Intro. We saw the change of a father, and then the attack of his own family. Joseph is in a storm that was the path God had for him, yet another attack was looming.
An attack is not merely a threat of pain, or abuse. His brothers, those closest to him had attacked him. But now, an attack was lurking that was more dangerous than the pit. In our text, we find that Joseph has been sold to a man named Potiphar. Potiphar was a leader in the Egyptian government. Joseph found immediate favor and became a servant in the house instead of in the fields. At this time he would have been comfortable. He would still have great distress over what his brothers did, but he became a house servant. Yet, Joseph was in the midst of an unexpected storm. But in the midst of the storm, he would face more trouble. He was in the will of God! But the storm was still there.
I. Joseph’s Continuance - vs. 1-6 The story of Joseph is most of the time focused on what Joseph faced. The Predictions (dreams), the Pit, The House of Potiphar, the Prison, Pharoah, and the Palace. But underneath the story, we find the character of a 17 year old. He had been influenced by a changed father, and now, though he is in bondage, yet not bitter! He lives now the way his father would later define him: Gen. 49:22 "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) 25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee..."
A. The Unwavering Spirit - It was evident in his life, that God was with him. What a testimony? 3 times we find the confirmation that the Lord was with Him.
1. For David - the battle was the Lord’s
2. For Daniel - the Lord put wisdom on him, and with him in the lion’s den
3. For the Hebrew Children - The Lord was the 4th man in the fire
And in verse two, it is clear that the presence of the Lord was evident.
B. The Unavoidable Success - Everything Joseph was touched by God.
1. The Prosperity - God made all he did to be profitable, even in his storm. God is watching in our storms! And will bless our obedience, even in our storms!
2. The Promotion - DON’T MISS THIS - He was such a great SERVANT, that he became the LEADER! He served so well, he was made the leader of the entire household. The very principle that Jesus taught. Mark 10:44 "And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Joseph was in a storm, but still bloomed where he was Planted! In the midst of the storm, Joseph stayed faithful.
II. Joseph’s Confrontation - vs. 7-12 There is not a person who has ever lived, including Jesus Himself, that has not faced temptation! Our temptation may not necessarily be like Joseph, but we can all have his determination.
A. Unholy Attraction - wicked woman - the sin that attacked him was the sin promiscuity. Joseph would have fought off lust. He rejected this woman, as if he had heard the words of Solomon to his own son, in speaking of a seductive woman - Prov. 7:24 "Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths." Many attacks come.
1. We may face Physical temptation - the lust of the flesh (Joseph)
2. We may face Material Temptation - the lust for things (lust of the eyes)
3. We may face Acceptance Temptation- the lust for fame or position
(pride of life), lust for a position at work, ministry, life - popularity.
B. Unrelenting Attack - vs. 10 temptation is going to attack - repeatedly!
1. The Encircling of Sin - There was a sin that was surrounding him! Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," Speaks of sin that surrounds us!
2. The Entrapment of Sin - this wicked woman attacked at the weakest time
vs. 11 - It was the time that Joseph was the most vulnerable. Be prepared!
C. The Unshakable Allegiance
1. Joseph had an Allegiance to His Master - vs. 8
2. Joseph had an Allegiance to His God - vs. 9
Notice vs. 9 - Joseph confessed this sin would be against GOD! When we sin, we may hurt others, and we will - but we sin against GOD!
David sinned against Uriah, Bathsheba, the army and nation of Israel - but those paled in comparison to the one he truly sinned against - He confessed in Psalms 51:4 "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." Joseph admitted that sin would not only have EARTHLY casualties and pain, but ETERNAL effects!
1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
III. Joseph’s Calamity - vs. 13-23 The accusation against him was false, but he had no answer. Now what was a place of comfort in the midst of his own storm, would be ripped out from under his feet! Now he faced a battle in the midst of his storm. It was not bad enough to be a slave, and face temptation. He had resisted, and now in his life - IT APPEARED HIS FAITHFULNESS DID NOT MATTER!
A. The Unfounded Lies - vs. 13-19 - He was not only tempted, but now he was trapped! The word of a slave was worth nothing.
1. Her Charges were fueled by Prejudice - this Jew my husband brought
More than likely, there had been some whispering in the house! She used it.
2. Her Charges were based upon Selfishness - when she did not get what she wanted - She attacked!
- Words Matter - Something does not have to be true to damage!
James 3:5 "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
- God hates slander - Psalms 101:5 "Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer."
If someone speaks with the intent of hurting another, God hates it!
When Potiphar’s wife could not get what she wanted, she decided to hurt Joseph.
B. The Undeserved Arrest - vs. 20
1. The Place - Some commentaries believe that Potiphar was over the prison - MaClaren - “Potiphar was ‘captain of the guard,’ or, as the title literally runs, chief of the executioners. In that capacity he had charge of the prison, which was connected with his house.” It was a place of those that committed treason.
2. The Persecution - Joseph did not deserve his storm (bad conditions, possible torture). Joseph went from comfort to this prison. Psalm 105:17 "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:"
Potiphar must have doubted because Joseph was not killed! The prejudice and attack of this wicked woman forced action. But no doubt - She would be seen for what she was. We know that Joseph would be seen for what he was! Just a thought, but Potiphar and his wife are never mentioned again. Can you imagine their fear, if they were still alive, when Joseph was elevated to VP? We all will live in such a way that eventually everyone will know who we are!
C. The Unfailing Lord - God was still watching! - vs. 21
THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH! Yet Joseph was still in Prison.
It reminds me of Job, as I mentioned recently - Job 23:8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Joseph may have felt this way, but the Lord was with him and gave favor!
D. The Unwavering Servant - vs. 22-23
Joseph was faithful with what he had in his hand - even though it was in prison! Even though he was falsely accused. He was faithful!
You are not happy with your path or place in life - the question is:
Are you faithful with what God has placed in your hand?
Concl. He was not merely faithful in the face of temptation, he was faithful in the midst of the Storm - AND GOD WAS ALWAYS THERE!
In the Midst of the storm - one that was not enjoyable, Joseph found faithful.
Sometimes we will face storms we do not deserve, oh, that we would recognize the grace in the midst of those storms.
Do you know Him? Are you Right with Him?
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
