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C. Joseph Enslaved In Egypt: How to Become Stronger Through the Blessings and Trials of Life (Part
1), 39:1-23

(39:1-23) Introduction: the importance of this chapter and the next chapter cannot be overstated. Note the
subjects of both chapters:

? Joseph Enslaved in Egypt: How to Become Stronger Through the Blessings and Trials of Life (Part 1),
39:1-23.

? Joseph Imprisoned in Egypt: How to Become Stronger Through the Blessings and Trials of Life (Part 2),
40:1-23.

Note that Joseph is enslaved in this chapter, and then he is imprisoned in the next. But both chapters have to
do with becoming stronger through blessings and trials. These experiences of Joseph show how God
prepares a believer to be the person he should be and to do the work he has been called to do. A believer, a
true believer, has to be prepared both to live a full life and to do his work upon earth. God does the
preparing. He prepares the believer by doing four things.

1. God takes the blessings and trials of everyday life to purge the sin and scum from the believer's life. In
Joseph's case, the sin was pride, arrogance, haughtiness, and cockiness. (See Deeper Study #1, pt.10-Genesis
37:1-50:26; note-•Genesis 37:5-11 for more discussion.)

2. God takes the blessings and trials of everyday life to teach the believer whatever he needs to learn to
become the worker and servant and leader God wants him to be.

God has called the believer to do a particular work, to complete a specific task while on earth. The believer
must be taught both the qualities and abilities of leadership and service that are needed to fulfill his God-
given purpose and work. In Joseph's case, his call and work was to save Egypt, in particular Israel (see
Deeper Study #2-Genesis 37:1-50:26). In our case as believers, our work may be to work in a factory, field,
office, shop, store, restaurant, court, or hospital; or maybe our work is to manage some business, department,
or employee group; or our work may be to serve in some leadership or government capacity. No matter what
our work is, God takes the blessings and trials of everyday life and teaches us whatever we need to become
the person, worker, and servant we should be.

3. God takes the blessings and trials of everyday life and strengthens the believer to make better decisions in
the future. God wants to entrust us with more and more work and service, entrust us with more and more to
do for Him and mankind. Every tough experience is to enrich our character; it is to teach us some trait that
will strengthen us for future decisions. This is the reason God allows us to face tough times and terrible
trials. We will see this in Joseph's life.

4. God takes the blessings and trials of everyday life and teaches us the greatest of all lessons: He and He
alone can take care of everything, both now and eternally. We must, therefore, trust Him. God is sovereign;
He is in control of everything, of all the events in our lives and upon earth. And God works all things out for
good to those who love Him, those who truly love Him. God has both the knowledge (omniscience) and the
power (omnipotence) to work all things out for good. God is sovereign: He can control and take care of
everything in our lives.

But not man. No man or nation can control the terrible trials of life: the evil, enslavement, lawlessness,
violence, immorality, diseases, accidents, sufferings, and death that plague human life.

? God and God alone can deliver us and free our spirit in the most terrible trials of life.

? God and God alone can give us a life that overflows with love, joy, and peace and that knows the fulness
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of being complete, fulfilled, and satisfied upon earth.

? God and God alone can give us the hope and absolute assurance of living forever and then actually snatch
us into His presence in the split second right at death.

This is the major reason for trials in life: to teach us that God and God alone can take care of everything both
now and forever. God wants us to turn to Him. Thus, He takes the trials of life and stirs us to trust Him. He
stirs us to call out for His help and deliverance. We will see this in Joseph's life.

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:28
)

This is what this chapter and the next chapter are all about: how God prepares us through the blessings and
trials of life. The great subject is: Joseph Enslaved in Egypt: How to Become Stronger Through the
Blessings and Trials of Life, 39:1-23.

1. Joseph became stronger through blessings: he learned leadership and hard work (v.1-6).

2. Joseph became stronger through temptation: he learned self-denial, discipline, and control (v.7-12).

3. Joseph became stronger through terrible trials: he learned the feelings of humiliation, compassion,
endurance, and hardness (v.13-20).

4. Joseph became stronger through God's presence, kindness, and favor: he learned to depend more and more
upon God (v.21-23).

1.(39:1-6) Leadership— Blessings— Labor: Joseph was made stronger through blessings. God blessed
Joseph so that he could learn leadership and hard work. Remember, Joseph had been sold as a slave by his
brothers. A caravan of Ishmaelite traders had come by on their way to Egypt, and the brothers had struck up
a deal with them, selling Joseph for twenty pieces of silver.

