GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 39

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 39 (Gen 39:1) And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

Joseph was going where God wanted him, but not where he wanted to go, or where he chose to go. When God is orchestrating things it appears we are going opposite of the right way, but trust Him, when all is over He has supernaturally fulfilled the dreams He gave you long ago.

God said he would dominate and here he was a slave. But he responded to that slavery in the right way and God brought him to the top. In fact whatever place they put Joseph, he always arose to the top.

At the time Joseph started to serve, it appeared that Joseph would be the last person you would want to be, but God makes "all things work together..." (Rom_8:28). Before the glory comes the suffering, and Joseph shows us here the "suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow" (1Pe_1:11).

So, now he came into Egypt, separated from his brethren (Gen_49:26) as Jesuscame into the world, estranged from his own (becauseof their sins) and remained "separate from sinners" (Heb_7:26).

Sold to Potiphar (Gen_39:1), a ruler, for a servant.

Psa_105:17“Joseph who was sold for a servant" as Jesus(Isa_49:7) became a servant to rulers Phi_2:7 "Took on him the form of a servant" as Joseph (Gen_40:4"He served them" ) so Jesustold his disciples (Luk_22:27) "I am...he that serveth." (Mat_20:26) "Came not to be ministered unto but to minister.

As a servant He— Washed feet (Joh_13:4-16) Paid taxes like a subject when He was the "heir" and king (Mat_17:2427)

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Joseph will be a servant in Egypt and Egypt is a type of the world.

OLDTESTAMENTSURVEY2Co_3:14 b) LIFE IN EGYPT Gen_39:1 Abraham taught us election, Isaac taught us sonship, Jacob taught us the dual nature, and Joseph taught us heirship. His journey to Egypt teaches us the "suffering of Christ and the glory to follow" (1Pe_1:11). We are connected with disciples as children (in Jacob), but sufferings go before us as heirs 2Ti_2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (Gen 39:2) And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

The secret was that Jehovah was with him. Being with you implies approval of your life, of His aid in what you are doing, in progress, in receiving all the blessings promised in Deuteronomy 28-30. He was a successful man. He succeeded in every enterprise of his master and in each activity of the home. He became strong and flourishing in the daily businessof the master’s household. His employer was Jehovah and now Potiphar, later his employer would not be the jailer nor even later Pharaoh.

(Gen 39:3) And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

He must have seen more than obedience or successful work. He saw something in the spirit realm that said, this man has a God who works with him. It must have been quite a testimony to him of what God can do with a man. Someway he saw God was WITH Joseph. He also saw this God made Joseph PROSPER. Prospers in all circumstances(Gen_39:3) "All things prospered in his hands" as "the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper" in Jesushand (Isa_53:10).

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(Gen 39:4) And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

The attitude Joseph showed toward God brought its greatest results in giving favor to Joseph. When you have favor there are privileges granted that none other has. In this casethe entire house was turned over to Joseph. The master kept nothing back.

All in his hands (Gen_39:4, Gen_39:6, Gen_39:8) Joh_3:35"All things in His hands" Mat_28:18"All power in heaven and earth" 2Ti_1:12 "He is able to keep" (Gen 39:5) And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Notice the great benefits of pleasing the Lord. Not only do you prosper in what you do, but the company you work for, the people you served are also blessed by God. It is a better businessbecauseyou work there. It will be more successful becauseyou are a child of the King. It extends to everything you get involved with in business, in government, in church, or in the home.

Others blessed for his sake (Gen_39:5) Eph_1:3 Blessedus with all spiritual blessings (Gen 39:6) And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Joseph was human and like any other person, but with the favor of God, all saw in him a great spirit, a great attitude and called him a goodly person.

One of the most important ingredients of any businessis favor. If a person does not have good favor, it matters not the quality of product, it will not succeed. Many times inferior products are on the market becausethose who manufacture them are favored.

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Well favored (Gen_39:6) Luk_2:52Jesus"is in favor with God and man" Goodly person Son_5:16“He is altogether lovely" (Gen 39:7) And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

After these things. After all the testing Jehovah gave him with possessions and attitude, now He tests him in integrity.

Potiphar’s wife began to desire Joseph. She was very likely a lonely woman.

Her husband was not at home much in the first place, and when he was there was no intimacy and therefore when this young virile servant was suddenly so well favored in the house, she was naturally attracted to him.

She became bold enough to him to let him know what she wanted.

