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Genesis 39
39 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”
19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: This week we will continue our series in the book of Genesis by focusing on God’s gracious presence in the life of Joseph. Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers back in Genesis 37, now gains favor from God while in Egypt under Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph is soon granted an overseeing role in Potiphar’s household while also enjoying much success because of God’s gracious favor. Soon after being granted this position in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife takes an interest in Joseph and tries to convince him to sin by lying with her. Joseph refuses to practice such wickedness and to sin against God. Ultimately, we will see that Joseph is wrongfully thrown into prison after righteously rejecting Potiphar’s wife as she falsely accuses Joseph of sinful acts he refused to commit. But God’s favor continues and His presence never wavers as Joseph becomes a leader in prison, used by God to accomplish His sovereign and providential purposes for His good.
Review & Apply
How does the passage we studied last week in Genesis 38 compare to our passage this week in Genesis 39? What similarities and differences do you see?
The phrase “the Lord was with Joseph/him” is used 4 different times in this passage. What does this reveal about the character of God and His presence? (v.2, 3, 20, 23)
How does this passage remind you of God’s faithfulness?
What does this passage teach about Joseph's favor and success? Should this affect how we see our own success? Why/why not?
Does sin affect ourselves, man, or God most? Is it important for us to see sin as a direct offense to God? Why/why not? (v.9)
How would you define sin? What does this passage teach us about the nature of sin?
How would you describe the nature of temptation? How does Joseph overcome temptation in this passage??
How have you seen triumph and tragedy so far in Joseph’s life? Do you agree that the Lord is present in both triumph and tragedy? Why/why not?
How does this passage continue to reveal to us the mysterious providence of God?
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