1. The Ishmaelite traders eventually reached Egypt and sold Joseph to Potiphar (Genesis 39:1). Potiphar was
an Egyptian, a high ranking official of Pharaoh. He was apparently the captain of Pharaoh's own personal
body guard, an extremely important position in that he would be in charge of protecting the very life of
Pharaoh himself.

2. Now note: God was with Joseph, blessing him and meeting his needs, so much so that Potiphar moved
him into his very own house (Genesis 39:2). Picture Joseph in his circumstances. He was only a seventeen-
year-old young man, somewhat still a boy, who had been reared in a wealthy home. He had always been the
favorite child of his father, always had everything he needed and wanted. His father had always catered to
him: indulged, pampered, babied, and overprotected him—all right in the faces of his brothers. And now,
within just a few days and weeks, Joseph was a slave in Egypt, miles away from his father and home.
Moreover, he was a slave because of his brothers. It was they who had sold him as a slave. They hated him.
This seventeen-year-old young man was bound to be crushed, brokenhearted, devastated, utterly grief-
stricken. Think what he felt:

? heartbroken because of the separation from his father.

? grief-stricken over the hatred of his brothers.

? crushed because of being kidnapped, enslaved, and torn away from his home.
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? devastated because he just did not know what to do.

There Joseph was in a strange city, in one of the largest cities of the world. He knew nothing about the
language nor the culture, absolutely nothing about the people and their ways. And most crushing of all, he
was a slave. What was he to do? There was only one thing he could do: turn to God. This Joseph did.
Obviously he prayed and prayed, crying out for God to help and strengthen him, for Scripture says that the
Lord was with Joseph meeting his needs (Genesis 39:2).

But note another significant point. Joseph not only prayed, he worked hard. Joseph was in terrible
circumstances, the worst circumstances imaginable: he had been kidnapped and enslaved and was having to
adjust to a whole new way of life in a strange city. But Joseph...

• was not wallowing around in self-pity

• was not cursing God

• was not angry with the world

When he was bought by Potiphar and assigned his particular task, Joseph did it and did it well. Joseph
worked hard, and the Lord blessed his work. In fact, Joseph worked so hard that the Lord blessed and
prospered his work greatly. This caught Potiphar's eye, and he was so impressed that he moved Joseph into
his own house.

3. Now note that God moved upon Potiphar and led him to do three things (Genesis 39:3-4).

a. God led Potiphar to note Joseph's Lord (Genesis 39:3). Potiphar actually noticed a difference between
Joseph and his hard work and the other slaves. What was the difference? Joseph's trust in God and God's
blessing of Joseph. No doubt, Joseph was witnessing and bearing testimony to the LORD, the true God of
heaven and earth, the true God of salvation and redemption.

b. God led Potiphar to note Joseph's hard work (Genesis 39:3b). Everything Joseph did prospered. The Lord
made Joseph a success in everything he did.

c. God led Potiphar to promote Joseph to be the supervisor or overseer of his estate (Genesis 39:4). In fact,
Potiphar put all his property and possessions under the management of Joseph. The result was phenomenal.

4. God blessed Potiphar, greatly so (Genesis 39:5-6). But note: Scripture makes it perfectly clear why God
blessed Potiphar. It was because of Joseph, because of his presence and hard work (Genesis 39:5). Because
of Joseph, God blessed and prospered all that Potiphar owned, both in his house and in his fields (Genesis
39:5). God blessed Potiphar so much that he put Joseph in charge of all his property and possessions, in
charge of everything except the food he put in his mouth (Genesis 39:6).

Now keep in mind why God was doing this: to teach Joseph to be a leader and to work hard. Being the
manager over a large estate would give Joseph the opportunity to work hard and to plan and manage...See:

• labor • distribution

• production • marketing

• finances

5. Note one other fact: Scripture says that Joseph was handsome and manly. This will be important to note in
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the next point.

