Trusted: Lessons from the Life of Joseph
Week 3: “Trusted with a Prison”
Genesis 39:6-23
Just off the shore of North Carolina on the island of Cape Hatteras is a village known as Nag’s Head, a small shoreline town where, back in the 1800’s, the “wreckers” lived. These “wreckers” made their living gathering up parts and cargo from ships that had run aground in the night. But these ships didn’t run aground accidentally. No, they were lured into the rocks by these “wreckers” – deceitful men who had fastened a lighted lantern onto the head of an old nag – a horse (thus the name Nag’ Head) – and would then lead the old horse up and down and back and forth on the edge of Diamond Shoals beach. Ships out at sea would mistake the bobbing lantern for the stern light of a ship that they supposed had found safe passage through the mid-Atlantic, and they would, in turn, head in that direction, only to run aground on the rocks. With nowhere to go, the crew and the ship were no contest for the wreckers, who would pillage the ship and all its cargo. In fact, “wrecking” became a thriving business in Nag’s Head, even though it was built on treachery. Even now guests to Nag’s Head can see old homes built and furnished with the material taken from the more than 2,300 ships that were misguided and ultimately destroyed.
TRANSITION: Guess what? There’s a Nag’s Head just off the shore of your life as well!
And as you are sailing through your days, understand this, my friend – there’s a “wrecker” who is doing all he can to destroy your life; he desires to pull you towards the rocks of sin and then plunder you once you find you have no place to go. His name is Satan, and bringing you to ruin is exactly what he is trying to do to those who are pursing of lifestyle of trust – both in God and by God.
There may no better picture of this concept in the Bible than the next adventure in Joseph’s life – his tempting encounter with Potiphar’s wife and the ensuing time in prison. And we find this drama chronicled in Genesis 39:6-23. Turn there, would you?
(6) Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, (7) and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" (8) But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. (9) No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (10) And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her (11) One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. (12) She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. (13) When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, (14) she called her household servants. "Look," she said to them, "this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. (15) When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house." (16) She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. (17) Then she told him this story: "That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. (18) But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house." (19) When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. (20) Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, (21) the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. (22) So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. (23) The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Essentially, Satan realized that he was going to have to increase the pressure on Joseph. Joseph had been truthful and tested – so far he was enduring. But the stakes were now higher, and so to throw him off course, Satan brings the heat of sexual temptation his way, an enticement no doubt attractive but ultimately damning. But when the heat was on, Joseph found the strength to resist in his:
1) Spiritual Perspective
Do you see the phrases in 39:8-9? “Everything he owns he has entrusted to me” and “Can I sin against God?” Joseph saw things as more than what was on the surface; he had a keen eye for what was below the surface.
I often refer to this as “divine reasoning” – talking to yourself about the way things look from God’s perspective, not yours. And it has been a big help to me in my own fight against temptation. Sometimes when I sense temptation lingering, I envision my family years later into the future as if I gave in to that sin. Know what happens to me at that moment? I start sensing a nauseating feeling in my gut, a sickening regret that I do not want to experience or deal with. It is one of the ways God kicks in a deep motivation to live a holy life. In other words, take time to think through all the after-effects of your sin, and all that will probably happen if you give in just this once. Reason with yourself from God’s point of view and come back to your senses!
For these phrases to be so quick off his lips indicates to me that Joseph must have been in touch with God on a regular, consistent basis. And he was, for these chapters repeatedly affirm that “the Lord was with Joseph.” That’s why I find Joseph’s actions strikingly similar to Jesus’ own prescription (for overcoming temptation) to the sleepy disciples in the garden on the night of his betrayal. Do you remember our discussion of this when we were studying Luke and learned how to “watch and pray” so that we would not fall into temptation? I think this is the Old Testament picture of that kind of praying! , in praying we get God’s perspective; we gain the view from heaven, so to speak. Praying consistently, especially when the dial is turned up and the heat is on, is truly our source for power and strength, and it’s the primary weapon Paul called us to use in Ephesians 6. And I believe it’s what Joseph must have been doing when he responded so spiritually to the wife’s request for sex. He took a physical enticement and saw it through the lens of God’s spiritual microscope. In doing so, he realized this was far more than a momentary act of pleasure, but would be a sin against God, his boss, himself and her. This type of spiritual, divine reasoning enabled him to resist the “wrecker.”
