commands slaves to be obedient to their masters and to work wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord, not men. When we work to please God rather than men, we too, like Joseph, point our employers to God.
II. Joseph is tempted by a persistent woman (Genesis 39:6-12). Because Joseph was handsome, he caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife, and she repeatedly seduced him. Fortunately, he had determined to walk with God whatever it might cost him. The sexual temptation was natural because it appealed to Joseph’s God-given appetite. It was extra-appealing because he was approximately 27 years old and single.
In all likelihood, the temptation was harder to resist because he was away from home. Many Christians who go away to college let their guard down and succumb to immorality. A person on a business trip is less likely to resist fornication than if he were in his hometown. Joseph was at a greater risk to submit to temptation because Potiphar’s wife waited until he was in the house alone before she said, “Lie with me” (v. 7). Her persistence had the potential to wear him down and make him more susceptible to her enticements.
Satan attacks us when we are weak. Joseph had reached the pinnacle of his profession when he was tempted. He could have relaxed and coasted spiritually. We must beware of temptation after we have achieved a victory. I Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” Joseph resisted her temptation because he knew that sin would hurt her as well as Potiphar.
Secondly, he refused to yield because he was convinced that all sin was ultimately against God. Joseph replied to Potiphar’s wife, “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). One day, as Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife, she grabbed his garment. She falsely accused him of trying to use her for his pleasure to her servants and to her husband.
Consequently, Potiphar had Joseph flung into prison. Joseph chose the path that led to prison rather than the path that led to sin. When we face temptation, we too, like Joseph, must have our minds made up beforehand to choose the path of righteousness whatever the cost. B&R
