A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
GENESIS 39
Lesson #56
GOD SIFTS FOR SERVICE
- Memory verse: Philippians 2:7
- Read Gen 39:1-6 The blessing of God on Joseph
- After the sin of Judah and Tamar in chapter 38, by contrast, Joseph’s life is an example of a righteous one. As a result, we see God bless Joseph abundantly. This chapter stresses that God was with Joseph. (vs. 2,3,21,23) Everything Joseph did was successful. Even Potiphar knew that God blessed his household because of Joseph. (39:5)
- Joseph had been brought to Egypt in slavery, but he gradually gains a position of authority in Potiphar’s household. Potiphar was captain of the guard, a high official in the Egyptian government. Everything that belonged to Potiphar was put into Joseph’s hands to manage. Joseph is a good example of someone with the gift of facilitating or administration.
- Read Gen 39:7-12 The temptation
- Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph, but daily he denied her.
- Joseph fled from sin (2Tim 2:22)
- This is the second lost garment spoken of in regards to Joseph. Remember he lost the coat of many colors when his brothers sold him into slavery.
- A righteous stand may cost us something but God will repay in the end.
- Joseph’s attitude toward sin: (39:9)
- He was constantly aware of God’s presence in his life.
- He knew that any sin was a sin against God, not just a violation of Potiphar’s trust.
- Read Gen 39:13-20 The false accusation
- Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape, calling him a Hebrew.
- Her use of the word Hebrew here is a mocking insult. (39:14,17)
- She refers to him as a Hebrew slave to impress on her husband Joseph’s low standing in the household.
- Potiphar’s reaction
- Egyptian law required the death of a slave that had sexual relations with members of his master’s family.
- Potiphar does not require Joseph’s death. Why?
- Potiphar trusted Joseph with everything he had.
- Potiphar knew his wife’s character and probably did not believe her story.
- The Bible says Potiphar was angry (Gen 39:19), but it does not say his anger was against Joseph.
- However, Potiphar feels he must preserve the integrity of his household by removing Joseph from it.
- Potiphar, therefore, has little choice but to imprison Joseph rather than have him killed.
- In reality it is the grace of God.
- Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape, calling him a Hebrew.
- Read Gen 39:21-23 God’s favor
- Even in prison, God was with Joseph. God gave him favor with the authorities of the prison. Gradually, Joseph gains more and more authority until he is in charge of all the prisoners. Wherever he goes, God raises Joseph to greater levels of authority. It is a training period in Joseph’s life.
- God’s training periods aren’t always easy and pleasant.
- Usually they are hard. They seem to last forever when you are in one.
- Joseph a prefigure of Jesus Christ
- Even in prison, God was with Joseph. God gave him favor with the authorities of the prison. Gradually, Joseph gains more and more authority until he is in charge of all the prisoners. Wherever he goes, God raises Joseph to greater levels of authority. It is a training period in Joseph’s life.
| The Life of Joseph | The Life of Jesus Christ |
| Joseph became a servant
Gen 39:1 |
Jesus became a servant when he came to earth. Phi 2:6,7 |
| Joseph was a prosperous servant
Gen 39:2,3 |
Jesus Christ was a prosperous servant
Psa 1:3 Isa 52:13 Isa 53:10 |
| Joseph’s master was well pleased with him. Gen 39:4 | Jesus Christ was well pleasing to God.
Joh 8:29 |
| Joseph was made a blessing to others around him. Gen 39:3,5 | Jesus Christ blessed the world by his coming. Joh 3:16 |
| Joseph was a righteous person.
Gen 39:6 |
Jesus Christ was without any sin.
2Cor 5:21 Mat 27:54 |
| Joseph was tempted but did not sin. Gen 39:7-12 | Jesus christ was tempted in the wilderness but did not sin. Mat 4:1-11 |
| Joseph’s temptation consisted of 3 parts. (Gen 39:7, 10, 12)
He was not tempted in Canaan by his brothers but in Egypt by strangers. |
The temptation of Jesus consisted of 3 parts.