Thought 1. God was using the trials and circumstances of Joseph to teach him leadership and hard work.
Joseph was not wallowing around in self-pity. He was not lashing out against the world and cursing God
because he had been so badly mistreated. Neither should we, no matter how terrible our circumstances and
trials are. We need to do what Joseph did:

1) We need to cast ourselves upon God, to trust God to strengthen and help us through our sufferings
and trials.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)

“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” (Psalm 121:5-8)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with
my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7)

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:6)

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:17)

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;” (Psalm 61:1-3)

“Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them
speak; let us together draw near for judgment.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm
you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2
)

“even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry
and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never
leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

2) We need to get busy at our tasks and work very, very hard. This will help keep our minds off our
problems, making us far more productive and valuable to both ourselves and society. Moreover, hard work
always pleases the Lord and stirs Him to bless us.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:11)

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” (Ephes. 4:28)

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would
Christ,” (Ephes. 6:5-8)

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:23)

“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened
among you,” (2 Thes. 3:12)
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“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6)

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4-5)

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:11)

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (
Proverbs 13:4)

“A wise son hears his fathers instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” (Proverbs 13:11)

“Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.” (Proverbs
14:23)

“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:29)

“But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand
of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.” (Eccles. 9:10)

2.(39:7-12) Temptation- Discipline- Self-Control- Immorality: Joseph was made stronger through
temptation. God allowed Joseph to be tempted so that he could learn self-denial, discipline, and control.
Joseph needed what we need: to learn to control his body, thoughts, and passions. Again, note the former
verse where it is said that Joseph was handsome and manly.

1. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife to have sex. Obviously, she had noticed Joseph sometime before
this event happened. As she looked and looked, she became more and more attracted. She most likely had
made suggestive remarks and invitations before the bold approach taken here. But Joseph no doubt always
turned the conversations to another subject and walked away when he could. She soon saw that she was
getting nowhere with suggestive invitations. However, she was burning with lust and wanted Joseph so
badly that she finally got up the courage to be bold. On a day when no one else was within hearing distance,
she just came right out and asked Joseph to go to bed with her.

This was a strong, powerful temptation for Joseph. Several facts show this:

? He was a young man, probably in his late twenties by this time. He was a normal young man with normal
sexual desires, and she was flattering him and opening the door wide open for him.

? She was most likely a beautiful, attractive woman.

? She was also a very important woman, the wife of a high-ranking official in Pharaoh's court. It would have
been a tremendous advantage to have sex with her: she would no doubt favor and probably well reward
Joseph through expressing positive statements and suggesting promotions for Joseph. It could perhaps even
lead to his freedom some day.

? It was to Joseph's great advantage not to upset his master's wife. If he upset and angered her, he very well
knew what could happen.

Joseph was in a bind, a serious predicament. What was he to do? If he submitted to her advances, he would
know sexual pleasure, probably just about any time he wanted her; and he would also gain the great
advantages that could result from her favor. But if he refused her, he could know her wrath. What was he to
do? What would most young men do?
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2. Joseph resisted the temptation and refused to have sex with her. But note that Joseph was not harsh: he
was soft, and he deliberately explained his position. He gave her the very reasons why he could not go to bed
with her. Note his reasons:

? not because she was not appealing

? not because she was ugly

? not because he was not attracted to her

? not because she was immoral

a. Joseph rejected her because his master trusted him, and he must not violate his master's trust. Potiphar
trusted Joseph to be around his wife, and therefore Joseph could not violate and break that trust. Joseph was
suggesting that he and she both had to be trustworthy: they had to prove that they could be trusted.

b.Joseph rejected her because illicit sex is wicked (Genesis 39:9b). Joseph says that it would be a wicked
thing for him to go to bed with her.

Thought 1. Note the striking and pointed statement made by Joseph: illicit sex is a "great wickedness."
Joseph called sin just what it is, sin. Sin is sin, and wickedness is wickedness. Illicit sex-immorality,
adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, any sex outside of marriage (that is, true marriage, marriage
between a man and woman)-is sinful and wicked. Man has perverted the truth about illicit sex, calling it:

? an alternate lifestyle

? experimentation

? sexual freedom

? sexual preference

? a normal, legitimate expression of one's nature

But no matter what man calls it, God strongly condemns illicit sex. Illicit sex destroys a person's heart, his
self-control and discipline, and eventually the person's life. It destroys trust within families, parents,
children, friends, and neighbors. On and on the list could go. Illicit sex is a terrible wickedness.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:18)

“which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, Though they know Gods
righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval
to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:26-27, 32)

“When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of
the saints?” (1 Cor. 6:18)

“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman
her own husband.” (1 Cor. 7:2)

c. Joseph rejected her because illicit sex is a sin against God Himself (Genesis 39:9c). God strongly forbids
illicit sex. Joseph would have been sinning against God if he had given in to her proposition. Joseph could
not disobey God: he could not hurt God, could not cut God's heart and cause pain for God. His sin would
have been against God, the God who had saved him and blessed him so much. There was no way that Joseph
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was going to damage the relationship he had with God. And he knew that sin would break and sever the
relationship. Joseph loved God too much to hurt and cause Him pain and to sever the relationship he had
with God.

