Sunday Sermons
Goals for the Godly
During the beginning of each new year it has become traditional in our culture to set personal goals for the coming year. While many of these goals are practical and useful for this life, they might miss any bearing on the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Yet setting goals is a useful and biblical exercise. Paul had definite goals that he was seeking to reach (Philippians 3:9-14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”). One writer phrased it this way, “The weeks before Christmas are a good time to regroup by taking a break from the 17 things you’ve been doing. Instead, how about having a cup of coffee with a faithful friend, and over coffee asking, as we probably all should from time to time, ‘Would you refresh my memory and tell me what life is all about? I don’t think I remember’” (World Magazine, 12-11-2004, p. 55). In this lesson I want to look at Joseph and consider some attitudes that he manifested that are worthy to be imitated.
This year I will see the big picture
“And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50:20).
With Jacob dead, the brothers fear that Joseph’s attitude toward them might change, but they had underestimated the genuineness of Joseph’s affection and the maturity of his faith. Like these brothers at times we have a hard time believing that other people are really as kind and nice as they appear to be. We need to learn that people do exist who are sincere, godly and genuine, and there are people who have no ulterior motives. “This is one of the clearest declarations of divine providence anywhere in Scripture. It serves as an important reminder that while the evil of men may appear to be to the disadvantage of the saints, the purposes and plans of God will ultimately prevail” (Davis pp. 303-304). Joseph chooses to leave the righting of wrongs to God (Romans 12:19), to see God’s providence in allowing evil men to momentarily prosper and succeed, and to repay evil with good. Their actions here demonstrate that their repentance was indeed genuine. “Joseph’s brothers did not stop with this message of confession, but quickly followed it up by coming directly into his presence with an offer to become his slaves. As they had sent him into slavery, so they now would volunteer to be slaves themselves. Sincere confession of sin against someone always includes restitution, and they were willing to do this the best way they knew how” (Morris p. 666). I am impressed that Joseph is not bitter about the years he had lost while in slavery—but the key is that Joseph realized that those were not lost years, rather God was working. Please remember that God never wastes our lives or our time, even being a slave in Popithar’s house, and then spending time in prison was not a waste. This verse is an expression of simple faith. When God says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28), then that means that all things work together for good to those who love God.
This year I will be more attentive to the needs of others
“When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. And he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, ‘Why are you faces so sad today’” (Genesis 40:6-7).
Joseph was not a man preoccupied with his own troubles (Philippians 2:3-4). Oh, how many opportunities to teach or serve others we end up missing because our minds are consumed with our own problems. Joseph did not have the attitude that says, “Don’t tell me your troubles, I have troubles of my own”, and observe that Joseph did not think that being in prison was any reason for being sad or depressed! “Joseph’s quick concern brings out another aspect of his besides efficiency and integrity; and his immediate reference to God rings true: it was the habit of his mind (39:9; 41:16,51,52; 45:8)” (Kidner p. 193). But what if Joseph was consumed with his troubles, what if he had not noticed the sadness of these Egyptian officials? What if he had never offered to help them? We often talk about wanting God to open doors for us, but maybe we have the wrong idea about what an open door really might look like. The dejection in the faces of these officials was an open door!
I will not be controlled by my environment
The Bible warns us about evil companions (1 Corinthians 15:33), and staying out of compromising situations (Romans 13:14 “make no provision for the flesh”), yet all tempting situations and dangerous people cannot be avoided no matter how hard we try. “He did not listen to her, or be with her. Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work” (Genesis 39:10-11). Notice that Joseph refused to even be around this woman, but he could not avoid her 100% of the time. “Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife” (Genesis 41:45). Joseph is given an Egyptian name, “Zaphenath-paneah” (ZAF nath pay ah NEE ah). “The practice of giving foreigners an Egyptian name is very well attested” (Kidner p. 197). We are not sure what the name actually means, Egyptian-based interpretations include, “God has spoken and he lives” or “He who knows things”. Joseph is also given a wife, “Asenath” (AS ih nath). From the name of the father, it appears that he was in service to the god Ra (Poti-phera means, “he whom Ra has given”). The sun god Ra was an important deity in ancient Egypt. “It is worthy to note that the Pharaohs also chose their wives out of this family and this is indicative of the high rank that Joseph was accorded” (Aalders p. 216). The city of On, also called Heliopolis, lies north of Memphis on the east side of the Nile. It was a center for sun worship, and was located about 7 miles north of modern Cairo. So Joseph is given an Egyptian wife who is not a believer, and marries into a family where the father-in-law is in charge of an idolatrous shrine, yet none of this changes Joseph. When his children are born, Joseph has the say in what the children are named, and both names refer back to the true God (Genesis 41:50-52). In fact, from an early age Joseph refused to allow environment to control the development of his faith and character. He grew up with corrupt brothers, but he remained truthful (Genesis 37:2). He worked for Potiphar and then he worked in an Egyptian prison, but neither he did become worldly, hard, calloused or bitter. He became the second most powerful man in the ancient Near East, but he did not become arrogant (Genesis 41:52). Joseph had an incredibly unsheltered life, in fact he rubbed elbows with some of the most dangerous people in both low and high places, but none of this affected him. The same can be said for men like Daniel. You could change their name, change their environment, and remove them home and family and everything familiar, but they still knew who they were and who God was (Genesis 39:9).
