Have you ever felt abandoned? Have you ever been punished for doing what is right? Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you ever thought, “God, do you know what you are doing?”

1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Undeserved #1 status Hated by his brothers Beaten and sold Declared to be dead Lost literally everything You would think that he would have given up on God and integrity altogether.

1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. P P P Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joseph, former daddy’s boy, has become a commodity. Can you get much lower? Potipher ~ Chief of the Executioner-types. Think of a big strong men with killing tools.

1 Now 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Joseph became a part of Potipher, Inc., he was assimilated into the household as a trusted manager. We can figure that this process took some time as he would have needed to become proficient in the language of the Egyptians.

1Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!) Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your circumstance* and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the norm? Proverbs 3 *What if the circumstance is directly from the hand of God and we are just unaware of it?

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Potiphar recognizes something “godlike” surrounding the actions of Joseph and seeks to capitalize on this characteristic. (He made a very good purchase!) Application: Honor the Lord regardless of your circumstance* and trust him. (See Psalm 42) Is this the norm? Proverbs 3 *What if the circumstance is redirectable by God? (Romans 8)

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joseph is equal to Potiphar in everything but title and wife, but in submission to him. This is similar to his relationship with his father Jacob before.

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, 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. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, 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.

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, 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. 6 So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.* 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, 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. 6 So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.*~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What does our service say about God to those who don’t believe yet? *non-Egyptians were not allowed to prepare food for Egyptians

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, 7and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joseph is young / Potiphar is older Joseph is the go to guy / Potiphar is the “Ask Joseph.” guy Joseph is available / Potiphar works a lot Joseph is a slave ~ she can boss him around Mrs. Potiphar is upper class ~ she gets what she wants

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 8But he refused. “ “ “ “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9No one is greater in this house than I am. M M M My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He has sought to honor God and his master in the face of his circumstance. What good is it really to be a successful slave.

N Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8But he refused. “ “ “ “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9No one is greater in this house than I am. M M M My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. H H H How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He is concerned about his standing before God and Potiphar.

ow Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8But he refused. “ “ “ “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9No one is greater in this house than I am. M M M 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?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unavoidable temptation Constant temptation Strong temptation (basic lust / self pity / angering boss’s wife) Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance (Obey and trust)

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 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?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 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?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joseph’s strategy: strong refusal and avoidance (Obey and trust) Other options: Run away Tell Potiphar Give in occasionally, but protest

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?

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11 Joseph is simply doing his job. 11 No one else was there but God. 11 ”This is odd... ” 12 Probably snuck up from behind him 12 He got out and away (to the fields, the road, etc) He is toast even though he did everything right. (Outcomes do not define right actions)

16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But 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.

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

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

16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But 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. 16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’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, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The 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)

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The 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 the “spread out” kindness and favor of God

What if Joseph had become like his brothers in their negligence? What if Joseph had given into self-pity? What if Joseph had padded his tunic in his supervisor position? What if Joseph had obeyed Mrs. Potiphar? What if he walked away from the kindness and favor of God? Because of Joseph, we get Jesus. Stay under the covering of God’s kindness. Never surrender character.

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Ephesians 6 12 For 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. 13 Therefore 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 12 For 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. 13 Therefore 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. Be who you are becoming.