preached on the 5th November, 2023 and continued on the 12 November, 2023
GENESIS 39
Reading: 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.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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;
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?
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.
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.
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.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
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:
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.
16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
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:
18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
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.
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.
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
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.
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.
INTRODUCTION :
- How many of you want to prosper?
- How many want to be successful with money and work?
- How many want to have a life filled with love,joy, and peace?
The Genesis 39 was a story of a young man called Joseph.
Joseph had a very pertetic one. That is, he didn’t find it easy in life.
He enjoyed fatherly love from his childhood,
His father Israel also called Jacob loved Joseph more than all his Children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him coat of many colours, Genesis 37:3, as if this is not enough, Joseph then had a dream about his father and mother with his brothers bow down for him that made his brothers to be furious with him more.
I believe very strongly that without any shadow of doubt, God was with Joseph, and he overcame all the trials, difficulties, and all the persecutions that came on his way. He was able to come out victorious, and how was he able to do that, Joseph feared God, he Served God with honesty and sincerity, if you can also trust, believe and obey Him do like Joseph you will also be a winner in your Christian race.
I want to show you today, no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what your past is, how you can have all of these things. I want to show you how you can win in life!.
Joseph was Jacob last born. They were 12 sons, he was the favourite one, and he got a special coat from the father. His own blood brothers hated him, they threw him in a pit to die, then took him out and sold him to Midianites, read Genesis 39: 1-3 Joseph was a slave– YET he is prospering verse 5– what Joseph is overseeing prospers ( he works for 11 years),, Potiphar’s wife tempts him, he was falsely accused, verses 19,20— now, Joseph goes from a slave to being a prisoner, verses 21-23, Yet he still prosper!
What was the secret to Joseph’s prosperity? How was Joseph able to prosper as a slave and as a prisoner? ( THE LORD WAS WITH HIM )
Winning in life is not determined by who your parents are or by how much money you have or how beautiful you look or your educational degree; winning in life is determined by one thing–
IS GOD WITH YOU?
If God is with you, then you will prosper and succeed. If God is with you, you will know a life of joy, love, and peace.
Today, I want to teach you four truths from the life of Joseph, which, if we apply to our lives, can help us to have God’s presence and God’s power.
(1) JOSEPH DIDN’T DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE.
Imagine your own brothers throwing you in a pit to die. Then, selling you into slavery. It would be hard not to be bitter! ( Joseph was not bitter – he was blessed because of it, God can not contradict Himself, neither His word contradict, God said in Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LORD.”
He is God. He changed not.Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Joseph knows that God is in control of his life. He knew like the song we use to sing. ” I know that I can make it because my life is in your hands.”
We do sing the song, but do you believe it, your life is not in the hand of enemies, devil, your life is in God’s hand and no man can pluck out of his hand,. John 10:27-29 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. “
Joseph realized all these promises from God, who is his Creator, He is the only one to take him out of this situation. Because he did not take the vengeance, he was blessed, he knows that it was not them who sent him there. He believed that it was God who knew about his life journey and sent him.
He told them later, ” You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. “
As if that was not enough, then, a woman falsely accuses you, and you go to prison.( That’s not right! ) Joseph did not get bitter– and he was blessed because of it.
APPLICATION : Forgive those who have hurt you or wronged you. Don’t hold on to past grievances. Don’t focus on the bad. Choose to live your life trusting that God is working His purpose and plan for you. Choose to focus on doing God’s will, for that is truly the best life!.
(2) JOSEPH VALUED HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
When Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt Joseph to sin with her, Joseph said to her, ( in Genesis 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?”
Joseph didn’t want to do wrong against God, He valued God’s laws and commandments, if we keep God laws in our hearts we will not sin against Him, in Psalm 119:11, ” Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. “
God also gave us a principle of prosper, in Joshua 1:8. God gave us a commandment concerning prosperity,
” This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
If you dwell in the word of God, you will not think evil, Somebody said;
” This book (Bible) will keep you away from sin, or the sin will keep you away from this book, “
Joseph knew it was God who was causing him to prosper, and he didn’t want to disobey Him.
APPLICATION : Do you value your relationship with God? Do God’s commandants matter to you? Go to church, fellowship with one another, Pray, Study His word, pay your tithe, and care for one another? How much time or effort do you put in reading the Bible and Praying?
Choose to live according to God’s word! It will bring you blessings!
When you sin — confess it and forsake it, — don’t quite on God, Don’t stop fighting, You may fail, but that doesn’t mean you are a failure, always put on your spiritual armor.
(3) JOSEPH SOUGHT TO BRING GLORY TO GOD .
When Joseph was in prison, two other prisoners had dreams. They told them to Joseph, and he was able to interpret them correctly.
Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream, No one was able to interpret the dream. The former prisoner whose dream Joseph had interpreted now served as Pharaoh’s cupbearer. He told Pharaoh about Joseph
Read : Genesis 41: 14-16, “14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Joseph said, ” it is not in me ” — I can’t interpret your dream! BUT GOD CAN! ” God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Joseph was humble. He didn’t try to lift himself up, He wanted to lift God up!.
APPLICATION : 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God “
In 1 Samuel 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
Make it your theme in 2024 to bring glory to God. If this world ever needs God’s people to let their light shine before men so that others will see our good works and glorify our father, it is now!
Does your life bring glory to God?
(4) JOSEPH WAS FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT.
Pharaoh said of Joseph in Genesis 41:38, And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”
As we are looking forward to the coming year, pray for God to fill you with His spirit, which will make you do extra ordinary for Him.
APPLICATION : We need to be filled with God’s Spirit if we want to have God’s power, God’s presence, and God’s favor, We must yield to Him and seek His filling.
The Spirit of God is within every believer, but the filling of the Spirit is not automatic. You must seek His filling!
CONCLUSION : Are you with God?
Is God with you?
Do you value God’s commandments?
Do you confess your sins?
Pray, Obey, Read and meditate on God’s word.
Amen!!!