Joseph: A Man Of Godly Integrity Series

But there are two themes that I want to focus on this time, and they are integrity of character and fleeing temptation. And we are going to work our way up to those things as the story progresses. First, though, we need to start with this idea in mind:

[JOSEPH’S RISE TO PROMINENCE WAS A RESULT OF GOD’S FAVOR UPON HIS LIFE]

The beginning of the account starts out promising for Joseph, doesn’t it? Although his brothers sold him into slavery in a tragic act of betrayal, he does not live the life of a slave for long. In the providence of God, an officer of the Pharaoh purchases Joseph and notices his distinctive character. The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man.

The operative phrase there is the Lord was with Joseph. Moses, the author, reiterates that phrase in v.3 saying the Lord was with him and explains for us that it was God who was causing everything Joseph did to succeed.

And not only was Joseph blessed, but the whole house of Potiphar was blessed on account of Joseph being there. It’s the concept of proximal blessing; just being around Joseph meant that Potiphar and his household experienced God’s favor in a second hand way.

Now this has to be the foundation for how we understand the rest of the story. Joseph is where he is because God put him there. It was not his own doing, his own skill, or his own cunning. It was the blessing of God. And this is a scriptural concept that runs across the Testaments and so applies to us as well.

In Daniel 2, the prophet Daniel is about to respond to a request given to him by King Nebuchadnezzar. The king asked for someone to interpret his dream; and God gave the interpretation to Daniel. Before he tells the king the interpretation he praises God by saying this in vv.20-21: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding...

Pharaoh was who he was because God put him there. Potiphar was the officer of Pharaoh because God put him there. Joseph was Potiphar’s servant because God brought him there. To put that in a contemporary context, Barack Obama is the president of the United States because God put him there. Even those who don’t acknowledge God’s rule are under God’s rule. We are who we are and where we are because God has made it so.

Psalm 103:19 says: The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. One text for you from the New Testament, 1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Why pray for kings and those who are in authority? Because God’s hand is what ultimately controls them, just as he controls all people. Jesus Christ is, as Revelation says, the King of kings and Lord of lords. So there is no doubt: Joseph was exactly where God wanted him.