I will not be worn down by temptation this year
“And it came about as she spoke to Joseph day after day” (Genesis 39:10). Kidner notes, “Joseph’s reasons for refusal (8,9) were those that another man might have given for yielding, so neutral is the force of circumstances. His freedom from supervision and his rapid promotion, which have corrupted other stewards (Luke 16:1ff), and his realization that one realm only (9) was barred to him (which others, from Eve onwards, have construed as a frustration) were all arguments to him for loyalty. By giving the proposition its right name of wickedness (“this great evil”) (9) he made truth his ally, and by relating it all to God (9) he rooted his loyalty to his master deep enough to hold” (p. 190). Despite the fact he was nothing more than a slave to Potiphar, Joseph greatly respected his master, and practiced loving his neighbor as himself (Romans 13:8-10). Joseph did not mince words, what this woman was suggesting was sin against God and a great evil. Often, temptation gets the best of us, because we are unwilling to acknowledge that sins condemned by God are really all that bad. Sin will beat us, when we, like the world start re-labeling various sins. Joseph’s attitude is wonderful. He does not view himself as a deprived man, or a man who “deserves” more. Neither is he angry with God. Yes, God had allowed Joseph to be parted from his father, but was this any reason to stop loving God? But how many of us yield to temptation because we believe that we deserve it? Or, how many of us yield to temptation because we feel that God hasn’t given us what we need—so we need to take matters into our own hands? In addition, remember that back at home, the level of morality among his brothers was low. “His reaction contrasts sharply with Reuben’s (35:22) and Judah’s (38:16)” (Davis p. 270). The constant pressure day after day, which broke a man like Samson (Judges 14:17; 16:16). The temptation was flexible, if Joseph could not be stormed, then maybe he would be worn down or coaxed. Then there is the final attack (12). “Resisted to the end, the temptation could run its full course and display all its strategy: the first approach, flattering and startling (7); the long attrition, for ever reopening the closed question (10); now the final ambush, where all is lost or won in a moment (12)” (Kidner pp. 190-191). Years ago someone pointed out that the temptations you would yield to are those things that you haven’t firmly made a decision on. We need to realize that certain temptations hit unexpectedly, where we only have a split second to make our decision to flee. Joseph did not stop and say to this woman, “Let’s sit down and discuss this”. The wisdom of Proverbs 5:8 “Keep your way far from her” is displayed by Joseph’s fleeing. Flee, because this can cost you your soul! (2 Timothy 2:22). “Unfortunately, many believers flee temptation only to wait around the corner for it to catch up to them!” (Davis p. 270).
I will not allow set backs to discourage me this year
“So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail” (39:20); “Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (40:23).
I am greatly impressed that even this setback and great injustice did not shake Joseph’s confidence in God. Joseph did not say, “I’ve had it, what is the use of doing the right thing, if I only seem to suffer for taking the high moral road?” “I don’t think that God exists after all, for serving Him faithfully has only resulted in trouble and hardship”. Or, “I guess serving God faithfully doesn’t work in the real world”. The common argument among many people, especially many people in the business and political realm, is that if they take the moral high road, they will go out of business or lose the election. We need to have greater faith in God and His providential workings! “Joseph’s outstanding abilities and integrity, crowned with the touch of God, were constant at every level: as prisoner and as governor he was simply the same man” (Kidner p. 192). Carefully note that after the most discouraging circumstances, Joseph is always back at work, rebuilding, working and succeeding. Joseph determined to be the best in whatever situation he found himself, he would be the best son, the best slave, the best prisoner, or the best administrator.
I will not demand instant success this year when I do well
Please note that doing the right and noble thing does not always bring with it immediate rewards! But Joseph will refuse to believe the devil’s lie that “nice guys finish last”. Telling the truth and doing the right thing did not keep Joseph out of temporary or earthly trials, but it lead to real and true success, a good conscience and a right relationship with God.
