In the New Testament, the word translated "temptation" has two similar but distinct meanings. One is positive, the other negative. When it refers to God tempting man (usually translated by the word "test" or "trial") it carries the positive connotation of bringing out one's good points. When it refers to temptation by Satan or another person (the kind that God never does¹ ) it carries the negative connotation of trying to bring out a person's bad points.

Let me illustrate what I mean. Suppose General Motors wants to test a car before it goes on the assembly line. Two parties will do the testing. It will be tested first by GM and then by someone like Ralph Nader. The emphasis of the testing by GM would be to bring out the car's good points. On the other hand, the testing by Ralph Nader would be aimed at exposing the car's bad points.

God brings about trials in our lives to develop and expose our good traits. He allows Satan a limited right to tempt us to expose our bad traits so that we can work on them and correct them.

Both kinds of testing are going on in Joseph's life as we return to his story. His life is full of the kinds of trials that reveal good character, but temptation in the negative sense is there, too. That is the part of his story I want to look at right now.

As we shall shortly see, Joseph was a man who had an open opportunity to embrace lust without getting caught, yet he didn't take it. He resisted. Not only that, he ran! In his actions we find a real life, in-the-flesh example of overcoming temptation from which we can learn. It is possible to say "no" to lust. It is possible to overcome temptation.

We covered Genesis 37 last time. We saw that Joseph's older brothers hated him because of the favoritism of their father, Jacob. Their loathing of their little brother was far more than sibling rivalry. It peaked when they threw Joseph into a dry well with the full intention of killing him. At the last minute Rueben, Joseph's oldest brother, persuaded them to spare Joseph's life. Ultimately they retrieved him from the pit and sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelite traders headed for Egypt. For Joseph it was "bye-bye family" and "hello strange new land." Our story resumes in Egypt in Genesis 39 with:

I. A Precarious Situation (1-6)

Joseph probably arrived in Egypt chained to the back of a wagon. There he was led to an auction block, most likely stripped of what remained of his Hebrew clothing, and sold as a common slave. The brothers had taken his "coat of many colors" in order to deceive their father into believing that he had been killed by a wild beast.

Question: Why does God allow his people to be mistreated like that? Joseph had done nothing wrong. Why should he be the one to suffer? If you have ever asked such questions, you're going to see some answers as Joseph's story unfolds. For now, just remember what I said about the trials that God brings on us being for the purpose of exposing and developing our good points. That is what we see here in the case of Joseph.

(Read v. 1-2)

Notice those very important words of verse 2: "And the Lord was with Joseph." You might want to underline them as a personal reminder as this story unfolds.

When trials come upon us, we commonly ask, "Where is God?" The answer to that if you are one of His children is: "He's right there with you!" Don't let apparent setbacks convince you that God has deserted you. Difficult circumstances do not necessarily mean that God has left you or is displeased with you. Often the situation is quite the opposite! God doesn't communicate His presence in an audible or easily discernable way to us living today. Rather, He has filled his Word with assurances, like this one, that He is there. In the New Testament we find encouraging passages like Hebrews 13:5, where we read, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."

God is with us, not only through tough financial times, as it says here in Hebrews, but also through all kinds of trials. The assurance of it is in His Word.

An Egyptian named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the slave block. Let's see if we can learn a little about him.

Potiphar was a high-ranking officer of the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was "captain of the bodyguard" it says here. Today we might say he was the head of the Secret Service. He had a unique place of trust with the King. He was in constant contact with Pharaoh. He would know his way around the courts. He probably lived in relative luxury at home since such a government post would bring an excellent salary. That word "bodyguard" in the original language suggests that Potiphar was no ninety-pound weakling. Among other duties, he probably carried out the king's political executions. He provided the "muscle" when it was needed in Pharaoh's administration.

I'm told that Potiphar's name in Egyptian was written, "Pet-pa-ra." "Ra" was the Egyptian sun god. Potiphar's name means literally, "Belonging to Ra." Potiphar must have been a worshipper of the son, something the young, monotheistic Hebrew Joseph would find repulsive.

