THREE COATS
GENESIS 37:3-4
INTRODUCTION: Throughout the Bible coats are mentioned a number of times. God made Adam and Eve coats of skins after their fall in the garden. Elisha desired the mantle or coat of Elijah, which was used in performing many miracles. The Roman soldiers gambled for the robe or outer coat of Christ. Probably the most familiar coat was Joseph¡¦s coat of many colors. But this was just one of three coats that had significance in the life of Joseph. Let us consider Joseph¡¦s three coats.
I. THE COAT OF CONFERMENT AND CONTENTION (Genesis 37:3-4)
A. God distinguished His grace to Joseph separating him from his brothers in a number of ways.
1. In his character, his communications, and in the events of his life.
2. In his father¡¦s affection
„h Genesis 37:3 "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors."
B. The Coat of Conferment.
1. A Tunic with long sleeves and reaching down to the ankles ¡V worn by children of the upper ranks and by those who were in positions of authority or oversight. It was not a work garment but that of a superior.
2. In conferring this distinction Jacob marked Joseph as the heir to whom the forfeited birthright of Reuben was to be transferred.
3. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. [2] For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:)"
C. A Coat of Contention.
1. The result of the conferment of the coat was that Joseph¡¦s brothers hated him.
„h Genesis 37:4 "And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him."
2. They hated him so much that they could not address him in a civil manner, wish him well or offer him the customary salutation ¡§Shalom¡¨.
3. They envied him intensifying their hatred for him.
4. Joseph added fuel to the fire by relating, in a somewhat arrogant manner, his dreams to his brothers and to his father that they would do homage to Joseph. Note Jacob¡¦s reaction in verse 10 "And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked (Hebrew ga¡¦arI ¡V literally to scream at) him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?"
5. What was to be a blessing became a point of contention.
D. The Believer¡¦s privileged Position and Chosenness.
1. Christ has chosen you as the object of His love and grace.
„h John 15:16-19 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you¡K¡¨
„h You ought to celebrate your chosenness constantly. This means saying "thank you" to God for having chosen you, and "thank you" to all who remind you of your chosenness. Realize that you are not an "accident," but a divine choice.
2. Christ has made you His heirs of grace
„h Romans 8:15-17 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
3. He has given you His coat of righteousness
„h 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
E. The world hates you for your chosenness
1. John 15:19 " If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
2. John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
E. Many unwisely add fuel to the fire by false pride and arrogance.
1. Some people get so caught up in their own holiness that they look at the Trinity for a possible vacancy. ¡V (John MacArthur, Leadership, Vol. 7, no. 2.)
2. There is a false boldness for Christ that only comes from pride. A man may rashly expose himself to the world’s dislike and even deliberately provoke its displeasure out of nothing more than his pride and arrogance.
3. Pride is spiritual cancer.
4. Proverbs 28:25 "He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat."
II. THE COAT OF COMPROMISE AND CONVICTION (Genesis 39:1-20)
A. Joseph was blessed and prospered
1. Genesis 39:1-4 "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither. [2] And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. [3] And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
2. Instead of wallowing in self-pity having been sold into slavery in Egypt Joseph was a testimony to Potiphar¡¦s house of the true and living God.
3. He was diligent in what was set before him and God prospered him.
4. Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) Your success and happiness lie in you. External conditions are the accidents of life. The great enduring realities are love and service. Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulty.
5. Psalms 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."
6. Joseph is given the coat of the overseer of Potiphar¡¦s house.
„h Genesis 39:4 "And Joseph found grace in his (Potiphar¡¦s) sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand."
B. Joseph was tempted to compromise
1. When God is working and blessing the Devil usually isn¡¦t far behind.
2. Potiphar¡¦s wife burnt with lust for Joseph and sought to entice him.
a. Genesis 39:6-7 "And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored. [7] And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me."
b. Genesis 39:10 "And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph DAY BY DAY, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her."
c. Genesis 39:11-13 "And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. [12] And she caught him by his garment (long loose mantle or coat), saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. [13] And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,"
3. The strength of the temptation
a. He was a young man in his twenties with normal sexual desires.
b. Potiphar¡¦s wife was an important and powerful woman who could help Joseph with her influence in Pharaoh¡¦s court.
c. It would be in his best interests not to offend her ¡V there was danger in offending someone who held so high a position. - By yielding to temptation one may lose in a moment what it took him a lifetime to gain.
d. It was a daily assault. ¡V Someone has said that opportunity knocks only once, yet temptation bangs on the door constantly.
e. It was very convenient ¡V they were alone.
f. As she held his coat she was calling Joseph to compromise his beliefs and standards.
