Series

‘Life on a rollercoaster with Joseph’

Today

‘The test of allurement’

Genesis 39

1. Joseph sold to

Midianite Merchants

Gen 37:25-30

2. Jacob

deceived by blood-stained

robe

Gen 37:31-35

3. Joseph

sold into slavery in

Egypt

Gen 37:36

‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and

my thoughts than your thoughts’

Isaiah 55:9

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart

through all generations

Psalm 33:10-11

1. Diligent work is a powerful witness

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered … the Lord gave him success in everything he did … the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had … both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he

had in Joseph’s care … Gen 39:2-6

1. Diligent work is a powerful witness

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Col 3:23

2. Success can lead to vulnerability

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took

notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’

“We may expect temptation in the days of prosperity and ease rather than in those of

privation and toil, not when we are climbing the steep ladder of fame, but when we’ve entered the golden portals; not where men frown, but

where they smile sweet exquisite smiles of flattery – it is there, it is there, that the

temptress lies in wait. Beware”.

F B Meyer

2. Success can lead to vulnerability

Temptation is inevitable

… each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and

enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-

grown, gives birth to death James 1:14-15

3. Joseph resists temptation

But he refused. ‘With me in charge,’ … my master does not concern himself with

anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care

Gen 39:8

3. Joseph resists temptation

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me

except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing

and sin against God?’

Gen 39:9

3. Joseph resists temptation

And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed

with her or even to be with her

Gen 39:9b-10

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,

you double-minded

James 1:7-8

3. Joseph resists temptation

And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed

with her or even to be with her

Gen 39:9b-10

4. Potiphar’s wife wants revenge Gen 39:11-20

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned,

nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

William Congreve