JOSEPH AND POTIPHAR’S WIFE

GENESIS 39:1-23(2013)

HOW DO YOU CATCH A MONKEY?

A monkey can be caught when it falls to temptation and lust! So will a man!

INTRODUCTION: Everyone faces temptation: Attraction to

do something evil or sinful. Why? Common form of temptation: lust, eager

desire for a worldly thing [Jm1:14]Overcoming temptation is very difficultThe Bible shows how Joseph was able to Gen. 39: divided into 6 sections

Genesis 39:1-6: PromotionJoseph [about 17 y.o.] when sold to

Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guards [1]As a servant in an Egyptian household, he

developed his flair for administration.Everything that he did, he did well. How?Just as Potiphar had acknowledged [3], the

Lord was with him [6]

Joseph: a faithful man with unusual ability Potiphar entrusted the entire management

of his house to him [4]. Potiphar was blessed as well [5]Influence of one in the Lord can bless

others through simple contact Acts27: Saving Paul in the shipwreck on his

voyage to Rome, the Lord saved all 276

[6] Joseph handsome in form, appearance. While it was a blessing from God, it also

exposed him to temptation. Blessed as physically attractive, one should

thank God, be humble, not vain. Why?Because one never did anything to get it!

Genesis 39:7-10: Proposition Good looks brought him trouble as

Potiphar’s wife tempted him to “lie with her” [7]

She “hounded him day after day” [10]Joseph’s temptation was unbearable: • far away from home, lonely, full of vigour • she was straight-out asking to be intimate• she was probably beautiful [A]Temptation comes when least expected.

Genesis39:11-12: Purity?-Rejected her offer, ran out fast as he could -But why did he reject her offer?Loyal to his master[8-9a], mustn’t violate

trust Loyal to God [9b], could not sin against God Knowledge and desire to please God kept

Joseph from giving in to temptation. [B]God’s way of escape must be taken quickly. Do not procrastinate or fantasize about it.

But how to repeatedly reject her offer?He did what the Lord says in 2Tim2:22 God will give the power to even overcome

repeated temptation [1Cor10:13][C] Repeated temptation can be resisted

but only by those who call on the Lord for such power.

What about us? When repeatedly tempted • Do we consider odds of getting away? • Fantasize how fun the sin would’ve been? If so, it’s no wonder we struggle & give in • Need to put God, our relationship with

Him first• Then, we are less likely to fall

What about those who do give in?E.g: Sexual immorality? They would• Feel cheap, made use by,• End up with STD, etc• Addiction: drugs, alcohol, enslaved to

substances Jm1:15,Pro6:27,28: temptations come at

high prices

Genesis 39:13-17: PerjuryWhen she failed to get him to do as she

wanted, she lied on him, accused him, talked about him and got him into trouble

[13-17]All this even when he did not give in to

temptation!

Genesis 39:18-20: PunishmentWhen Potiphar heard about Joseph’s

attempted rape, he put him in prison [19-20]

Unfair! He did right, yet was imprisoned. Why unfair? Deep longing; God’s image [D]Those who resist temptation are rarely

rewarded by the world.

Genesis 39:21-23: ProsperityEven in prison, God did not abandon him:granted him favour through the warden [21]

By God’s grace, Joseph did not become bitter, nor held on to his anger.

God continued to use and bless Joseph [23] [E] God honors those who say No to

temptation

Some lessons from Genesis 391.Although successful materially, spiritually,

one may be equally open to temptation. Often comes unexpectedly, be alert [1Cor10:12]

2. Even those outside the Lord can be blessed by some simple contact with one who is in the Lord

A believing wife can have influence for good on her husband and vice versa[1Pe3:1,2]

3. Ever envy one who does a good job of everything without trying very hard?

Or good always seem to come to him?Don’t! It’s a blessing of God [Gen39:5]

[Jn3:27]4. Those who honour God are rewarded God later blessed Joseph in many ways He

became Pharaoh’s right hand man

5. So, how to overcome temptation? Run away from it, Call upon the Lord, Do not give place to the devil to

start with or gain a foothold.

Some Bible facts about temptation: It isa. Never from God: Jm1:13: b. Always from within: Jm1:14,15: c. To be handled properly: but God will

make a way out of it [1Cor10:13]:

d. It must be actively dealt with- Immediately or it could get out of hand.- Realistically, not underrating it [Mt26:41]- Ruthlessly [Mk9:43-48]- Consistently - Confidently [1Cor10:13]