Joseph had dreamed two dreams that he shared with his brothers and father. The first dream he shared, "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” (Genesis 37:7) The second dream, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” (Genesis 37:9)
Not only were Joseph's brothers jealous of him because Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. (Genesis 37:3) But after hearing about his dreams, his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. ... and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.(Genesis 37:8-11)
While Israel kept the matter in mind, the brothers later stripped Joseph ofhis tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. ... Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brotherspulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twentyshekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. ... So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.(Genesis 37:23-34)
We would naturally think that that would be the end for Joseph, but we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) God had a call on Joseph's life, which He revealed in the dreams Joseph had. Even though he had suffered being rejected by his brothers and treated with so much hatred, God declares, "My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. (Genesis 39:2-6)
From a slave to being in charge of the captain of the guard of Egypt house. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (I Peter 5:10) And that's exactly what God did for Joseph. What a powerful witness for God, that his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. We lead nonbelievers to Who God really is by the way we live and conduct ourselves. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. (Genesis 39:6-10)
Sexual harassment in the workplace, and this is proof that men get harassed just like women do. But look at the character of Joseph, he could have done anything he wanted, because his master did not know what was with him in the house, and he had committed all that he had to his hand. He could have had the attitude of doing anything and everything he wanted, including sleeping with Potiphar's wife; but, he knew Who had blessed him and kept him, and if he were to commit the sin of adultery, or any other sin, it would be sinning against God. When we sin, it's not so much that we sin against other. The main problem is that we sin against God; Against You, You only, have I sinned,And done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. (Psalm 51:4)
But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.” (Genesis 39:11-15)
From sexual harassment to a false cry of rape. We've heard of this happening many times, just read or watch the news, it's nothing new. Rape is a serious problem and should not be taken lightly. But falsely accusing someone of rape or any other offense is an awful thing to do. So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.” So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. (Genesis 39:16-19)
Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. (Genesis 39:1-23)
The Egyptian punishment for committing such a crime as adultery would have been castration and dismemberment. (read "Ancient Egypt Law and Order") For Potiphar to only have Joseph thrown into prison was nothing but an intervention of God. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) Joseph endured the temptation of committing adultery, ...but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
Joseph escaped by ending up being put in prison, but it doesn't matter if we're treated unfairly for doing the right thing; but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4) When we come to the end of ourselves, and we have no one to depend on but God, that 's when God can use us to do even greater things. When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person. (Job 22:29)
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