Joseph also found the strength to resist in his
2) Physical Position.
I like the phrases in 39:10-12, don’t you? “He would not even be with her” and “Joseph fled.” These indicate he was willing to take drastic physical, measures to avoid sin. It was more than talk to ole’ Joe – he physically rearranged his life and schedule to get away from sin’s pull.
Every time I read this story in Genesis I recall a scary situation that happened to me as a boy. I was in Jr. high (my exact age slips me, but I know I couldn’t drive yet), and I was riding my bike to the gym, which was about 30 minutes away in another part of Chattanooga. I had no sooner left the house and headed up Mayfair Avenue towards Belvoir Avenue when, on the corner of Sweetbriar and Mayfair, an older teen guy – probably 17 or 18 -- pooped out of a woody section of trees and began waving me down. I was still several yards away, but heading towards him, when he said rather loudly and provocatively, “Wanna see a naked girl?” Suddenly, a scantly-dressed girl, much younger, came up beside him and smiled seductively. Uh-oh!
Let’s be honest, okay? I was a puberty rookie, having just started on that journey towards physical manhood. So my “T-levels” were going crazy, if you know what I mean. Add to that the fact that, for a guy, sight is everything, and here’s this girl trying to draw me into the woods with her body gyrations and slinky smile … well, my curiosity was peaking at a rather high level. I didn’t know at that time that I was probably looking at more of a dangerous situation – abduction or abuse – than I was a sexual one, which just goes to show you what was rolling around in my head. But somewhere in that moment of temptation God gave me the will power to pedal like the boy on the Incredibles! Man, was I outta there! They both followed me visually saying things like “C’mon, it’ll be fun” and “You’ll love it!” But no detour for me – and no discussion about it with them. I pedaled as fast as I could and headed for the gym!
Think about the silliness of this – What if I had stopped to have a talk with them about it? What if I had thought that I was strong enough to take on two people older than me who probably had intentions even more weird than that one line they yelled out to me? That would be just plain dumb! My best option? Hit the road, Jack! Yep, I would have been stupid to play with that fire. It was the smart move to be on the move. In doing so I cut sin off before it got much of a chance to grow.
In much the same way, Joseph cut sin off at the pass as well by avoiding her and not even staying around to discuss it! He was living out what later in the New Testament Paul commanded the Romans to do – “do not even give the flesh an opportunity” (Roman 13:14).
Likewise, we should be alert for potential temptations on the horizon. Easy access to television programs that contaminate, computers in places that accentuate unnecessary privacy, schedules that are designed to deceive, and/or relationships that cultivate unbiblical emotional feelings are things we should nip in the bid. Do whatever you have to early on cut sin off before it grows out of control. Scrutinize who you hang with, where you go, what you watch, and where you click. Don’t be embarrassed about your commitment to holiness; it’s worth it in the long run!
By the way, Glenn Ansley wrote about this very attitude in a recent devotional at deeperdevotion.com, and I encourage you to go to our Web site and click on the link, the Extra Point, to read it. It is very good and will help you understand even further just how important it si to be on guard and alert.
Again, I find his actions very similar to what Christ instructed the disciples to do in the garden when he asked them to “watch.” “Watching” was an actual physical act that he asked his disciples to do, all because he knew things were heating up in Jerusalem and that something was stirring among the religious leaders. So he asked them to keep watch! Stay awake! Be alert! In a sense, it’s almost like he was saying, “Keep one open as you pray with one eye closed.” No doubt Joseph did this each and every day as Potiphar’s wife “nagged” him for sex. But he stayed alert and was vigilant, even to the point of not going near her or being with her. He knew it was imperative he be on his guard, for a “nag” was luring him towards the rocks.
