Title: Joseph: A Tried, Tested, Triumphant Faith! (Part 2)
IV. The PRESERVATIVE of Joseph’s life?
a) GOD WAS WITH HIM
b) GOD WAS PROTECTING HIM!
c) God was PRESERVING HIM!
i. Through the intervention of Reuben – Gen. 37:21-22.
ii. Judah’s idea to sell Joseph as a slave – Gen. 37:26-26.
iii. The appearance of the Ishmaelite traders – Gen. 37:28.
iv. The fact that he was sold to Potiphar – Gen. 37:36
d) GOD WAS PROSPERING HIM!
Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph [4] [result?] so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Genesis 39:5B the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.
Psalm 23:1a The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want... ea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
e) IT IS THERE THAT THE PROTECTION AND THE PROVISION OF GOD IS- BUT IT ALSO MEANS, AND DON’T MISS THIS…
d) GOD WAS PROTECTING HIM, PRESERVING HIM, PROVIDING FOR HIM, BUT ALSO PROVING HIM AND PERFECTING HIM, MOLDING HIM, AND SHAPING HIM INTO THE MAN THAT GOD HAD APPOINTED AND ANOINTED HIM TO BE!!
f) God cannot entrust big things to small people – He must stretch them, into size! Let’s…..look at…
V. The PURITY – of Joseph’s life!!
Genesis 39:6 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!”
A) Perspective?
1. Joseph could have gave in to a sexually immoral culture.
a) An article I recently read stated something interesting about sexual immorality:
Modern culture has tried to redefine sexuality as a personal right to be exercised any way an individual wishes. Sexual behavior is considered a personal choice, akin to the decision of whether to buy a house or rent a condo… The only sexual expression considered “wrong” is what is deemed distasteful to the definer. However, social acceptability varies so greatly that even the vilest of acts would be considered justified by many. So, before we can determine why sexual sin is such a big deal, we have to define sexual sin.
Fortunately, man has never been given the privilege of defining sin. The One who created sexuality also has the right to set the boundaries for it, and the Bible is clear about the guidelines. When God created the first man, Adam, and brought to him the first woman, Eve, He joined them together in marriage and pronounced it “very good” (Genesis 1:31; 2:18, 24). At that time, God introduced sexuality and set the boundaries for its expression. God created a union between a husband and wife that He called “becoming one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:8; Ephesians 5:31). He then defined any sexual activity outside of the husband-wife relationship as a violation of His gift.
2. Anyway…..JOSEPH followed the BIBLICAL MANDATE!
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
TITUS 2: 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Genesis 39:8 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?”
B) Proof!
1. That statement was made in the Patriarchal Age.
a) The era before the law was given – it therefore proves Paul’s point in:
Romans 2: 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
b) Law (God’s requirement’s are not yet etched in stone, but upon the human heart!
c) Man is after all, made in God’s image and likeness!
d) It also proves something else:
C) PERSISTENCE!
1. TEMPTATION IS NOT A ONE TIME EXPERIENCE – IT WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE!
2. AS LONG AS THERE IS A TEMPTER THERE WILL BE TEMPTATION!
Luke 4: 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Genesis 39: 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
Genesis 39: 11 One day [however -it all came to a head] 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.
b) Right response:
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
c) But what ultimately happens?
Genesis 39:13 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.
d) Result?
Genesis 39:20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
C) Prison!!!
1. For a crime he didn’t commit – I thought the Lord was with him??
a) HE WAS!!
Genesis 39:20 But while Joseph was there in the prison,[5] 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.
D) Point?
1. Prison was a part of the plan!
2. What is the…
E) Perspective – we need when we find ourselves in a similar predicament?
Romans 8: 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, [FALSE ACCUSATIONS, BETRAYLS, BEING SOLD OUT BY YOUR OWN BRETHREN] will [NOT] be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.-NIV
Please note….
VI. THE PERSEVERANCE in Joseph’s life!
WHAT A MODEL OF WHAT IT MEANS TO PERSEVERE AND LIVE BY FAITH!!!
A) Persevere?
Genesis 39: 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.
Q: Why – because he was still with the lord!!
B) Principal??
1. Joseph kept doing the right thing, in the wrong place!
a) He still followed the Lord in those confusing, challenging, “unfair” episodes of his life!
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3: 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
1 Peter 2: 9 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
2. That is a principal that is indiscriminate across the board!
a) So where does the perseverance show up?
Notice the..
C) Pace – of the narrative:
Genesis 40:1 Some time later, [ which is a very vague definition of a passage of time] the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.
After they had been in custody for some time, 5 each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
D) Principal?
Galatians 6: 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1. Joseph didn’t focus on his pain, he reached out to others!
Genesis 40:8a “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”
2. Joseph – could have said – Dreams I don’t want to talk about dreams, dreams got me into the dungeon!
a) But he didn’t!
3. Principal?
1 Corinthians 15: 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
2 Corinthians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Genesis 40:8a Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
Romans 12: 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Genesis 40:9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”
Genesis 40:12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.
Genesis 40: 16 When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” 18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”
4. Joseph had enough guts, gumption, and integrity to tell him the truth!
a) Rare in today’s preaching!