Sometimes I hear Christians say, "If only I had a Christian employer, I would do a lot better at work," or, "Wouldn't it be nice not to have to work with so many pagans?" I will admit to you that it can be very uplifting to work with or among Christians. It would be great to retreat from the world permanently and live in our own society, but that isn't what the Lord intends for us.

Illustrated here in the life of Joseph we find that sometimes where we want to be and where God wants us to be are two different places. I say that because I'm sure Joseph would have been much happier at home among his people than living in the home of a sun worshipper. Yet, if you know Joseph's story, you know for sure that God wanted him right where he was. In most cases, God wants us out there among unbelievers, influencing them for His cause.

There is something else about Potiphar in these verses that even you experienced Bible students may not have noticed. It may have contributed to the precarious situation Joseph was about to enter. That word "officer" in verse 1 is the Hebrew word "sawrece." It is translated "eunuch" seventeen times in the New American Standard Old Testament. It comes from a root word meaning, "to castrate." It was the custom of ancient pagan kings to require that prominent officers close to the king's court be made eunuchs. This was done to ensure full-hearted devotion to duties in the court and to minimize the possibility of a military coup led by court officers. It also kept the officers out of the king's harem.

Was Potiphar a eunuch? Understand that while this is speculative on my part, it is possible because that is the word Moses used to describe Potiphar's position. If this were the case, it would seem that either he had consented to such an operation after he was married in order to take a promotion or perhaps that his wife had married him for political or financial reasons rather than normal marital relations. At any rate, if it were true that Potiphar was a eunuch, it would certainly put Joseph, who was an attractive young man, into a very precarious situation in that household.

As Joseph went to work in Potiphar's house, his inherent honesty and diligence were soon noticed. He proved himself to be wise and utterly trustworthy.

(Read v. 3-6b)

If you find yourself working for an unbelieving employer, it is God's will and your duty that you do the very best you can at being a good employee.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, "… do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

We are to serve our employers as we serve Christ.

Joseph is now the overseer of Potiphar's entire household. When Potiphar leaves, Joseph is in charge. He manages the Captain's affairs. The only thing Joseph didn't manage was Potiphar's dinner menu.

God can bless your work even among unbelievers if you are faithful.

We learn from Genesis 41:46 that Joseph stood before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams at age thirty. That would mean that Joseph spent the whole decade of his twenties in Potiphar's house. Don't get the idea then, that Joseph's success was an instant thing. It was the result of diligent faithfulness on his part and God blessing Him because of it.

Not only was Joseph successful in his master's house, he was also good looking. That brought about a complication, which brings us to this matter of:

II. A Persisent Seduction (7-14)

(Read v. 6c-7)

Joseph was a virile and active young man in his mid to late twenties. He had no wife - he didn't even have a girlfriend, and he wasn't a eunuch! As one writer put it, "The advances of Mrs. 'Pot-of-fire' must have both flattered and tempted him."

So what's the big deal here? Her husband was gone. None of the other servants was around. She was an attractive and eagerly available woman. Perhaps Joseph even knew something of a potentially unsatisfactory nature of her marital relations with Potiphar.

For many in our day, there would be nothing more needed for a reason to commit adultery. The moral climate of Egypt in Joseph's day was similar in many ways to our day. Egyptian women were by reputation some of the most "liberated" of their day (When I say "liberated" hear "loose."). Adultery committed by Egyptian women was so common, numerous papyrus fragments survive to this day to describe it.

So, how did Joseph handle these advances?

Notice first that he tried not to offend her. It wasn't that she wasn't attractive or desirable. It wasn't that Joseph was some kind of prude. It was just that there were greater issues at stake.

(Read v. 8-9b)

For Joseph to go ahead with what she suggested would be a breach of the high degree of trust his master had placed in him.