Tempted before His ministry (Gen_39:1-20) Gen_39:7"She cast her eyes on him" Gen_39:9"How can I do this great (sin) Jesusmade it through His temptations; "yet without sin" (Heb_4:15) Mat_4:1-11 The devil "cast his eyes" at an opportune time.

Heb_2:18Suffered, being tempted. Now He is "able to succor those who are tempted."

Heb_4:15"He was tempted in all points."

But God was with Joseph (Gen_39:2, Gen_39:21, Gen_39:23as the Lord had angels minister to Jesus(Joh_16:32).

(Gen 39:8) But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; Joseph reminded her that he had a great responsibility in this home. This integrity and honor of fulfilling responsibility was more to Joseph than all the pleasure that the world could afford. The recognition of his accountability was enough to keep him in check and never stray from the GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 39—PAGE 4

straight and narrow way. He was a true servant of God in every way and would live selfishly.

(Gen 39:9) There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Here lies the great secret of his success.Not only was God his employer, but God was his Savior. He could not sin against God by violating his body and hers. Sin to him was not some momentary flesh fulfillment, not a matter of a private affair between consenting couples; it was to be reckoned in the eyes of God first. And if God disapproved he must not be involved, becausethen it was a sin against Him, and not just a person. He knew that this was a “Great wickedness” in the eyes of God. It might have meant nothing to the woman, and he might have been able to override his own conscience, but he knew wherein lay the real issue. God would be displeased.

(Gen 39:10) And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Temptation does not go away very easily. It keeps coming back with new tactics and with ever increasing intensity. It can give all kinds of excuses and justifications, but when God is the center of life a man cannot get involved. Joseph would not listen to her, or even be around her when he could avoid it, becausehe was determined to surrender his entire life to God. (Gen 39:11) And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

You cannot always avoid evil. There are times you have work to do that will require you enter the “Temptation Zone.” You have to be prepared for the moment. You do not get ready when the temptation hits. The mind has to already be made up. Joseph had said “NO!” many times before this. This was a continual lifestyle and not a momentary victory.

(Gen 39:12) And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

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Foresight is not too good but hindsight is 20/20. Had he had the time to think things over he very likely would have recognized the danger of allowing his coat to remain in her possession. But when a moment like this comes there is no time to think and plan. You have to make decisions on the spur of the moment. He had been avoiding her and now that she had the coat it was out of habit that he continued in that vein. He ran away without thinking of any consequencesand glad to get away.

(Gen 39:13) And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, But the coat in her hand gave her some evil thoughts. She realized that she would never be able to fulfill her lusts upon him, so she turned on him in hatred. She would get back at him. She thought he would feel sorry that he did not yield, so her mind immediately put into practice a plan to destroy the man she had tried to seduce.

(Gen 39:14) That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: She began a bombardment of slander and lying about Joseph. She used the term Hebrew here in a very derogative manner, with a racial slur. She threw contempt on him as a worthless slave that had now tried to defile her. She painted him in as bad a light as possible and knew that the cultural thinking would back her up. It is the woman who is ordinarily attacked by the man, and she used this natural thinking to entrap Joseph, knowing that when she told the story it would sound the most reasonable to anyone who heard it. Who would believe a man when he claimed he was innocent and yet there was his coat in her hands, and it was obvious he was in the house with her?

(Gen 39:15) And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

She wanted as many people as she could find to hear her side of the story, hoping that the more she told it the more people would be convinced that it must be true. She surely must have told every servant in the house, and possibly even the neighbors. After all, she had to disprove all that favor GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 39—PAGE 6

that had been heaped on Joseph, even favor that she had been bestowing until this moment.

(Gen 39:16) And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

No doubt she put the coat in as safe a place as possible realizing that Joseph knew the house about as well as she did and had accessto every part. But she banked on his avoidance of her, that he would not now come demanding the garment and seeking after it. She guessedrightly. He would not get near her, then or now. So the coat remained safe in her possession until her husband arrived at home.

(Gen 39:17) And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: She used the same basic approach to her husband that she had used with others thus far, knowing how much stock he put in the servant. She knew she had to make a big caseand that her lies had to be able to convince him that Joseph was guilty. She banked on her evidence and her accusations, and hoped Joseph would not retaliate.

