Genesis 39:1-23

But what Genesis 39 will show us is that even in our hardest moments, when it seems like God is farthest away, his presence is actually at its closest and deepest – providing for us in our turning points, preserving us in our temptations, and protecting us in our trials

Outline

  • First, God’s presence provides for us in our turning points (39:1-6a)
    • The presence of God in our turning points can provide the blessing of God to us (39:1-4)
    • The presence of God in our turning points can provide the blessing of God through us (39:5-6)
  • Second, God’s presence preserves us in our temptations (39:6b-10)
    • The presence of God preserves us from the pull of temptation (39:6b-7, 10)
    • The presence of God preserves us from the power of temptation (39:8-9)
  • Third, God’s presence protects us in our trials (39:11-23)
    • God’s presence protects us in the trials that come from accusation (39:11-18)
    • God’s presence protects us in the trials of adversity (39:19-23)

Christ Connections

  • Like Joseph, God was with Adam in the garden, Noah in the flood, Abraham in the foreign land, Isaac in the sacrifice, Jacob in the dream, Joseph in the prison, Moses in the Exodus, and David on the battlefield. All of that was a preview of what was to come with Jesus, in his life, in his ministry, in his death, in his resurrection. Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit upon us so that we can experience the protection of the presence of God even in our greatest trials; the greater your problems, the greater his presence.
  • This moment in Joseph’s life anticipates what God will do in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus is a favored son and a righteous sufferer. Like Joseph, Jesus spends much of his earthly life as a servant. Like Joseph, Jesus was destined to rise from that humble role to a position of authority. Like Joseph, Jesus’ path to becoming a ruler of the people comes through false accusation and persecution. Like Joseph, God’s presence sustains Jesus through many trials. Joseph is a model for our Deliverer himself. Like Joseph, Jesus goes from favored son to forgotten slave so he can become a future savior.

Applications

  • The easiest place to get lost in our pursuit of God is in the turning point moments when we are coming down the mountain. Our success can cause us to lose sight of our savior. Joseph faced the same challenge in his turning point, Joseph remembered God in the mountain top because he never lost sight of the fact that God remembered him in the valley.
  • Over time we can become so exhausted by the temptation that we give in, by leaning into the presence of God, he will preserve us from temptation.
  • Potiphar’s wife is not tempting us by knocking on the door of our house but by knocking on the door of our hearts. Our churches are full of men addicted to pornography, struggling with same-sex attraction, and living in sexual sin. Freedom is found in Christ. We know that if Satan brings you to it, God can bring you through it.
  • Joseph’s story shows us that the way through your problems is to depend on God’s presence. God allows us to be tested so that we can be trusted.