C. Joseph stood by his convictions
1. Joseph refused to compromise because his coat was one of trust. His master trusted in him
„h Genesis 39:8-9 "But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master knows not along with me what is in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. [9] There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
2. Joseph refused to compromise because he saw yielding to the temptation for what it was ¡V a heinous act of wickedness.
a. Genesis 39:9b ¡§¡Khow then can I do this great wickedness¡K¡¨
b. Temptation usually comes packaged as a good, but in reality is pure evil.
c. Joseph said illicit sex was not an alternate lifestyle, an expression of nature, sexual freedom, but immoral, adultery, wicked, sin.
d. People want to replace any references to "sin" with terms like "moral failure," and "momentary lapse." Many already are, as the modern rendering of Romans 3.23--from the SMNAV (Shirley MacLaine New Age Version)--illustrates: "For all have experienced momentary lapses and have come up a tad shy of the Divine Entity’s absolute ideal, but hey, nobody’s perfect. So don’t worry. Be Happy!"
3. Joseph refused to compromise because he knew that it would impair his relationship with God.
a. Genesis 39:9b ¡§¡Khow then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
b. Sin cuts the heart of God and hurts our relationship with God.
c. Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
d. There is no way to kill a man’s righteousness but by his own consent. John Bunyan (1628-1688)
D. Joseph standing by his convictions fled temptation
1. Promptly ¡V Martin Luther said, ¡§Temptations, of course, cannot be avoided, but because we cannot prevent the birds from flying over our heads, there is no need that we should let them nest in our hair.¡¨
2. Firmly without wavering ¡V Flee temptation and don’t leave a forwarding address.
E. Every temptation is an opportunity to flee to God.
„h 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. THE COAT OF CREDIBILITY AND COMPENSATION (Genesis 41:15-16, 38-45)
A. There is no length to which the fierce resentment of a wicked woman like Potiphar¡¦s wife will not proceed against those who reject her advances. She fabricates a charge of attempted rape against Joseph.
B. After being imprisoned for two years following his conviction of attempted rape by Potiphar¡¦s wife Joseph is summoned to interpret the dream of Pharaoh.
„h Genesis 41:14-16 "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. [15] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ¡¥it is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace."
C. Joseph remained the humble servant of God ¡V note his answer to Pharaoh in verse 16 when he says ¡¨ ¡¥it is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace (literally not I Elohim shall answer the peace of Pharaoh)¡¨. He had not forgotten God and God had not forgotten him. God was now going to work out all things for the sake of His servant and follower.
„h Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
D. God gave Joseph the interpretation of the dream and the wisdom and competency to help Pharaoh and Egypt through the seven years of drought and famine that ravaged the earth.
„h Genesis 41:29-31 "Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. [30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land. [31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous."
„h Genesis 41:33-36 "Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. [36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine."
„h 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
E. God elevated Joseph in Egypt and gave him a COAT OF CREDIBILITY AND COMPENSATION for his faithfulness and perseverance.
1. Genesis 41:38-46 "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? [39] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. [40] Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. [41] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. [42] And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. [43] And he made him to ride in the second chariot, which he had. And they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. [44] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. [45] And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. [46] And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt."
2. Joseph had been faithful and was rewarded or compensated accordingly with both honor and opportunity.
3. James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
4. Joseph was promoted to prime minister of all of Egypt, gave him authority to sign all legal documents for Egypt, a coat of a Superior of the court of Pharaoh, and the protection of Pharaoh (verse 44).
5. The reward of service is more service.- D.L. Moody, Christian History, no. 25
F. Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
G. There are, in every situation, two factors: there is what happens, and there is how we take what happens. How we take what happens goes back to what kind of person we are, and what kind of belief we have about life as a whole. If the whole scheme of life is not a scheme at all but a chaos, if there is no thread of purpose running through it all but only confusion, then our misfortunes are just part of the general mess. But if God is, and if life is His creation, with meaning in the middle of it, then we may hope to discover a pattern which will both give coherence to it all and help to interpret any one event in the unfoldment. - Sam Shoemaker quoted in "I Stand By the Door." Christianity Today, Vol. 29, no. 18.
H. Donald Barnhouse - It is our business to see that we do right; God will see that we come out right.
I. Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
