Series: From the Pit to the Penthouse: The Excellent Adventures of No Ordinary Joe Message 6 The Great Escapee Genesis 39: 6b-23 INTRODUCTION: Last week we introduced this scene in Joseph s life and looked at how he handled the challenging moments in his life. Today we revisit the story to view the three main characters (Mrs. Potiphar, Joseph, Potiphar) and see how the drama that involved them is a story oft-repeated in life. Our focus will be upon Joseph as he handles another major setback in his life. As we begin the Week of Prayer for International Missions, we see Joseph serving as an example of living missionally. He has been placed in the middle of a mission field (prison) and is surrounded by a UPG (Unreached People Group). In that environment, God opens a door for Joseph to influence people who are far from God. Retelling the story: Joseph s promotion (success) Mrs. Potiphar s advances - Genesis 39: 6b-23 HCSB Mrs. Potiphar s Advances Joseph s Responses 6b Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. 7 After some time his master s wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, Sleep with me. 8 But he refused. Look, he said to his master s wife, with me here my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has put all that he owns under my authority. 9 No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God? 10 Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her.
11 Now one day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants were there. 12 She grabbed him by his garment and said, Sleep with me! But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. Mrs. Potiphar s Retaliation (vv. 13-20) 13 When she saw that he had left his garment with her and had run outside, 14 she called the household servants. Look, she said to them, my husband brought a Hebrew man to make fools of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, and I screamed as loud as I could. 15 When he heard me screaming for help, he left his garment with me and ran outside. 16 She put Joseph s garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story: The Hebrew slave you brought to us came to make a fool of me, 18 but when I screamed for help, he left his garment with me and ran outside. 19 When his master heard the story his wife told him These are the things your slave did to me he was furious 20 and had him thrown into prison, where the king s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in prison. Joseph in prison 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph s authority, and he was responsible for everything that was done there. 23 The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph s authority, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful. (emphasis added)
I. HEY, MRS. POTIPHAR A. Introducing Mrs. Potiphar: 1. Rich 2. Beautiful (More than likely) 3. Powerful 4. Entitled 5. Bored ( An idle mind is the devil s workshop English Proverb) (David on the rooftop) B. Mrs. Potiphar s decline: 1. Joseph is just another slave in her house he goes unnoticed for a period of time. 2. She notices Joseph notices that he is handsome and well-built (see verse 6b) 3. Her looking turns to longing (The difference between the first and second look)(v. 7). 7 After some time his master s wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, Sleep with me. NOTE: looked longingly (HCSB, - took notice of Joseph (NIV); soon began to look at him lustfully (NLT); looked with desire at Joseph (NASB 1977); 4. She continues her advances (persistence) she spoke to Joseph day after day (v. 10). Note the progression: Notices Looks intently Imagines Invites Persists Acts 5. Driven by her lust and her imagination, she strategically looked for and planned opportunities to make her move. (v. 11) 11 Now one day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants were there.
6. The retaliation (revenge) of the scorned woman ( hell hath no fury like a woman scorned ) she s not used to someone saying no to her (rejection) 7. She blames her husband (Potiphar) for her sin! She lies to cover up her sin! 14 she called the household servants. Look, she said to them, my husband brought a Hebrew man to make fools of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, and I screamed as loud as I could. 16 She put Joseph s garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story: The Hebrew slave you brought to us came to make a fool of me, II. JOSEPH: ESCAPING TEMPTATION A. Joseph could have easily been impressed that a rich, powerful, and beautiful (more than likely) woman is trying to seduce him (He s a slave a long way from home). B. His character tested Character: what you do when no one s looking. C. His character demonstrated by his response to her advances: A principled response. 1. Loyalty to his master he refuses to betray the trust his master has placed in him (v. 8) he has put all that he owns under my authority 2. He will not allow himself to betray his master that has shown kindness to him (v. 9) withheld nothing but you 3. His loyalty to God the real reason for his faithfulness (v. 9) - So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God? D. Temptation is not sin. James sets us straight on temptation and trials and the nature of the sin process: 1. Trials (James 1: 2-4)
James 1: 2-4 HCSB 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 2. Temptation (James 1: 13-15) James 1: 13-15 HCSB 13 No one undergoing a trial should say, I am being tempted by God. For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Notice that James progression follows the pattern Mrs. Potiphar manifested: E. Refusal When do we make a decision to refuse temptation? 1. Be decisive - Decision before the battle made in the will and driven by principles (internal compass). (See Mark 9: 43-47) 2. Don t flirt with danger - Don t tie your horse to the wrong hitching post (old cowboy who liked to drink) stay away from dangerous situations (alone with Mrs. Potiphar) 3. Learn to say no in no uncertain terms! 4. Run! (v. 12) Genesis 39: 12 HCSB 12 She grabbed him by his garment and said, Sleep with me! But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. (emphasis added)
III. POTIPHAR S FAILURE: JUDGING WITHOUT THE FACTS A. He listened to his wife s lies rather than searching for the truth. What about Joseph s faithfulness/loyalty to him? Punishment should not be rendered until the truth is known. He failed to administer justice. The Bible has many references to the sins of injustice. B. He was partial and did not use wisdom in handling the situation (He failed to establish guilt he simply administered punishment based upon the accusation rather than the truth. In a court of law, guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt. C. He retaliated in anger and haste rather than administering justice in seeking the truth. 1. Anger 2. Haste 3. Decision based upon lies/fabrication 4. Injustice IV. IT S NOT ABOUT SURVIVING, IT S ABOUT THRIVING (vv. 21-23) NOTE: Joseph didn t just survive in prison, he thrived! Genesis 39: 21-23 HCSB 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph s authority, and he was responsible for everything that was done there. 23 The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph s authority, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful. (emphasis added) A. Once again, Joseph refuses to live under his circumstances he rises to the occasion! B. The same formula for success as was found in verses 1-6 (Potiphar s house) 1. The Lord was with him.
2. The Lord extended kindness to Joseph to prosper him. 3. He proved his trustworthiness (and his leadership!) 4. The Lord increased his responsibilities as the warden saw his character and competence. SEEING JESUS IN JOSEPH S STORY Jesus was falsely accused and condemned to die in an illegal trial. Joseph and Jesus were both numbered with the transgressors in their suffering. Jesus on the cross and Joseph with the prisoners.