Have you ever felt Have you ever felt abandoned?abandoned?

Have you ever been Have you ever been punished punished

for doing what is right?for doing what is right?

Have you ever been falsely Have you ever been falsely accused?accused?

Have you ever thought,Have you ever thought,““God, do you know what you are God, do you know what you are

doing?”doing?”

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt.

Undeserved #1 statusUndeserved #1 statusHated by his brothersHated by his brothersBeaten and soldBeaten and soldDeclared to be deadDeclared to be deadLost literally everythingLost literally everything

You would think that he would have given You would think that he would have given up on God and integrity altogether.up on God and integrity altogether.

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Joseph, former daddy’s boy, has become a Joseph, former daddy’s boy, has become a commodity. commodity. Can you get much lower? Can you get much lower?

Potipher ~ Chief of the Executioner-types. Potipher ~ Chief of the Executioner-types. Think of a big strong men with killing Think of a big strong men with killing

tools.tools.

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As Joseph became a part of Potipher, Inc., he was As Joseph became a part of Potipher, Inc., he was assimilated into the household as a trusted manager. assimilated into the household as a trusted manager. We can figure that this process took some time as We can figure that this process took some time as he would have needed to become proficient in the he would have needed to become proficient in the language of the Egyptians.language of the Egyptians.

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 33When When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 44Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. attendant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!)characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!)

Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your circumstance* circumstance*

and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the norm?norm? Proverbs 3 Proverbs 3

*What if the circumstance is directly from the hand *What if the circumstance is directly from the hand of God and we are just unaware of it?of God and we are just unaware of it?

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 33When When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 44Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. attendant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!)characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!)

Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your circumstance* circumstance*

and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the norm?norm? Proverbs 3 Proverbs 3

*What if the circumstance is redirectable by God? *What if the circumstance is redirectable by God? (Romans 8)(Romans 8)

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 33When When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 44Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.he owned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Joseph is equal to Potiphar in everything but title and Joseph is equal to Potiphar in everything but title and wife, but wife, but in submission to him. in submission to him.

This is similar to his relationship with his father Jacob This is similar to his relationship with his father Jacob before.before.

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 33When When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 44Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. he owned. 55From the time he put him in charge of From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

11Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 22The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 33When When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 44Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.he owned. 55From the time he put him in charge of From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 66So So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.* anything except the food he ate.* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~What does our service say about God to those who What does our service say about God to those who don’t believe don’t believe yet? yet?

*non-Egyptians were not allowed to prepare food for *non-Egyptians were not allowed to prepare food for EgyptiansEgyptians

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,

(The Calvary Church does not endorse Old Spice

products.)

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 77and and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”and said, “Come to bed with me!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Joseph is young / Potiphar is olderJoseph is young / Potiphar is olderJoseph is the go to guy / Potiphar is the “Ask Joseph.” Joseph is the go to guy / Potiphar is the “Ask Joseph.” guyguyJoseph is available / Potiphar works a lotJoseph is available / Potiphar works a lotJoseph is a slave ~ she can boss him aroundJoseph is a slave ~ she can boss him aroundMrs. Potiphar is upper class ~ she gets what she Mrs. Potiphar is upper class ~ she gets what she wantswants

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 77and and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”and said, “Come to bed with me!” 88But he refused.But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. my care. 99No one is greater in this house than I am.No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.because you are his wife. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~He has sought to honor God and his master in the He has sought to honor God and his master in the face of his circumstance. What good is it really to be face of his circumstance. What good is it really to be a successful slave.a successful slave.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 77and and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”and said, “Come to bed with me!” 88But he refused.But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. my care. 99No one is greater in this house than I am.No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.because you are his wife. How then could I do such How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” a wicked thing and sin against God?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~He is concerned about his standing before God and He is concerned about his standing before God and Potiphar. Potiphar.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 77and and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”and said, “Come to bed with me!” 88But he refused.But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. my care. 99No one is greater in this house than I am.No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” a wicked thing and sin against God?” 1010And though And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. to bed with her or even be with her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Unavoidable temptationUnavoidable temptationConstant temptationConstant temptationStrong temptation (basic lust / self pity / angering Strong temptation (basic lust / self pity / angering boss’s wife)boss’s wife)Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance (Obey and trust)(Obey and trust)

