November 25, 2007

Gen 39:1-6
The Hand of Providence

Joseph now comes down to Egypt. we have skipped chapter 38 and will view it at a later date because I want to continue with the trials of Joseph. I want to note 2 things today about Joseph, 2 things that indicate he is a trusting person,walking with God. And 2 that will help you when you go through trial.
Note first with me if you will:

Evidence of God’s providence:
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down there.

Joseph was brought down to Egypt. The Egypt that Joseph entered was already a very ancient nation. It was a highly civilized and organized empire but it was also immoral and polytheistic in its worship.

Though scholars still dispute the actual time of this event,many believe that it was during the reign of a dynasty called the Hyksos dynasty. These were foreign invaders who were partly of Semitic stock. They had come from the east and conquered Egypt somewhere around 1720 B.C. They were also called the “Shepherd kings.” It is thought that the reason the family of Jacob was treated so well when they moved to Egypt is because they were Semites as well.

During the next several hundred years the Hyksos were expelled from Egypt and so the Pharaoh of Moses time “Knew not Joseph.” and began to persecute these Hebrew relatives of the Hyksos.

So Joseph came at a divinely appointed time and according to prophecy to establish the nation of Israel in the womb of Egypt until it was strong enough to be birthed as a nation.God was looking out for his people.

But Joseph didn’t know that. He only knew that he was in a very difficult situation and his only hope was the God of His Fathers.

He was bought by the captain of Pharisee body guard. This man would probably be in charge of political executions as well. He is called an “officer” or Saris of Pharaoh. You need to know this because it will help you understand upcoming events.

A “Saris” was often a eunuch. It was customary for officers associated with the king’s court in pagan lands to be castrated. This was perhaps to ensure wholehearted devotion to their duties and to minimize the possibility of a coup,it would not be possible for them to establish a dynasty of their own.

Since Potiphar was a married man perhaps he had consented to this operation after marriage in order to get this office, or perhaps his wife had married him for political or financial reasons rather than normal marital relations. If that was the case you might understand her later behavior if not condone it.

God ,even in these hard times was in charge. He was working in this situation to bring His will and plan to pass and provide for His people.

Now lets look at verse 2-3 and note not only evidence of God’s providence, but also, Evidence of God’s presence
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous 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 that he did to prosper in his hand.

I thought about this, I imagined ways that Potiphar could notice that God was with Joseph. One way could have been that Joseph packed an extra lunch pail. You know, set it out on the picnic blanket at lunch and talked to God through the meal? But that seemed preposterous to me.

If you saw anyone doing that would you think God was with them? Or would you think “Fruitcake?”

So I discarded that, I’m sure you are glad because you would not your Pastor to be that foolish would you?

Actually It was evident to Potiphar that God was with Joseph because v.2 says “ the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. His life was together,he prospered or more literally “was profitable” the stem and root here in Hebrew are better understood as to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper.

Joseph was a true servant. He worked to bring his master profit, to make his master successful. It was evident in Joseph’s work even as a slave, that His goal in life was to honor his real master. That was one important way Potiphar saw God in Joseph.

I wonder if your employer notices that God is with you? Eph 6: 5 -8 say: Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free

Or in col. 3: 22-24 Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Though it was written thousands of years later, Joseph understood the principle in Matt 5:17 Let your light shine in front of men that they may notice your good works and give glory to God. Or 1 Cor. 10:31 whatever you do...do it all to the glory of God. Or Ec 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might....

You see, Joseph wasn’t privileged to be in a labor union, he was a slave. He was in the worst of employment positions and he still did it as unto the Lord.

He worked so that his master noticed God was with Him. I have read the last page and I know that Joseph’s faithfulness paid off, I mean in spades big time here and now on this old earth.But he didn’t know it. Even though he didn’t know how it would turn out, he lived to honor God. By the way, it doesn’t always have an earthly happy ending.

In Hebrews 11 we read that many were forced to endure hardships and suffering and death by faith and were only rewarded on the other side.

LISTEN!!! Live at home and at work in ways that will honor God. Be a hard conscientious worker and work with a view to your master’s success.You will be noticed by your Father even if not by your earthly boss. (Ill of hotel clerk who gave room to J. Astor)

We noted the evidence of God’s providence,the evidence of God’s presence now note thirdly with me if you will,.Evidence of God’s provision vv4-6
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.

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. 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.

“Despise not small beginnings.” That was the title of the sermon by Ed Ballew many years ago. He told of his struggles in a small church with barely enough money to get by and how God was faithful in those times. But God also is not insensitive to the needs and desires of his servants.

