Joseph pt.2: The Son Tested (Genesis 39-40) REVIEW: “I will go to my grave mourning for my son…” - Genesis 37:35 (NLT) Jacob sent Joseph on a mission to check on his sheep, but Joseph was betrayed by his own when his stepbrothers plotted and sold him into slavery. • The 10 brothers conspired together to cover-up their crime by deceiving their father Jacob,covering Joseph’s colorful robe with goat’s blood. • For 22 years Jacob will grieve and believe Joseph was eaten by wild animals. • Just 100 miles away, inside the border of Egypt, Joseph is alive. • All is not lost. • God’s good and wise hand of providence is at work in history. Psalm 105:17 (NLT), “Then he [God] sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” • The Psalmist reminds us that history has an upper and lower story. • The lower story of Joseph is betrayal, injustice, slavery, chains, bruises, and broken dreams. • But, the upper story of Joseph is God’s providence. Joseph is not just sold into slavery; he is sent to Egypt ahead of his family. • In Egypt his dreams will be fulfilled and his character will be tested. John Lennox, “We are to see the providence of God behind what befalls Joseph. We must recognize God’s providence in our lives as well, because there are times when we may find ourselves so weak and alone, when things aren’t going smoothly, that we imagine that the Lord has left us. Yet it is not so.” • God’s providence means He sees ahead of us. • God’s care and plans include our today and our tomorrow. • As one creed says, “… God upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures, all actions, and all things.” (Westminster). Two things can both be true at the same time. • God will providentially care for Joseph while at the same time put Joseph to the test. Joseph will be tested in three ways Successful in Slavery Genesis 39:2 (NLT), “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did….5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake.” Why is Joseph having success even as a slave? Promise Presence Positive Impact Service Witness Jeremiah 29:7, “...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.” • Joseph passed his first test in Egypt. • As Potiphar prospered, so did he. • He was faithful in little. In time, He will be faithful in much. Faithful in Temptation. Genesis 39:7, “Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. ‘Come and sleep with me,’ she demanded. 8 But Joseph refused…. ‘my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 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 do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.’” Joseph has a high view of marriage. Joseph has no authority to be with Potiphar’s wife. He knows God’s ideal for marriage – one man and one woman – faithful for life. Joseph has earned Potiphar’s trust. This is of greater value than a tryst with his wife. Joseph takes a moral stand. He tells Potiphar’s wife that sleeping with her, would be a wicked thing, a great sin against God (and also God’s blessing on her house). Joseph flees! 2b. Faithful in Temptation. Genesis 39:11,“One day, however, when no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, ‘Come on, sleep with me!’ Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.” Potiphar’s wife shows no mercy on Joseph: • She cries, “rape” to the other servants. • She blames Potiphar, (it was his idea to bring Joseph into the house). • She makes a racist insult (the Hebrew slave made a fool of us). Prospering in Prison. Genesis 39:21, “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love… 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge… 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” • There is no way to know how long Joseph was in prison. • It was long enough for Joseph to distinguish himself again and rise to 2nd in command under the warden of the prison. • Again, Joseph prospers in prison because the Lord is with him, just as the Lord was with him as a slave in Potiphar’s house. • As Joseph prospers the warden prospers. He has no worries. At this point, we must stop and admire Joseph’s faith. • Joseph wastes no time in self-pity and protesting. He trusts God and prospers whatever happens to him. • The new MN curriculum standards recommend teaching students to protest – even in the early elementary grades. • What we ought to be teaching students is how to prosper and trust in God’s providence, even when life is unfair. Joseph interprets two dreams and both interpretations came true. This proves Joseph still believes God controls the present and the future. • Joseph asked the cupbearer to mention him to Pharoah and help him out of prison. But, Joseph in prison, two more years! Genesis 40:23 (NLT) “Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.” • Joseph passed all three tests covering 13 years of life (From age 17-30). • Clearly God was with Joseph and blessing Joseph in every trial, test and temptation. • But, we must admit, this is not our idea of a blessed life! Is it? Or, should it be? • James 1:12 (NLT), “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”