Thought 1. Note two facts.

1) Sin is first of all against God and God alone. It hurts and cuts God's heart, causing great pain for Him. He
is always displeased and hates sin.

“If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting
the innocent and condemning the guilty,” (Deut. 25:16)

“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the kings
house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.” (2 Samuel 11:27)

“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.” (Psalm 5:4)

“The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” (Psalm 11:5)

“And the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying,” (Zech. 8:17)

“He also said to the disciples, There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him
that this man was wasting his possessions.” (Luke 16:15)

2) Sin always breaks our relationship with God.

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in
your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4)

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth;” (Psalm 66:18)

“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face
from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

“There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden
your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 64:7)

d. Now note: Joseph was fiercely tempted day by day. Potiphar's wife did not accept what Joseph said, and
his resistance just aroused her more and more (Genesis 39:10). She just burned with lust and passion for
him, so much so that she just kept after him day by day. But he stood fast and resisted her advances. Joseph
stayed true to God, standing fast against the temptation. And note: he even tried to avoid her altogether-to
stay away from her and out of her presence-as much as he could.

e. But she was not giving up. She planned a scheme whereby she could actually assault Joseph (Genesis
39:11-12). She somehow got rid of all the male servants in the section of the house where Joseph worked.
When Joseph entered to go to his office, she surprised him by grabbing him and propositioning him-ready to
rape him if possible (Genesis 39:12). What did Joseph do? What would most young men do? To deny her
probably meant arousing her wrath and vengeance.

f. Joseph ran out of the house (Genesis 39:12). But he turned away from her and fled so quickly that she
yanked his cloak off.

Thought 1. God allowed Joseph to be tempted time after time, day by day over months. God was letting
Joseph learn self-denial, discipline, and self-control. And Joseph learned the lesson well. He controlled
himself, his body, passions, and thoughts. He proved that he could be trusted more and more in higher
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positions of leadership. Joseph resisted the temptation to let his passions run loose.

Few persons ever escape the temptation to have sex outside marriage. The temptation to have illicit sex
begins before marriage and continues on throughout life. There is the temptation that comes...
at school, work, parties, church, sporting events, restaurants, etc.
from fellow workers, classmates, neighbors, employers, even complete strangers.

Few sins appeal to us as much as sexual sins. Sex is a strong and normal drive given by God. But God gave
it for marriage and for marriage alone. Note two lessons:

1) God strongly prohibits sex outside of marriage (that is, true marriage, marriage between a man and a
woman).

“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:” (Matthew 5:27-30)

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper
among saints.” (Ephes. 5:3-7)

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5)

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;” (1 Thes. 4:3-7)

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.” (
James 1:14-15)

“And God spoke all these words, saying,” (Exodus 20:14)

2) God always makes a way for us to escape.

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea,” (1 Cor. 10:13)

3.(39:13-20) Humiliation— Endurance— Trials— Imprisonment: Joseph was made stronger through the
most terrible trials. He had to learn the feelings of humiliation and endurance and hardness. In future years
Joseph was to be exalted as the chief administrator of all Egypt; he was to have complete control over the
food supply of the nation. To be a just and compassionate administrator, he would need to know what it felt
like to be humiliated and to lose everything one owned. Thus, God again prepared Joseph through the
terrible trial of utter humiliation and losing everything he had. This God had already begun to teach Joseph
when his brothers rejected him and sold him as a slave. But this was a lesson that Joseph had to learn and
learn well, for God was going to use him to save Egypt and Israel from starvation. He had to know how to be
both compassionate and hard toward those who had lost all they had and were utterly humiliated. The best
way for Joseph to learn this remarkable lesson was to experience being humiliated and losing all he had.
Then he would learn to endure and be hard through it all. Compassion, endurance, and hardness would all be
necessary to lead the nation through the terrible trial of economic collapse. And the world's economy was
soon to collapse under the weight of a seven-year famine. Now, note what happened to Joseph.

1. Joseph suffered the trial of lies and false accusations. Potiphar's wife was a woman scorned, and a woman
scorned often becomes a woman of rage. She turned against Joseph more quickly than she had turned to him.
She now rejected him because he had rejected her, and she set out to humiliate and hurt him as much as she
could.
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a. She cried out for the household servants to come running. Note her false charge against Joseph:

? She mocked Joseph, calling him "this Hebrew," trying to arouse prejudice against him.

