Genesis 39

Introduction:

1. Satan loves to pressure the people of God in hopes we will wilt when things get difficult (Job 1:8-11; Matthew 13:5-7, 20-22; Hebrews 10:32-39).

2. God promised not to allow Satan to overrun His people (1 Corinthians 10:13).

3. Joseph silences every excuse we may offer for caving to Satan’s pressure.

Discussion:

I. Faithful in Day-to-Day Business (Genesis 39:1-6)

A. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery (39:1; 37:26-28, 36).

B. He proved most trustworthy to his master (39:4-6; cf. Ephesians 6:5-9).

II. Faithful in a Foreign Land (Genesis 39:1-6)

A. Joseph found himself a foreigner with none of his own around.

B. He kept right on serving God despite his surroundings.

C. Are we faithful in a foreign land? (Philippians 2:12-16; 1 Peter 2:11).

III. Faithful in Temptation (Genesis 39:7-12)

A. Satan, through Potiphar’s wife, tempted Joseph to sin.

B. Joseph put on a clinic for overcoming temptation:

1. Satan offers what is forbidden (39:7-9; Genesis 3:3-4)

2. He is persistent and aggressive (39:10-12; 1 Peter 5:8)

3. Joseph refused to break trust with man or God (39:8-12).

4. He proved all temptation can be beaten (1 Corinthians 10:13).

IV. Faithful When Wrongfully Imprisoned (Genesis 39:13-23)

A. After refusing to betray his master, Joseph was falsely accused of seeking that which he refused to do (39:11-19).

B. Despite his faithfulness, he was sent to prison (39:20).

C. Still, he remained faithful when few would (39:22-23).

Conclusion:

1. Through all these tremendous challenges, Joseph stayed faithful.

2. Joseph was no superhero; he was a humble servant of God.

3. The key to all this was that Joseph knew God was with him and trusted His purposes (39:21; 45:4-8; 50:18-21).

4. He is with us as well, so we too may always be faithful (Matthew 28:20).