And by the way – a little help here is much appreciated. What do I mean? Well, while I encourage all men adopt a “whatever it takes” attitude in avoiding sin and cutting it off at the root, I also encourage women to do the same thing, not only for themselves, but for us as well. And by “us” I mean men.
Let me be honest with every woman here – you alone can’t stop a man from lusting. It’s his choice and he is responsible. But you can help a man not lust! How? As Vicki Courtney says in her article An Open Letter to Hoochie Mamas, “…by simply not subjecting us to too much, um, how can I word this gently – YOU.” She goes onto write, “Just as we do not wish to hear a co-worker’s Monday morning recap of sexual escapades in the name of TMI (too much information), we do not wish to witness your public displays of TMY (too much you). Your epidermis is showing, and it’s time to cover up. There, I said it; and I feel much better.”
Vicki makes a point, doesn’t she? If you want to read her entire rant, go to our Web site and click on the Extra Point (on the front of the main page) for the complete article.
Whether you’re a man or a woman, not a bad philosophy for us when we are enticed, seduced, or pulled away, eh?
Make no mistake, church – this is what the Wicked One will do when he sees that you are holding fast and enduring. If he can’t get you to give up, he’ll do what he can to get you to give in! For the last thing Satan wants is a greater trust level between you and your heavenly Father! When he sees that occurring – when he notices your life becoming the kind God can trust and use for tremendous things – he attacks. Let me show you what I mean:
[SHOW CHART]
You see it, don’t you? As Joseph remained truthful and faithful under fire, God was moving him towards greater doors of opportunity. Yes, he saw Joseph becoming more and more the trusted, faithful follower with whom he could entrust greater opportunities. But Satan noticed it, too! And so just as God was moving Joseph closer to His calling, Satan was doing all he could to move Joseph toward a falling. Even Joseph had a Nag’s Head off the shore of his life! And I repeat – so do you!
If you’re finding yourself slow to believe this is the way life comes at us (or should I say the way the Evil One throws life at us), look at James 1:12-15.
(12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (13) When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Here in this New Testament corollary passage we see the very same progression of pressure: first tests, then temptation! What amazing parallels between Joseph’s life and James’ writings!
Of course, at a quick glance, you may think things didn’t end up well for Joseph. After all, prison isn’t exactly my first choice of a reward for resisting sin, is it? But a closer look reveals that time in prison with God was safer than a life of pleasure without God. From that angle, Joseph was rewarded well: God’s hand of favor remained on Joseph! And you can see this spelled out so clearly in Genesis 39:20-21 when it says that “while Joseph was there in the prison, (21) the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor…” Truly, prison with God’s favor is far better than a party packed with man’s folly.
Moses had much the same attitude about his choices. Remember what the writer of Hebrew said about Moses? “He chose to be identified with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Just like Joseph, Moses resisted temptation and thought long-term about his choices. He knew that pain with God was a better choice than pleasure without God.
You see, Joseph made the choice of maturity: he endured short-term pain for long-term gain. Too often in our culture, however, the opposite happens – people make short-term decisions to enjoy pleasure/avoid pain and end up with very destructive long-term consequences. Ironically, they find themselves in a “prison” made by their own pursuit of pleasure, living life without God and void of any real meaning or purpose. Let’s learn a lesson from Joseph: even if the consequences of resisting sin mean short-term pain, it is worth it in the long run!
Interestingly, I don’t think Joseph considered himself imprisoned at all! Sure, Joseph’s location was jail; but his disposition was one of joy! And eventually he found himself in the same kind of place he was before the false accusation and improper imprisonment: not in prison, but in charge! And isn’t that like God? What looked like a bum-wrap on the outside was actually just another opportunity for God to entrust something greater into Joseph’s care: an entire prison. What an opportunity! But he would never have had that privilege if he had given in to the momentary sexual pleasure of intercourse with Potiphar’s wife. (Truth is, I tend to think he would have forfeited his life, for Potiphar probably would have done more than imprisoned Joseph had he actually caught them in the act; he more than likely would have killed both Joseph and his wife!)
