Genesis 39

 

Big Idea of the Series

Because God is at work in every detail of your life, you can trust Him through every season—confident that He’s unfolding His bigger purpose in your life.

 

What made Joseph a man of integrity? Here are five truth we learn about integrity from Joseph. 

  1. Joseph had a close relationship with God (vv. 1-2). … Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, bought Joseph as a slave. This could have been a terrifying experience. He was alone except he wasn't alone because the Lord was with him. 
  2. Joseph’s obedience blessed others (vv. 3-5). … The obedience Joseph showed to God was a source of blessing for his master. Joseph worked hard and obeyed God and it was clear to Potiphar that the Lord was with Joseph, and that such obedience to his Lord, made everything Joseph oversaw to flourish. 
  3. Joseph resisted temptation (vv. 6-12). … Things had gone well for Joseph and he ran the entire house. That's when Potiphar's wife approached and tempted Joseph, but Joseph resisted, saying he would not break the trust Potiphar had placed in him, nor would he sin against God. The wife was persistent, but Joseph kept resisting. He didn't drop his guard after the first defense. Joseph understood that there are no secret sins; God sees all, so he ran from temptation and didn't even flirt with it. 
  4. Joseph was falsely accused and unjustly punished (vv. 13-20). … Eventually, Potiphar's wife caught hold of his garment and held onto it as he ran away. She used the garment to accuse Joseph of attacking her. Joseph was thrown in prison based on a false accusation. It seems likely that Potiphar didn't fully believe his wife's story since he didn't just have Joseph killed, but he had to save his reputation and threw Joseph in prison. 
  5. Joseph didn’t let his circumstances make him bitter (vv. 21-23). … Joseph was wrongly imprisoned but the Lord was still with him and Joseph was put in charge of the other prisoners. Joseph could have moped about and complained of being falsely imprisoned, but he kept working and obeying God and he was granted success and blessings. 

 

Christ Connection

The life of Joseph points forward to the the gospel of Jesus. … Joseph wasn't perfect; he made mistakes, but he points us towards One who is perfect, Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus had a close relationship with the Father. Like Joseph, Jesus lived in obedience to God and that obedience was a blessing for others. Like Joseph, Jesus resisted powerful temptations. Like Joseph, Jesus was unjustly accused and punished. Like Joseph, Jesus endured His punishment and didn't grow bitter but obeyed the Father. 

 

For Further Study/Resources Used to Prepare This Message

  • Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness by Charles Swindoll
  • Genesis: Beginning and Blessing by R. Kent Hughes
  • NIV Application Commentary by John Walton
  • The Story of God Bible Commentary by Tremper Longman III
  • Walking with God in Pain & Suffering by Tim Keller
  • Trusting God by Jerry Bridges