? She accused him of rape and said he was a danger to all the women of the household: there was danger that
he would make sport of us, mock and insult us. Note the plural, referring to all the women.

? She attempted to prove her charge by presenting the cloak of Joseph as evidence (Genesis 39:15).

The point is this: think of the utter embarrassment and humiliation of Joseph. His friends, fellow workers,
and servants were there listening to the charge of rape against him. And he was being charged by his
master's wife, charged with attempting to rape her. And she held his cloak as evidence. Joseph probably
wanted to run and flee the whole situation, for he stood no chance of ever proving his innocence. But he was
no doubt taken into custody by some of the servants or guards of her husband until her husband returned
home. Again, think of the utter humiliation Joseph was suffering.

b. She lied and falsely accused Joseph to her husband when he arrived home (Genesis 39:16-17). Note that
she somewhat boxed Potiphar in by laying the blame at his feet: it was the Hebrew slave he had brought into
the house who attacked her (Genesis 39:17). But she—the faithful and innocent wife—immediately
screamed for help and Joseph fled. Note that she again presented Joseph's cloak as irrefutable evidence that
she was telling the truth.

2. Joseph now suffered the loss of all he had: both his possessions and position (Genesis 39:19-20).
Potiphar's anger was set afire, and he flamed with rage. He was as any reasonable man would be: boiling
mad.

Potiphar's wrath fell and Joseph was imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). Note where: in the prison that Potiphar
was over and in charge of (Genesis 40:3). Joseph was put in the political prison, not the prison for common
criminals. Being charged with a political crime was much worse than being charged with a common
criminal's crime. Why did Potiphar have Joseph put in the political prison? To keep Joseph closer to
himself...

• so that he could be sure that Joseph got the worst treatment possible?

• so that he could release Joseph at a later date and restore him as the overseer of his estate?

Certainly, not the latter reason. Potiphar's wife would never stand for such a move, and the other court
officials and leaders of the nation would mock Potiphar for doing such a thing. Public opinion alone
eliminates the last reason. Moreover, Joseph was in the prison for several years. It was certainly not
Potiphar's intention to ever release him.

Potiphar bound Joseph in the political prison as punishment. And he did have him bound. Note what another
Scripture tells us:

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” (Psalm 105:17-
18)

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” (Psalm 105:17-
18)
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Thought 1. Some believers suffer terrible humiliation. Sometimes the fault is theirs; sometimes the fault lies
at the feet of others. No matter who is at fault, humiliation is one of the worst sufferings ever experienced.
Some suffer the humiliation...

• of separation and divorce

• of job loss and unemployment

• of bankruptcy and loss of all possessions

• of homelessness and poverty

• of terrible sin and shame

• of failure and lack of success

• of not coming through and being untrustworthy

• of false charges and accusations

• of imprisonment and injury

The things that can humiliate us are unlimited. When we are humiliated, we must learn what Joseph was to
learn: the feelings of humiliation, compassion, endurance, and hardness. God wants us to know what people
feel when they are utterly humiliated and to be compassionate toward them. And He wants us to learn to
endure even the most severe humiliations and trials of life.

“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,
that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2)

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,” (
1 Peter 1:6-7)

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has
suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

“Then Job answered and said:” (Job 23:10)

“Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah,
who swear by the name of the Lord and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.” (Isaiah 48:10)

4.(39:21-23) Purpose, Of God— Sovereignty, Of God: Joseph was made stronger through God's presence,
kindness, and favor. He had to learn the care of God, that God really cared for him, and he had to learn to
depend more and more upon God.

1. God prepared Joseph by teaching him to have a positive attitude despite severe circumstances (Genesis
39:21-22a). What was Joseph feeling? No doubt utter devastation, distress, and bewilderment. He was bound
to be wondering and questioning God about the injustice against him. He had obeyed God and done the right
thing: he had resisted the temptation to sin, refused to have sex with his master's wife. What more could he
have done? Why prison? Why all the lies and false accusations? Why would Potiphar not believe him?
Again, why prison? Why would God not do something to show Potiphar the truth? Do something to keep
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him from being imprisoned?