(Gen 39:18) And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Though she knew that she had no proof of what she said, she banked on the evidence of the coat and the natural tendency of temptation to convince her husband that Joseph must be punished. She was naturally expecting that Joseph would lose his life. And she thought that was good enough for him if he was not going to give in to her whims. What a surprise it must have been years later to find he was Prime Minister of Egypt.

(Gen 39:19) And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

She was partially successful in her attempt against Joseph. He believed her enough that he became angry. Yet he did not go as far as she would expect, and probably as far as such casesdid happen ordinarily. Life was cheap GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 39—PAGE 7

among servants and they could be killed for the slightest purpose. Most likely that was what she hoped for so that there could never be any evidence of what had really happened.

(Gen 39:20) And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

God intervened. It was more than mercy on the part of Potiphar, though there may well have been some of that also, since the master relied on this servant so heavily and completely trusted him with everything. It was also possible that he knew her well enough to know that she might not be telling the truth. He was acquainted with her nature, and especially if she was sensual in any way he may have questioned whether or not it was true, so he did not slay Joseph, but he did put him in prison.

Imprisoned (Gen_39:20He was put where the kings prisoners were bound Mat_27:2 Jesuswas bound Psa_105:18-19 Hurt feet, as of Jesus Psa_22:16"Pierced my hands and my feet" They brought him to grief (Gen_49:23) even as Jesuswas "acquainted with grief" (Isa_53:3) (1) False witnessesbrought against him (Gen_39:15) Woman accused falsely Jesus(Mar_14:57-59) was also accused (2)

Two prisoners involved. One was freed and one lost (Gen_40:2-3).

Two malefactors (Luk_23:33-43).

One freed (Luk_23:43) and one lost (Luk_23:40).

(Gen 39:21) But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Again Joseph hardly reached the bottom before he started to rise again.

Regardlesswhere you put him, Joseph was going to keep the right spirit,

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his attitude would always be one well pleasing to God. He gained favor, even in the prison.

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT (Gen_39:21-23) 1.

JOSEPH'SDECISIONMADEHIM DIFFERENT! He started with God, not with teachings about God. No one can ever be the same when Christ takes up residence within his redeemed personality.

"The Lord was with Joseph" (Gen_39:2).

2.

JOSEPH'SDRESSMADEHIM DIFFERENT! Favoritism was not the issue.

The variegated coat signifies affection and trust.

So the Christian is clothed with the righteousnessof Christ (Isa_61:10), which gives him accessto the Father's presence at any time (Heb_4:16; Isa_66:5; 1Pe_3:3)

3.

JOSEPH'SDUTIESMADEHIM DIFFERENT! He was compelled to stand against public opinion.

He was exposed to ridicule and rejection (Joh_15:18), but his reactions made him different (Mat_5:4).

He did not rebel against his brethren, but forgave them (Joh_13:35).

4.

JOSEPH'SDREAMSMADEHIM DIFFERENT! He might have antagonized others in his youth, for he was human.

Nevertheless his dreams proved to be sent from God. So it is with us who believe.

5.

JOSEPH'SDISPOSITIONMADEHIM DIFFERENT! He was "goodly and well favored."

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The Christian receives a completely new nature from God, the old lie being "crucified with Christ." (Gal_2:20).

Joseph made no provision for the flesh (Rom_13:14).

6.

JOSEPH'SDEVOTIONMADEHIM DIFFERENT! When faced with temptation he did not compromise by wondering, "If I do this thing, can I get away with it?"

Becausethe Lord was with him, he fled from the scene, crying from his heart, "How can I do this great wickedness,and sin against God?" (Gen_39:9)

7.

JOSEPH'SDESTINYMADEHIM DIFFERENT! He was taken from the pit and prison to the palace.

The Christian's deliverance from the pit (Rev_20:15) and prison (Isa_42:7) leads to the throne! (Rev_3:21).

(Gen 39:22) And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

Soon he was in the same position in the prison as he had been in the house.

I do not know what all could be done in prisons. I doubt if the floors were wooden so you probably did not mop them, but even dirt floors must be swept up. Whatever responsibilities were found there, the jailer no longer had to worry for Joseph again was finding his place in the world.

(Gen 39:23) The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

But we see the true source of all these blessings. It was not that Joseph was just naturally a winning personality, or charismatic leader. He was under the control of a great God and nothing else mattered. When he made God’s businesshis business, then the Lord made Joseph’s businessHis business.

He would not work for any man, either Potiphar, the Jailer, or Pharaoh. He worked for Jehovah.

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