FREEDOM TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE
Genesis 39:1-23
Joseph was the next to youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons. Joseph had to face much to get his freedom as a ruler but he was free all the time because God was with him. Can it be said of you the lord is with you? He came from a great home but a father who favored him and this made his brothers hate him. As we meet Joseph in Genesis 39 his circumstances are not good at all. Upon coming to Egypt, Joseph was purchased as a slave by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guards. He had gone down from being a privileged son of a wealthy herdsman to being a slave. Circumstances were not good for Joseph, but there is an encouraging thought found here in verse 2. The Lord was with Joseph, but Joseph did not use this fact as an excuse for not doing his best. Because the Lord was with Joseph, he demonstrated certain qualities that should be true of us, if the Lord is with us. You have some responsibilities because God is with you? One of the biggest responsibilities that you have is to live a changed life in His power. Let us look at the tests he came under and learn that we can withstand tests if we like him have the stamp of "the Lord was with Joseph." I would like to make it known here that God was with Joseph because Joseph choose to let God be with him.
1. The first TEST WAS ONE OF ADVERSITY. Trials and temptations involve both God and Satan and we can expect them. Satan is out t o ruin us and God wants to make us holy. God had given Joseph a dream two times that one day he would become a ruler over many. He thought it would be good to share it with his family but that was a mistake. His brothers became very jealous and plotted his death. He was only 17 when his brothers caught him and threw him in a dry hole to die. His hopes were raised when they raise him out of the hole but they sold him to some salve traders. He was a favored son a short time before and now he was one of many slaves with seeming no hope. He was sold to an Egyptian and was surrounded by pomp and beauty. His master saw that he was favored by God and made him to be the top man in his household affairs. Still he was a slave over other slaves. The lord was with him and in this test he was used of God because he was free from the pleasures and desires of this world. Can it be said of you the lord is with you? He still believed that God was in control.
2. THE TEST OF ALLUREMENT. Joseph has done well and now has reached the age of 27. He is quite handsome and now faces another test of his godliness. It would seem as you read this story that all things were working together to make it easy to sin. He was a slave living in a polluted society, was away from home, family and friends and no one to help him. Along comes his boss’s wife and she likes him. She is a slave to sin so does not feel bad about her doings. She comes to tempt him. It was totally unexpected. It came at an unexpected time for it seems to us that everything was going right for Joseph as a slave. He entered the house just to do his household duties and there she was. You have found as I have that temptation does not wait until we are ready for it with a good defense. Could we even say that it comes like lightening that we have no control? It was a daily repeated recurrence. Those who would have been around him would not have faulted him for giving in. vs.9 "No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God." It would have been a favorable opportunity. The place was clear. There was no one else around and who would know? It could have been to Joseph’s personal advantage to have his master’s wife. He refused and it would cost him. Desire is not a wrong thing and temptation is not a sin or Jesus would have been a sinful man for He was tempted. If we walk into temptation knowingly we forfeit our right for divine help. He did not spend any more time with this woman than he had to get his work done. When the day came that she got aggressive he fled as she grabbed his cloak. The temptation was upon him and he ran away. The Lord was with Joseph. Can it be said of you the lord is with you?
What factors do we gain from this victory? A. He was loyal to God. B. He was shocked with the sin. C. He preserved for he was in the habit walking in fellowship with God. D. his mind was not conditioned for a fall. His mind was on heavenly things therefore the pleasures did not appeal to him. Can it be said of you the lord is with you?
Soon Joseph found himself in prison. "What of my dreams now? Does it pay to be godly?" Now Joseph was far away from his dreams. Listen "He took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held. [21] But the Lord was with Joseph there, too, and he granted Joseph favor with the chief jailer. [22] Before long, the jailer put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. [23] The chief jailer had no more worries after that, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully." He did not become bitter with the hardness of his life at this time but these things made him a better man. He helped a man get released and hope seemed to again be likelihood. For two years nothing came of his helping this man. God then sent another dream but this time it was to the Pharaoh. God gave Joseph the meaning of the dream and after 13 years of trials and temptations Joseph saw his first dreams fulfilled and he became second in charge to the Pharaoh.
3. THE TEST OF ADVANCEMENT. Now he was a success what would he do with his life now that he had power? He was thirty years old and found himself as high as he could go. He was to rule the people in how to prepare for the future for hard days were to come. At 37 years when famine came his 10 brothers came to ask Joseph for food. He had waited 20 years for this chance to be over his mean brothers. They did not know who he was and he tested them. When they finally confessed to their wrongdoing Joseph was able to give them land to live in with all their families. He had the power to destroy his brothers but he did not. When their father dies they thought he would do them in. Listen "But Joseph told them "Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? [20] As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people." Can it be said of you the lord is with you?
Let learn three truths to take with us about our freedom in God
I. BE CONSCIENTIOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
Joseph had been mistreated by His brothers and sold into slavery. He could have had a bad attitude because of the mistreatment. He did his best and God prospered Him. Joseph was active. He did his work well. God wants to bless those who work hard. Pro. 13:4 "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied." It was clear to Potiphar that God was with Joseph. He could see the achievement that God was giving Joseph. Joseph was put in charge of everything that Potiphar had in the house and in the fields. Joseph was trustworthy. "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." If we can do something in the name of Jesus, we should be doing it. If we can not be done in the name of Jesus is does not need to be done. Let us ask ourselves conscientiously, "Can I honestly do what I want to do in the name of the Lord Jesus?" Whatever we do is to be done heartily, with enthusiasm. Can it be said of you the lord is with you?
II. BE COURAGEOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU.
It would have been easy for him to have given in to the sexual advances of his master’s wife. Out of convenience it would have been quite simple to give into the master’s wife. Joseph refused because his master trusted Him as. Who is putting their trust in you today? Joseph was bold enough to state that the sin was against God! Do you know why some fall into sin? They fail to identify it as wickedness and sin against God! Joseph had to say "no" more than once. We are to call sin for what it is, sin is against God! God is with us and we need to run from temptation. We might not see but it is God who will provide a way of escape. It would be nice to say that everything turns out well when we say no to sin. Joseph ended up a prisoner because of saying "no" to sin. We will answer to God for our actions.
III. BE CONSISTENT BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
There is many a person who has stopped doing what is right because it got them in trouble. It would have been easy for Joseph to just give up and stop serving God because doing right got him in trouble. Do you think he became distressed? Was he very angry at the unfairness? Was he defeated? No! Did he give up on God? No! God did not deliver Joseph from jail because God had a plan that involved the jail. Whatever we are involved in it is because God wants us to be there for Him. God may not deliver you right away from suffering for what is right. Joseph remained faithful to God through all of his life. He was dependable. Remember this God is keeping score. God knows when you’ve been mistreated. God will settle the score in his time whether it be in this life or at Judgment Day. If you have stood for what is right and have been falsely accused, continue to be faithful! Continue to be consistent! Romans 12:19-21 "Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. [20] Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you." [21] Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.1 Corinthians 4:21 Cor. Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
BE COURAGEOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
BE CONSCIENTIOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
BE CONSISTENT BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
Can it be said of you the Lord is with you like it was said of Joseph? If you are free as God sets us free no matter where you are or what situation you find yourself the Lord will be with you. That is true freedom.