(Mat 4:3, 5-6, 8-9). He was not tempted in heaven but on earth. |
| Joseph was falsely accused. Gen 39:16-18 | Jesus Christ was falsely accused.
Mat 26:59,60 |
| Joseph attempted no defense. Gen 39:19-20 | Jesus Christ made no defense against his accusers. Isa 53:7 Mat 27:12,14 |
| Joseph was thrown into prison. Potiphar did not believe his wife but expediently passed sentence. Gen 39:20 | Jesus was put into prison.
Pilate did not believe in the guilt of Jesus but expediently passed sentence. Mat 27:15-24 |
| Joseph suffered at the hands of Gentiles. Gen 39 | Jesus Cchrist suffered at the hands of Gentiles. Mat 27:27 |
| God was with Joseph in his sufferings.
Gen 39:21 Act 7:9-10 Psa 105:17-20 |
God was with Jesus Christ in his sufferings. Col 1:19-22 |
| Joseph won the respect of his jailor.
Gen 39:21 |
The Roman Centurion in charge of the crucifixion had respect for Jesus.
Luk 23:47 |
- Lessons in sifting for service:
- To sift = the process of passing flour through a sieve for the purpose of making it very fine (to refine).
- Read Joh 12:24-26 (Luk 22:31 Amos 9:9)
- In Joseph’s life, we see some marvelous principles. Before God uses people for His kingdom, He sifts them by taking them through difficult times in order to strengthen them for the task ahead.
- He sifts lightly for a light task ahead.
- He sifts moderately for a moderate task ahead.
- He sifts heavily for a heavy task ahead.
- The example is wheat. The kernel is separated from the chaff by pressure. The kernel is the good part and the chaff is the useless part.
- We have gifts (the kernel) that God has placed within us that which he wants to use for His glory. However, we also have selfish desires and a sinful nature (the chaff) that prevent us from being used for God’s glory.
- God wants to get rid of the chaff in us. To do that, He puts us through the pressure of trials.
- The sifting process: It shakes up and brings to the surface those characteristics with which God wants us to deal.
- Sifting produces a shock to one’s life and system.
- Sifting sometimes is done in silence.
- Sifting separates good from bad.
- Sifting searches for what is good and usable.
- Sifting cleanses and transforms.
- Sifting can be very severe.
- Sifting can be intense suffering, like the life of Joseph.
- The results when one is not faithful in the sifting process:
- God will put a believer on the shelf for awhile if he kicks and screams through the process.
- If you wiggle off the shelf and put yourself into ministry before God opens the door, you end up as a trouble maker in the situation, and the ministry does not prosper.
- Reasons why people are not used by God:
- Sin
- Rebelliousness against God’s will, God’s way, and /or God’s timing.
- Sifting is also called the process of crucifixion or dying to self.
- Read Gal 2:20
- Read Gal 5:24
- Qualifications for being used:
- You must be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. You must be saved and know that you are.
- You must know what you believe and why you believe it.
- You must be filled with the Spirit of God. You should desire to walk in the Spirit whatever the cost.
- You must be continually seeking to know God. You should have a teachable spirit and be committed to his will.
- In Joseph’s life, we see some marvelous principles. Before God uses people for His kingdom, He sifts them by taking them through difficult times in order to strengthen them for the task ahead.
Homework
Genesis 40
- Application of Gen 39
- What specific sifting processes and experiences has God done in your life?
- What were the results of these processes and experiences?
- In prayer, praise God for what He has done and is doing in your life.
- Preparation for Gen 40
- Read Gen 40:1-23 Joseph forgotten in prison
- Based on this chapter, list as many ways as you can in which Joseph is a prefigure of Jesus Christ.
- What can you learn from Joseph’s life that will help you when you think God has forgotten you?
- Read Gen 40:1-23 Joseph forgotten in prison
- Memory verse: Amos 8:7
