Joseph Is Put Into Prison

Sermon Synopsis

Genesis 39:1-23
39 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
Egyptians 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 favored.
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 favor 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.

Joseph is put into prison
So far only evil seems to have come to Joseph. We must wait to see
how God turns it for good. God’s promises are always perfectly
fulfilled. Joseph’s life was a type of the life of Christ. Joseph was
hated by his brothers for telling of their sins; Jesus was hated for
telling people of their sins (Luke 20:19). Joseph’s brothers planned
to kill him; Jesus’ own people planned and did kill Him (Matthew
27:1-35). Joseph’s coat was taken from him; Jesus’ coat was taken
from Him (John 19:23-24). Joseph was sold by his brothers for
twenty pieces of silver; Jesus was sold by one of His disciples for
thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15).

Genesis 39:1-6 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 Egyptians 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 favored.

Joseph was now in Egypt, a slave of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of
the guard, but the Lord was with Joseph. Joseph was blessed by the
Lord—God gave success in all he did. Potiphar recognized this and
trusted him with all of his business. Joseph’s prosperity extended to
Potiphar. The Lord blessed the Egyptians’ house for Joseph’s sake.
Joseph was good-looking and intelligent.
Despite the adversity he faced, Joseph’s faith never wavered. His
unwavering trust in God’s plan, even in the midst of hardship, was
a testament to his strong character. His resilience and integrity
were evident in his actions, earning him the respect and trust of
those around him. This story serves as a powerful reminder that
God’s blessings can manifest in unexpected ways, and that faith
and perseverance can lead to success and prosperity, even in the
most challenging circumstances. Joseph’s journey from being a
slave to becoming a trusted servant in Potiphar’s household is a
testament to the transformative power of faith and God’s
providence.

Genesis 39:7-10
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;
9There 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.
Joseph’s pleasing qualities drew the notice of Potiphar’s
wife. She, not being a good person, enticed him to sin with her. But
he refused. For two reasons, such an act was detestable to him.
(1) It would be a betrayal of his master’s trust.
(2) It would be a sin against God.

We live in an evil world. The powers of darkness surround us and
are constantly striving to pull us down into doubt, discouragement,
and backsliding. This lesson about Joseph should encourage us.
Everything was dark around him. All seemed to be going wrong.
Apparently, no question entered Joseph’s mind about how he
should answer the temptation that came to him. He was decided,
and no persuasion could change his stand. No price was too great
for him to pay to remain on the side of the right. Property, comfort,
reputation, position—all could go—he still would obey God.
Joseph’s unwavering commitment to righteousness in the face of
temptation is a testament to his strong moral character and deep
faith. His story serves as a powerful reminder that, even when
confronted with the most challenging circumstances, we too can
choose to uphold our principles and remain faithful to our beliefs.

It is not the absence of temptation, but our response to it, that defines
our character. Like Joseph, we must be prepared to sacrifice worldly
comforts and stand firm in our convictions, trusting that our
obedience to God will ultimately lead to our deliverance and reward.
This is the enduring lesson of Joseph’s life – a lesson of courage,
integrity, and unwavering faith in the face of adversity.

Genesis 39:11-16
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,
14That 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.
The devil is persistent. This woman was not easily turned from her
evil desires. One day, finding Joseph alone, she caught him by his
garment and repeated her sinful urging. Quickly, Joseph slipped out
of his coat and fled, and got him out. In frustration, the wicked
woman turned to revenge. She called others and gave a false
account, accusing Joseph of the crime of which she was guilty. As
proof, she showed the garment she held and claimed Joseph left it
when startled by her cry for help.

This narrative underscores the profound truth that temptation
often comes from unexpected quarters, and it is relentless. Joseph’s
story is a testament to his unwavering faith and integrity. Despite
the woman’s persistent advances, he chose to uphold his moral
principles, even when it meant leaving behind something as
personal as his garment. His actions serve as a powerful reminder
that sometimes, the path of righteousness requires us to make
difficult and immediate decisions. The false accusations that
followed were a bitter consequence of his virtuous choice, yet they
set the stage for God’s plan to unfold in Joseph’s life. His story
encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced
with adversity.

Genesis 39:17-20
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.
Potiphar came home and his wife reported this news to him. His
trusted servant was untrue, and the proof before his eyes was the
abandoned garment! A little truth mixed into a lie makes it more
deadly. Potiphar’s wrath was kindled, and he put Joseph into the
prison.

In the midst of this turmoil, Joseph found himself unjustly accused
and harshly punished. Yet, even in the cold confines of the prison,
his integrity remained unshaken. He was a victim of deceit, but he
refused to let this define him. Instead, he held onto his faith,
trusting that truth would eventually prevail. This incident, while
seemingly a setback, was just another step in God’s greater plan for
Joseph. His journey was far from over. His faith and resilience
would soon turn his trials into triumph.

