Last Saturday 19th May, we had the second of the series of Bible study on the life of Joseph. This was held at the chapel at THQ.
The brothers were annoyed when they heard Joseph, the favourite in the family describe his dreams. The dreams were suggestive of his future greatness and exaltation.To add fuel to fire his filial duty and sense of accountability compelled him to make honest report concerning his unworthy brothers.
Jacob sent Joseph to look for the brothers who were pasturing their flocks at Shechem. Joseph found them at Dothan. There, Joseph was thrown into a pit and then later sold as a slave and was taken into Egypt. He became a servant to Potiphar.
His Dedication was different.
Obviously he must be a very good servant to Potiphar, totally dedicated to his work. We see a sequence of events (39: 1-6) which culminated in his promotion to high office in Potiphar's household. The Lord was with Joseph; hence his lovely attitude and effectiveness. Potiphar increased Joseph's authority and responsibility and let him handle everything except the food Potiphar ate. Potiphar's household was blessed because of the presence and dedication of Joseph.
Joseph was a man of integrity. As Christians we are expected to be people of total integrity. Let us be intentional in holy living.
Later Joseph was wrongly accused and put into prison. Whether in Potiphar's mansion or in prison, he maintained that sense of dedication. As prisoner and slave he could have become bitter, but the Lord was with him and he continued to be dedicated to whatever responsibility given him. Even the Chief prison officer made him in charge of other prisoners.
As the days passed thoughts of his own adverse circumstances receded from his mind. In prison he noticed people who were sad and needed help. He was able to interpret the dreams of two prisoners. He used his gift of interpreting dreams as a ministry even in prison. As the Lord's servant we can always engage in minstry no matter where we are placed or under what circumstances.
His Devotion was different.
Joseph was not only dedicated to his work, he was also devoted to the Lord and his master. Let us give total devotion to our duty regardless of who is the master. Although they were not of the same faith and race, Joseph served Potiphar faithfully and gave him full devotion.
Potiphar's wife tried many times to seduce Joseph (39: 6-12), but Joseph did not yield to temptation. Joseph a man of God would not sin against the Lord. Sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults, it is an act of disobedience to God. One day when they were alone together, she made a desperate attempt by grabbing him by his coat. Joseph fled from the scene. Sometimes we need more than avoiding temptation, we have to flee from it.
"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, not hell a fury like a woman scorned." William Congreve. Potiphar's wife's infatuation turned to cold hatred.
The lady committed perjury. She turned the tables and accused Joseph of attempted rape. The result, Joseph was thrown into prison.
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