Adultery always destroys trust. Those who commit adultery often don't consider or even think about the trust they are destroying until it is too late.

Someone has said, "Suspicion enters by the door through which love and trust exit." I know several people personally who have committed adultery and now are paying a heavy price of distrust and suspicion they never thought they would have to pay.

Not only would it have been a breach of Potiphar's trust, it would have been a great sin against God himself.

(Read v. 9c)

Sin is never just a matter of one's "own business." People say, "What harm can there be among consenting adults?" The harm is that you often hurt others and always offend God. The person who commits adultery takes a jab at his or her Creator.

By the way, here are four lines of defense that you can use against temptation the next time you encounter it. You might want to jot them down somewhere because sooner or later you will need them. Look at them as perimeter defenses you can put around your life to protect you from sensual temptations. They are:

	Concern for Self-Respect. The idea comes from Nehemiah 6:11. It goes like this: "Is a man like me going to do a thing like that?" It appeals to a person's sense of self-respect.
	Concern for Tradition. It goes like this: "What is this going to do to the various traditional institutions that I depend on like my country, my church, my family, my school?"
	Concern for Loved Ones. This one should be obvious: "What will this do to those who love me and whom I love?"
	Concern for God's Presence. Christ, the One who died for me is watching me. What will He think if I give in to this temptation?

These four lines of defense, if remembered in the time of temptation, can help you keep your commitments and stand firm.

Mrs. Potiphar however, knew nothing of a devotion to God so strong that it would cause a person to pass up a little illicit physical pleasure on the side. Sadly, many living today don't either. There are many people alive today who have never seen the kind of devotion Joseph had. That's a pity.

Perhaps Mrs. Pot-of-fire interpreted Joseph's response as just a little bit of bashfulness on his part or maybe she thought he was playing "hard-to-get." Whatever the reason, she determined to try a little harder.

(Read v. 10)

Every day as Joseph came into the house to take care of his work, Mrs. Potiphar turned on the charm. Notice how he handled her requests.

"...he did not listen to her to lie beside her (thus, avoiding her direct approach) or to be with her (avoiding her indirect approach)..."

Many people who would never otherwise succumb to direct temptation give in because they fall to the indirect ploy.

Can't you imagine the rationalizing that could have gone on? Certainly adultery would be wrong for Joseph. He knew that. But what would be wrong with just getting to know Mrs. Potiphar? What would be wrong with sitting down and having a cup of Egyptian tea with her? After all, they could just be friends. They were two lonely people who could find some solace in each other's company. Surely there would be no harm in that! Perhaps it would even help ease her probable feelings of rejection by her husband.

But Joseph "did not listen to her to lie with her or to be with her." Here was a wise young man! The best way to avoid giving in to temptation is to avoid putting yourself into it.

Many marriages, broken by infidelity, would never have become that way had both partners been living their lives above reproach. By "above reproach" I mean, "in the safety zone." If you haven't already done so, make a vow to your mate, to yourself, and to your God that you will avoid any situation that will weaken your resolve to be faithful.

Let me put it a little more clearly: Don't flirt! Don't develop close support relationships with members of the opposite sex! For most people, that is how the track toward adultery begins.

Unfortunately for Joseph, this lady didn't take hints. She didn't even take a direct "no!"

At some point Mrs. Potiphar realized that she was getting nowhere with Joseph. So she decided to turn up the heat. Perhaps she felt that if she could just get close to him one time, he would keep coming back whenever she wished. That's how sin is. Give in once and the next time it's harder to say "no." That is especially true of adultery.

She waited until the time was right.

(Read v. 11-12a)

I believe it is a reasonable assumption that Mrs. Potiphar had put on every allurement possible to persuade Joseph to join her. It was now or never for Joseph. Her hand was on his garment.

(Read v. 12b)

Wow! Why do you and I pack around these Bibles that contain both Old and New Testaments? Is it not because stories like this show us how to do what seems so hard to do in the abstract?