But God did not, and Joseph had been imprisoned. At some point, Joseph no doubt cried out to God for
strength and help, even as he had done years before when he was first sold as a slave and brought to Egypt.
But now the circumstances were far, far worse: he was a prisoner. He had been charged with attempted rape
against the wife of one of the top officials in Egypt. Joseph's only hope was God, God's help and
deliverance. He knew this, so when the whirlwind of his emotions and thoughts settled down, he did what all
believers do in such times: Joseph cried out for God's help and strength.

Note what happened: God had mercy upon Joseph. God was kind to Joseph and favored him. God did just
what Scripture says:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a
partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:” (1 Peter 5:10)

God strengthened Joseph and helped Joseph to settle down. God helped Joseph to develop a positive attitude
and no doubt led Joseph to a deeper trust and commitment to God.

2. God prepared Joseph by teaching him the qualities of leadership even through hard and difficult times (
Genesis 39:22-23a). The warden of the prison began to notice Joseph, that he was a capable and hard
worker. He took note of Joseph's witness and testimony to the LORD, the true God of heaven and earth, the
true God of salvation and redemption. The warden noted that Joseph's God blessed everything Joseph did.
Therefore, the warden made Joseph overseer over all the other prisoners.

3. God prepared Joseph by teaching him to trust God's care and power (Genesis 39:23). Joseph was in
prison, in the lowest position in which a man can be. Did God care enough and have the power to bless him
and to make him a success in prison? If God did, then He could bless Joseph and all other believers no
matter where they were and regardless of their circumstances. Note that God did both: He blessed Joseph
and made everything he did a success (Genesis 39:23).

Thought 1. God cares for us. He cares enough to help and strengthen us. He cares enough to bless us and
make us a success, no matter where we are and no matter what our circumstances are. Believe God; believe
the Scripture. God wants to use the trials of our lives as well as the blessings, use the trials to make us the
people we should be and to make us a better workers and servants upon earth. Again, God cares for us, cares
enough to help and strengthen us and to make us what we should be.

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:35)

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings
I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” (Psalm 57:1)

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” (Matthew
6:33)

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (
Luke 12:7)

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his
appearing and his kingdom:” (2 Tim. 4:18)

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a
partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:” (1 Peter 5:10)
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“He said, The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he
came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.” (Deut. 33:27)

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the
storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,” (Isaiah 25:4)

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I
will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

“even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry
and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

DEEPER STUDY #1

DEEPER STUDY #1

(39:21-23) Sovereignty- Providence, Of God: Joseph faced some tough times through these trying and
terrible experiences. God was preparing Joseph to rule Egypt. God had to make sure that Joseph was
successful. Then and only then would the Egyptians allow the chosen family of Jacob to migrate and settle
in Goshen. God could thereby fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Division Overview and
Deeper Study #1-Genesis 37:1-50:26). Every tough experience enriched Joseph's character. He was taught
some trait that strengthened him for future decisions. He was to carry the nation through seven terrible years
of famine. Thus he needed the administrative ability to challenge and mobilize the people to put enough food
in storage to carry them through the years of famine. He would confront obstinate and hard opposition from
some during the years of plenty, especially the greedy and covetous of the land. And he would see the
hunger and suffering of many in the years of nothing. He needed to be both hard and soft, yet fair and just.
And above all, he needed to trust God and bear witness to God.

DEEPER STUDY #2

DEEPER STUDY #2

(39:21-23) Care, God- Success- Prosperity: note two significant facts.

1. The fact that the Lord was with Joseph is mentioned four times (Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23). This was all
Joseph needed: to know that the Lord was with him. This is all any believer needs. We just need the Lord: to
know that the Lord is with us-with us through all circumstances, no matter how severe.

There are two glorious suggestions in the fact that the Lord is with us.

? There is devotion, a precious consciousness of the Lord's presence. To be with each other is what both the
Lord and the true believer wants.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have
redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:10)
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“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)

? There is also the truth of God's care and of His looking after us. The believer, no matter his circumstances,
can rest assured of God's presence. God does care and does look after us.

“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a
partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:” (1 Peter 5:10)

2. Joseph was a prosperous and successful man. How can it be said that a slave is prosperous? A man who is
nothing but chattel property, who has no rights of his own? The answer is so often missed: prosperity and
success do not depend upon circumstances but upon character and attitude. Joseph cried out to God for help
and strength; then got up and went to work. And he worked harder and more diligently than all the other
slaves and workers. Joseph gave an honest day's work and more. He was a person of the highest character
with a great positive attitude.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:23-24; cp. Ephes. 6:5-8)