Genesis 39.1-20a – In this third message of the series we find Joseph as a slave in the house of an Egyptian official named Potiphar. As Joseph had done in his families household, he rises to the position of overseeing this Egyptian household because the Lord is with him, favors him, and causes both him and the household to prosper. A difficult test takes place, however, when Potiphar’s wife makes unwanted advances toward him. He refuses and, because he ends up leaving his cloak behind in his effort to escape from her, is ultimately placed in prison. Why does God allow this test and outcome? First, though Joseph can’t see it, this outcome actually serves to move his story onward toward where the Lord wants him. Second, this test (any test) surfaces what’s true in the heart of a person. If Joseph is going to be faithful in the larger ‘household’ of the nation of Egypt (God’s ultimate plan), he must be faithful in the much smaller household of Potiphar. Joseph passes the test with flying colors.
Four key points can be applied to us: 1. The best place to be faithful is… wherever we are. 2. Blessing spills over. 3. Entitlement is the enemy of integrity. 4. Some losses are good losses.
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