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Anyway what happens next is what I would call
VII. THE Predictable in Joseph’s life!!!
Genesis 40:14 But when all goes well with you, [Mr. Cupbearer] remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
A) Predictable?
Genesis 40:20 Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.
Genesis 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
1. Joseph was forgotten by man!
B) Pace?
1. How long?
Genesis 41:1a When two full years had passed,
C) Point?
1. Though man forgets us, God does not!
Isaiah 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." (ESV)
2. All of This pain—family betrayal, slavery, false accusation, prison, years of being forgotten—was part of the Almighty’s divine training. Which Joseph needed this preparation for the huge job about to be placed on him.
D) Pinnacle moment!
1. God intervenes again, in a dream!!
Genesis 41:1b Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
Genesis 41:8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Which leads to..
IX. THE PROMOTION of Joseph!
A) PROMOTION? How did it come?
1. GOD GIVES A DREAM
2. AND MAN FINALLY REMEMBERS!
GENESIS 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13a And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I
GENESIS 41:14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
3. Not a bad idea- look your best if your going for a job interview!!
GENESIS 41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
B) Humility of Joseph!
GENESIS 41:16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
GENESIS 41:25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
Genesis 41:28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
C) Wisdom of Joseph?
Genesis 41:33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
1. It was a godly wisdom!
James 3:17 However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
a) He peaceably, gently, mercifully told his captors how to survive!
Jeremiah 29: 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon…7b seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Genesis 41:37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
D) Promotion of Joseph!
1. Basis of his promotion?
Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
2. He was “Spirit-filled!”
Isa 11:2 (NIV)
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Genesis 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
James Luther - Ever notice how people usually trust a genuinely spiritual man? He developed that character by following the Lord during all the confusing times in his life. God always blesses those who follow Him, even though it may not be evident or visible right away.
3. To what degree? OFFICIALLY!!
Genesis 41: 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
X. THE PROGRESSION of Joseph!
A) Progression?
1. From a pit, to a prison, to a palace!
2. IT WAS A 13 YEAR PAINFUL, PERPLEXING, PATIENCE DEMANDING PILGRIMAGE FROM A PIT – TO A PRISON – TO A PALACE!
XI. THE PROTOTYPE – JOSEPH
A) PROTOTYPE - a first, typical or preliminary model of something, OR SOMEONE!
1. WHO?
2. JESUS CHRIST – HIMSELF!!
B) Parallels in Joseph’s character and life:
Genesis 41: 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
1. HOW DOES THAT PARALLEL THE LIFE OF CHRIST?
Luke 3:23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph
a) AW Pink lists 60 of them!
b) Several:
Genesis 37:
1. Joseph was a shepherd (37:2); Jesus is the Great Shepherd (John 10).
2. Joseph was opposed to and exposed evil (37:2); Jesus did the same.
3. Joseph was loved by the his father (37:3-4); Jesus was beloved by the Father.(Mat. 3:17; 17:5; John 10:17; Philippians 2:9)
4. Joseph was hated by his brothers (37:4); Jesus was hated by His brothers (John 1:11; Luke 19:14).
5. Joseph was hated for his words (37:8); Jesus was hated for His words of truth. (John 7:7; 3:32)
6. Joseph was promised a remarkable future (37:7-12); Jesus looked passed the cross to the joy set before Him (Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:31-33; Hebrews 12:2).
7. Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers (37:13); Jesus was sent to the ‘lost sheep of Israel,’ by His father (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; 12:48-50; 17:21)
9. Joseph like Jesus was:
He is the object of his father’s special love.
He had promises of divine exaltation.
He was mocked by his family.
He was sold for pieces of silver.
He was stripped of his robe.
He was delivered up to the Gentiles.
He was falsely accused.
He was faithful amid temptation.
He was thrown into prison.
He stood before rulers.
His power was acknowledged by those in authority.
He saves his rebellious brothers from death when they realize who he is.
He is exalted after and through humiliation.
He embraces God’s purpose even though it brings him intense physical harm.
He is the instrument God uses at the hands of the Gentiles to bless his people.
He welcomes Gentiles to be part of his family.
XII. THE LIFE PRINCIPLE regarding the story of Joseph
GENESIS 41:50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
A) Principle?
J. Arrowsmith. - Every vessel of mercy must be scoured in order to brightness. And however trees in the wilderness may grow without cultivation, trees in the garden must be pruned to be made fruitful;
John 15: 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I think that the last, most amazing Christ- like attribute of Joseph is this:
XIII. The Pardon of Joseph
A) Basis?
B) Belief! (Theology)
C) HIS Brothers come sent by Jacob – looking for food
1. They don’t recognize that it is him!
a) They go down to Egypt twice to get food
b) Thru a series of events they are reminded of the wrong they did to him!
Gen 42:28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
Gen 42:21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen;
c) Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers:
Genesis 45: 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
1. JOSEPH NOW HAD A CHOICE TO CHOOSE REVENGE? OR RECONCILIATION!
2. JUSTICE OR MERCY?
Genesis 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
3. He chose reconciliation and mercy!
Q: Why? How?
He had learned to handle bitterness by believing that God was in control of all things and was working out His perfect will. Learning this will change your life.
The next time you go through a serious problem, stop and think to yourself: God is working in my life right now!!