Ed Ballew grew in grace. Ed Ballew was a speaker and pastor in big demand in Georgia,Tennessee and Alabama. He was a man sought after and looked up to. And he preached at all of us fledgling workers for God to do our best in the place God had placed us. Do not despise small beginnings. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and when the time is right he will see that you are honored.

Joseph started out here in a small role, he honored God in slavery and though he still was a slave he became a “trustee” or overseer in the best line of work for a slave,house work. Joseph became the overseer of Potiphar’s house.

God has taken notice of his people throughout history and though some do suffer until the end, often we see God delivering them in a mighty way.

We notice that Daniel, Hebrew prisoner in the Babylonian exile became a noted ruler under several kings even under the Medo Persian regime.

Also The three fire walkers stood up for God and became leaders in Babylon.

Here we notice that all is not lost. Joseph is noticed because of His attitude...it was not an IN YOUR FACE” I’M God’s” attitude. Rather it was “I am God’s and willing to do what He asks.This is the attitude of true hope.

If you have hope it will affect how you act and react. And if you have a trusting hope in God to do it right,even if it does not appear to be right at the moment, then people will notice. And Also God will notice.

In 1st Peter the Apostle is writing to a group of scattered Christians who are in persecution and trial. They, like Joseph, are being treated unjustly by those in authority. And Peter reminds them to leave their past lives of self service and live,even in trial. as a new creature in Christ.

Because Peter really knows the fact that when you are squeezed. pressured, what comes out is what is inside. He says here in 1 Peter 1: 13 -17 Wherefore fasten up the loins of your mind, be level-headed, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so also you be holy in all manner of behavior; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Now Note verse : And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your visit here in fear:

It is not only people who watch but the faithful righteous judge also. That is what we see in chapter 2:18-24. There we find Christ being the prime example in enduring hardship.

Servants, be subordinate to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.(skolios,crooked,unfair perverse ) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it , if, when you be battered for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer [for it], you take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was berated, did not scold back; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but committed [himself] to him that judges righteously:

You see, the righteous judgment of God is not only AGAINST sin, it is toward righteous behavior. If you endure as Joseph did, as Jesus did, in a proper spirit then that gets noticed too. But The delight of the Lord who bought us is when people notice how we endure hard times and say: How great his or her Lord must be. Jesus said “Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

You should have seen REBA work? Who is Reba? She is a Game Warden’s "find anything except Tom’s wallet? dog. I mean she was amazing. She used to find lost hunters and children . She found dead bodies humans could not. Do you know that when they recognized her ability someone else got the reward? Who would you think? Right, it was Roger, the one who is her master and so it should be.

Now Joseph is in a field test too and God provides him with a better situation because his master noticed that God was with Him. And Emphasize that GOD.

I want to close with a story I heard. It came from Professor Brad Riggins of McCormick Theological Seminary. Professor Riggins was at the International Youth Triennium in Bloomington Indiana when he told this to the students.

He told that he had met a very dedicated Christian worker in London. She was working with the underprivileged of that city in amazing ways. He asked her “What is it that inspired your Christian faith and action?”

She shared her story of how seeing another Christian’s faith had brought her to Christ. She was a Jew fleeing the German Gestapo in France during WWII. she knew she was close to being caught and she wanted to give up. she came to the home of a French Huguenot Christian and a widow. someone came to say it was time to flee to a new place.

This Jewish lady said “It’s no use,they will find me anyway, they are so close behind.”

The Christian widow answered, “Yes,they will find somebody here, but it is time for you to go to safety-go with these people-I will take your identification and wait here.”

The Jewish lady then understood the plan. The Gestapo would come and find this Christian widow and think she was the fleeing Jew. The Jewish lady looked at her and asked, “Why are you doing this?”

The Christian widow responded, “It’s the least I can do Christ has already done that and more for me.”

The Christian widow was caught and imprisoned in place of the Jewish lady and inside of six months had died in a NAZI concentration camp.

The Jewish lady said, “I never forgot that. I too became a follower of that Jesus,my Messiah,and I have lived my life in service to others for him.”

She met God through the greatest love any person can give, personal self sacrifice.

In hard times an authentic Christian lives a life that is committed to the one who sees,the one who judges righteously. He or she says “It’s the least I can do Christ has already done so much more than that for me.”

God is the provider of all good things, he is the one who asks you to give him glory in your hard times, not by putting on a plastic smile and denying the reality of your suffering, but by recognizing that in your hardship, you can trust Him to work out things for His glory and eternal purpose.