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 77and and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”and said, “Come to bed with me!” 88But he refused.But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. my care. 99No one is greater in this house than I am.No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”a wicked thing and sin against God?” 1010And though And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. to bed with her or even be with her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance (Obey and trust)(Obey and trust)

Other options:Other options:Run awayRun awayTell PotipharTell PotipharGive in occasionally, but Give in occasionally, but protestprotest

In today’s program, a lonely body guard’s wife

desperately want to have sex with the lead

household servant. Can this have a happy

ending?

1111One day he went into the house to attend to his One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was duties, and none of the household servants was inside. inside. 1212She caught him by his cloak and said, She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!”“Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.hand and ran out of the house.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1111Joseph is simply doing his job.Joseph is simply doing his job.1111No one else was there but God.No one else was there but God.1111”This is odd . . . ””This is odd . . . ”1212Probably snuck up from behind himProbably snuck up from behind him1212He got out and away (to the fields, the road, etc)He got out and away (to the fields, the road, etc)

He is toast even though he did everything He is toast even though he did everything right.right.

(Outcomes do not define right actions)(Outcomes do not define right actions)

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Hugonian school does not like this translation. Potiphar does not enter the text until verse 19. By the Hebrew, she calls out to the other male servants and tells them that the Hebrew servant he (Potiphar) brought in to mock us tried to rape me! I screamed and he ran away!

Mrs. Potiphar sets up a situation that gives Potiphar no choice but to take action against Joseph or lose face.

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mrs. Potiphar sets up a situation that gives Potiphar no choice but to take action against Joseph or lose face.

He has to choose to accept Mrs. P’s word or the slave’s. Does he really want others to know that his wife is nasty?If she seeks sex with a slave, what does that say him?

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 19When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Hugonian school would suggest that he was angry not with Joseph, but with Mrs. P. and the no-win situation that she created.

Commentators are in agreement that Potiphar did not think that Joseph was guilty seeing that he did not kill Joseph on the spot.

Placing him in the Kings prison would allow Potiphar to perhaps put in a good word for him in a prison that was perhaps better than “lower” prisons.

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 19When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: Egypt was one of the only ancient nations to use prisons.

This lends credence to the integrity of the text.

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 19When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~““showed” ~ to stretch or spread out (natah)showed” ~ to stretch or spread out (natah)

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~He is now lower than a slave, but still walking under He is now lower than a slave, but still walking under the “spread out” kindness and favor of Godthe “spread out” kindness and favor of God

What if Joseph had become like his brothers in their What if Joseph had become like his brothers in their negligence?negligence?

What if Joseph had given into self-pity?What if Joseph had given into self-pity?

What if Joseph had padded his tunic in his supervisor What if Joseph had padded his tunic in his supervisor position?position?

What if Joseph had obeyed Mrs. Potiphar?What if Joseph had obeyed Mrs. Potiphar?

What if he walked away from the kindness and favor What if he walked away from the kindness and favor of God?of God?

Because of Joseph, we get Jesus.Because of Joseph, we get Jesus.

Stay under the covering of God’s kindness.Stay under the covering of God’s kindness.

Never surrender character.Never surrender character.

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in

your heart, 2for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity. 3Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of

your heart. 4Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight. 7Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil. 8This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Ephesians 6

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is more going on than meets the eye, than we can understand.

Ephesians 6

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is more going on than meets the eye, than we can understand. Even if we could understand it, we would try to modify things to make them easier and more pleasant. Trust God in the chaos, that he is redirecting even the chaos into his Good.

Never surrender to the darkness. Be who you are becoming.

Never surrender to the darkness. Never surrender to the darkness. Be who you are becoming. Be who you are becoming.