Do those of you who have played or watched football know what the "blitz" is? When the quarterback it "blitzed," it means that all of the defensive players rush him at once, hoping that one of them will get through the line and tackle him. Offensive linemen must always be on guard for the blitz. The quarterback has no other choice when these blitzers come charging through the line but to get out of the pocket and run for his life! Well, Mrs. Potiphar blitzed! For Joseph, suddenly it's run or be tackled! (That's almost what happened literally!). He ran outside.

It's nice to be kind and considerate to someone who is putting you into a difficult situation. But when the temptation gets this hot, it's time to get out. That's what Joseph did and that is what the Bible says you and I must do.

"Flee from youthful lusts," Paul told Timothy.²

But don't expect it to make the best of friends for you. What had been lust in Mrs. Potiphar now turned to wrath.Look out, Joseph!

(Read v. 13-16)

I'm sure the household was buzzing by the time Mr. Potiphar got home. In he comes to face his enraged wife.

(Read v. 17-18)

Now look at that again and tell me if you don't detect a bitterness toward Potiphar as well as Joseph! "...the Hebrew slave whom you brought to us..."

I know I can only speculate here, but what I see is perhaps years of frustration and bitterness spilling out of this woman onto her husband.

We come now to:

III. A Providential Significance (19-20)

What was happening here had significance far greater than how it effected Joseph's day to day living.

(Read v. 19)

Potiphar was very angry, but I'm not entirely sure at whom. Legally he could have killed Joseph. A slave was considered a man's property and had no legal protection. But this many who did the king's executions didn't kill him.

(Read v. 20)

So Joseph went to jail for something he didn't do. In Chapter 40 we learn that it was a jail that was actually attached to Potiphar's house.

How was Joseph treated there? Not very well. Let me read to you a description of Joseph in Jail.

Psalm 105:16-19 says,

16 And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They afflicted his feet with fetters, He himself was laid in irons;
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.

So Joseph was locked in Potiphar's jail, his feet fastened in chains with an iron collar around his neck!

Question: Is this what a person gets for doing the right thing? What is God up to? Why is he allowing this to happen?

Look back again to Psalm 105. Notice verse 17: God "Sent a man before them." That would be Joseph. He was God's advanced patrol into Egypt. He was God's point man. It was God's providence that brought Joseph here and allowed him to be mistreated! Why?

Ps 105 continues:

19 Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.
20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples, and set him free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler over all his possessions,
22 To imprison his princes at will, that he might teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; thus Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And He caused His people to be very fruitful, and made them stronger than their adversaries.

God was testing Joseph as it says in verse 19. That is fairly evident. Far more significantly, God was providentially leading in Joseph's life so that Joseph could become powerful in Egypt to preserve and strengthen His people! God had a great purpose in what he was allowing to happen in Joseph's life. But Joseph didn't understand all that. He was right were we are sometimes: Wondering why.

Perhaps that is even where you are right now: wondering why. You've been asking the kinds of questions I've mentioned in this sermon. Do you see any answers? Do you see that God may be testing you? Do you see that He may have something far more important for you down the road a bit that he is leading you into? Do you despise that or do you trust Him?

Conclusion

I see three pieces of instruction that come from this passage that I want to leave you with.

	Run when temptation comes. There is nothing heavy or theological about understanding that. It's very practical. If you are facing temptation right now that is threatening to ruin you, or your testimony for God or your marriage, it's time to run.
	Endure when trials come. Don't forget that hard times come upon us for our testing. They bring out the good things, like character and perseverance. That will give you purpose and remind you not to quit until the test is over.
	Trust until the answer comes. Joseph would be in Potiphar's jail for 2 years. All that time he trusted God. He couldn't read Genesis like we can. He didn't even have a Bible. He couldn't go to church and be encouraged to trust. He just did it - the very thing we all need to do. View Other Messages in this Series

1. James 1:13 [Back]
2. 1 Timothy 2:22 [Back]