Genesis 39:21-23
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him
mercy, and gave him favor 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.
23The 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.
Things seemed to be going from bad to worse for Joseph. He was
sold from his home, taken to Egypt, became a slave, and then a
prisoner, but through it all, Joseph held steady. He was determined
not to sin whatever happened. He kept his trust in God. Decisions
like Joseph’s are seldom made at the sudden moment of crisis. We
cannot think deep and straight then. The decision must be made
before. Only the manner of following it can be chosen at the time of
temptation. Outward circumstances looked bad. Inside, where it
mattered most, all was well with Joseph, for the LORD was with
Joseph.

Joseph’s story is a testament to the power of faith and resilience.
Even in the face of adversity, he remained steadfast in his devotion
to God and his moral principles. His life serves as a reminder that
our inner strength and faith can guide us through the darkest of
times. Joseph’s unwavering trust in God was not a
spur-of-the-moment decision, but a deep-seated conviction
nurtured over time. It is this inner fortitude, this unshakeable faith,
that truly defines us, not our external circumstances. For even in
the bleakest of situations, Joseph found hope and strength because
he knew that God was with him. His story encourages us to cultivate
such faith and resilience in our own lives.

How can we make the right decision, or choose the right side, when
so many differing voices advise us? Joseph looked heavenward. He
did not consider changing times, the customs of society, what was
expedient, or what would put him in the right with his owner. All he
considered was what was right in God’s sight.
When we determine to choose right, shun sin, and look for the
right way, the Bible and the Holy Spirit will lead us there. People,
young and old, who wish to avoid falling into sin, should take a
lesson from Joseph. He not only refused to commit the sin the
woman suggested, he also refused to be with her.
If you do not want to steal, lie, tell filthy stories, commit
fornication, drink, or use drugs, then you must not spend time with
the people who do. If you do not wish to read ungodly literature,
keep it out of your house. Companions who must be “kept in line”
are not fit companions. Spend time with good people, talk of good
things, and surround yourself with influences that lead toward God
and right. Philippians 4:8-9 says “8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye
have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:
and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Pursue holy living and flee from all suggestions of evil. 1
Thessalonians 5:22 says “22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Keep away from any place that may tempt you to do evil.

The question is often asked,
“What is the use of doing right when it
brings no worldly advantages?” Doing right put Joseph in prison,
but it also gave him a clear conscience, the smile of God, and the
confidence of the prison keeper. These priceless possessions were
immediate. To come later were more blessings that would have
been lost had Joseph yielded to sin. Joseph kept his trust in God, and
the LORD was with Joseph. The blessings came later, but victory
was won during those dark hours. During those long dark hours
that grew into years, Joseph formed a strong sense of
values.
Joseph’s story is a testament to the power of faith and the
importance of maintaining a strong moral compass, even in the
face of adversity. It reminds us that the path of righteousness may
not always be the easiest or the most rewarding in the short term,
but it is the one that leads to true fulfillment and peace in the long
run.

Joseph’s unwavering commitment to his principles, despite the
challenges he faced, serves as a beacon of hope for all of us. It
teaches us that when we stay true to our values and keep our faith
in God, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our true
potential. This is the essence of living a life of purpose and
meaning. So, let us strive to emulate Joseph’s example in our own
lives, making decisions that align with our values and beliefs, and
trusting in God’s plan for us. Remember, the rewards of
righteousness may not always be immediate, but they are
everlasting.

Closing

Genesis 39:1-23 is a powerful chapter in the Bible that tells the
story of Joseph’s time in Potipar’s house and his subsequent
imprisonment. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers,
Joseph remains steadfast in his faith and integrity.
In Potipar’s house, Joseph rises to a position of responsibility due
to his hard work and God’s favor. However, he faces a significant
test when Potipar’s wife falsely accuses him of misconduct. Despite
his innocence, Joseph is thrown into prison.
Yet, even in prison, Joseph’s character shines through. He
continues to trust in God and is eventually placed in charge of all
the other prisoners. Throughout this chapter, we see that God is
with Joseph in every situation, blessing him and causing everything
he does to prosper.
This chapter serves as a reminder that God’s presence and favor are
not dependent on our circumstances. Even in the face of injustice
and hardship, we can remain faithful and experience God’s
blessing. It encourages us to maintain our integrity, trust in God’s
plan, and believe that He is always with us, working for our good.
In conclusion, Genesis 39:1-23 is a testament to Joseph’s
unwavering faith and God’s unchanging favor, reminding us that
God is always present, even in our most challenging times.

Just a thought–One thing you can give and still keep is your word.