Guess what? THIS SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS HAPPENING TO YOU RIGHT NOW! That’s right – many of you are being tested and tempted, and Satan is hoping he can lure you away from God’s preferred future for you. No doubt God wants to increase your impact and give you greater opportunities to advance his kingdom and move forward with his purposes. But Satan knows that as well, and he is also after you. There is no doubt, both biblically and practically, that you are in his cross-hairs! That’s why Peter said we are to remain sober and vigilant because Satan is prowling around looking for someone to devour (2 Peter 5:8). And Paul said Satan often charades as an angel of light in order to deceive those within the church (2 Corinthians 11:14). My brothers and sisters, we are under an all-out attack by the enemy, and his goal is to plunge you towards a life of unfaithfulness and untrustworthiness by pulling you into the rocks of sin and vice. He’s the soul’s wrecker, and he will pillage your life and plunder your family till there is no hint of spiritual sanity or sanctity left to your name.
SO LET ME WARN YOU AGAIN: THIS VERY PROCESS IS HAPPENING TO MAY OF YOU EVEN AS I SPEAK! This week, all of us will be tempted in some way:
• sexually (lust, adultery, pornography, immorality)
• emotionally (anger, jealousy, greed)
• physically (violence, abuse, neglect)
• relationally (comparison, criticism, disobedience)
• spiritually (idolatry, unbelief)
Truth is, that very one – unbelief – may be happening right now in this room! Perhaps you have never allowed God’s forgiveness to cover your sin; you simply have never believed in Jesus Christ as the only way for you to get to God and heaven. Know what you’re doing? You’re staying in unbelief even though God is calling you to a life of faith in Him. You see the pseudo-lights on the shore and you think perhaps there’s another way to heaven. A better option. A different alternative. My friend, this morning make the decision to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God. Simply “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” (Acts 16:31) In fact, in a few moments I’ll give you an opportunity to indicate you want to believe, and I pray that you will even now simply turn your heart towards God and, in an attitude of repentance, ask him to forgive you based on the cross of Jesus Christ. Simply pray something like,
“Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins and by faith I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
A prayer like that is the best way to start dealing with sin!
Yes, sins like the ones I’ve just mentioned. For those very sins will be doggin’ us this week, won’t they? And there’s more I’m sure. That’s just some of the obvious sins prevalent in our current culture. And while we can somewhat understand their roots better by classifying them, they are all sins against God and acts that violate his holy commands. And if you give in, and you may very well forfeit the right to greater opportunities and future blessings he has in store for you. Instead, stand strong! Resist! Draw near to God! Remember, church – That’s not a ships’ stern light in the distance; that’s the deceiving lantern of a nag who is luring you towards destruction and ruin.
APPLICATION: So what can you do to resist temptation and increase your trustworthiness this week? The same thing Joseph did: 1) See sin from a spiritual perspective, and 2) Resist sin with physical actions. We’ve already talked about them; you see them here in the passage. It’s now just a matter of living it out from this day forward and moving towards victory.
To help you become motivated towards that end, let’s turn to Scripture once again. And as you think about these two elements of victory, and as you ponder what effect they will have upon your spiritual journey towards greater trust in God and by God, I’m going to ask Patti Stringer, from the First Family Players, to read for us a section of Scripture from Proverbs 7 that really lays out the end effect of not resisting temptation. That’s right – here’s what happens if we don’t pursue victory at all costs! Listen for key words; look for contrasting actions; hear the repeated themes; audibly spot the differences between the man in Proverbs and God’s man in Genesis. Most of all, accept the truth as God unfolds it for us. And when she is done reading, we’re going to have some prayer time at the altar before we head back out into the Nag’s Head known as life.
Proverbs 7
At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
(She is loud and defiant; her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said,
"I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."
With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose.
Till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
CLOSING: Altar call – Come lay your heart out before God and cry out to him, “Lord, I want you more than my sin. Give me a heart of resistance and a life that is trustworthy so that your favor will rest on me.” We’re going to stand, the band is going to play…you come even now.
