As we read this passage, some of us may be familiar with the narrative after years of hearing it in Sunday School. But, as we go through it again, let us read it in its larger context. Remember that Joseph is part of the chain of the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15).
(A) Joseph’s Character (Gen 39:1-6): An example for us to follow
The writer of Genesis begins Gen 39 with the word “now”. The "now" is a storytelling device that points to the larger context. Remember how the Bible in its original form did not have verse and chapter. Gen 39 was meant to be read in the larger context of Genesis (i.e. curse and blessing) and even as a contrast to Judah in the previous chapter, Gen 38.
The last time we read about Joseph in Gen 37, he was sold off in slavery to a foreign land and away from his family. In Gen 39, Joseph finds favor with his Egyptian master. The first four verses of this chapter are written beautifully, to give us a picture of Joseph being brought low, then raise up again. Joseph was "brought down" to Egypt, which was always a symbol for trouble in Genesis. Jacob's favoured son with the colourful coat now was a mere slave and foreigner in the great nation of Egypt, powerless and victimised. Yet, Gen 39:2-4 describe Jacob's ascension and success in his work ("made overseer", "put in charge"). Why? The writer does not leave it up for us to guess. He writes plainly that all this happened because The Lord was with him.
Though a mere slave in a foreign land, Joseph lived in such a way that God's identity was clear. Even Potiphar could see the hand of God in his life (Gen 39:3). Remember, however, that this is not a simplistic formula -- that great blessing comes to us if we toe the line and live in obedience to God. What can we learn from these verses? Joseph was part of the redemptive plan, but yet, at this point, he's away from family and a slave in a foreign land. Just because we are Christians and we have God's presence doesn't remove suffering from our life. Yet, also in the darkest, painful moments, something of God is seen in his life. Joseph did not ditch God, because God has apparently "ditched" him. Wouldn't we be tempted to do so if we were in his shoes? If God was to remove everything in your life that you claim as your right, would your faith crumble? Would you still believe that The Lord is with you? Would other people still see you living your faith in this God? From Gen 39, we read that Joseph's faith still remains in this dark moment.
Gen 39:5-6 also help us understand something about the relationship between Christians and the world. Because of Joseph, Potiphar was greatly blessed, both in his public and private sphere ("the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field", v5). Potiphar had no concerns, save for what he ate everyday (Gen 39:6). This is amazing because through Joseph in seemingly unfortunate circumstances, God's blessing also reached an Egyptian. This fulfills Gen 12, where God promised Abraham that through his offspring, all nations will be blessed. The rest of Genesis unfolds this promise, and even in a later chapter of Genesis, we see a fulfilment of this promise in some form.
Gen 39 shows us God's grace. And it is a picture of Christians in the world today! As we go out into the world, we don't do so on our own and alone, but we are promised His presence (c.f. Matt 28:20, Acts1:8). Do you genuinely know that God's spirit and presence is with you?
(B) Joseph’s Temptation (Gen 39:7-10): Warning for us to heed
Potiphar’s wife commands Joseph to lie with her (Gen 39:7). This is awkward for Joseph, because she is in a position of power but he is a slave. This brings to mind the interaction between Judah, the patriarch, and Tamar, the widow with no rights in Gen 38.
Joseph rejects Potiphar’s wife with 3 arguments (Gen 39:7-9).
Joseph was aware that he was a slave that was promoted to this standing now. He was fully aware that he is a steward, entrusted with the master's possessions, which were not his own (Gen 39:8).
Joseph also recognizes the institution of marriage (Gen 39:9a). The wife was not an object that can be loaned.
Joseph recognised that to do so would be a great wickedness, against God. It was not mere wickedness that broke some social moral code, but it was great and ultimately offended God (Gen 39:9b).
Despite Joseph's rejection, Potiphar's wife persisted in her request and continued demanding that Joseph sleep with her (Gen 39:10). She was resolute in her pursuit of sin, and continued to feed and fuel her desires. Joseph's resistance was evident too -- he would not agree and he would also not put himself in a situation where he could be caught in impropriety (Gen 39:10).
Joseph was aware that sin against man was ultimately sin against God. No where in these verses did Joseph appeal to moral reasoning. These verses also show how this was a man that processed life in God terms. Everything was seen with respect to God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that the blessed in heart will see God (Matt 5:8). Those that see God will therefor want to keep their heart pure. Joseph gives us an important lesson in our fight against sin -- remember that it is against God. Only then can we fight and overcome it.
Yet, this is not all. This account is not merely a good moral example for us to follow.
(C) Joseph’s Antitype: Savior we are to love
Joseph's account is meant to point forward to one who will not bow his knee to his desire, to anyone else but God -- Jesus. Yes, Joseph was rejected by his family and sold into slavery. Yes, Joseph continued to live a life of faithfulness into a foreign land, and resisted repeated temptations. But remember the larger context of Genesis, and the Bible. These were all written to instruct us on how to live, but also to point to the seed of the woman, the one who will undo the curse of sin completely!
In Matt 4, we have the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Jesus did not obtain what his heart desired -- the kingdoms of the world and power --through alternative means, away from the cross. Jesus was so saturated in God's word, and loved God wholeheartedly, and stood firm in obedience to God completely. Even on the cross, he quoted scripture. Jesus stood there in the wilderness, yet remained without sin. At the end of the gospel, Jesus, though he lived a perfect life, died the death of an adulterer, a pervert, a sinner.
This Savior came for those that say "I cannot save myself and I need a Savior".