Joseph Had Been Taught Something

by Micky Galloway

Joseph was a great grandson of Abraham, the eleventh son of Jacob, and the firstborn son of Rachel. He is an important character in the Old Testament, connecting the history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Canaan to the subsequent history of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers at the age of seventeen, yet rose to become the most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. Little did he know that he would not see his family for 22 years. During this time Joseph demonstrates that he had been taught some things. His mature decisions would make him one of the great heroes of the Bible.

Joseph’s half-brothers hated him especially for his dreams. While in Dothan, when they were feeding the flocks, the brothers saw Joseph from afar and plotted to kill him. “Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, an evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams” (Genesis 37:19-20). Unaware of their intent, Joseph approached his brothers. They turned on him, stripped him of his coat of many colors that his father made for him, and threw him into the a pit. Joseph was sold by his brothers to some Midianite merchantmen who carried him to Egypt where he was sold to “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard” (Genesis 37:36).

Potiphar’s wife “day by day” (Genesis 39:10), tempted Joseph to commit fornication with her. Joseph’s refusal was prompt and firm. He did not negotiate or rationalize. Why did Joseph refuse her improper advances? (1) Joseph could not betray his master’s trust. Joseph said, “Behold my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand” (Genesis 39:8). (2) Joseph also recognized the sanctity of marriage, even if this woman did not. “He is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife.” (3) Most importantly, Joseph asks, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Therefore, Joseph “Fled and got him out” (Gen. 39:12).

Joseph had been taught the importance of trust. In Potiphar’s house, later in prison, and then as second in command of all Egypt, Joseph was attentive, diligent, and conscientious in the performance of his duties as well as faithful and devoted to the interest of those he served. God was with Joseph and made “all that he did to prosper in his hand” (cf. Genesis 39:2,3,21,23; cf. Acts 7:9). Trust is essential to the success of any relationship. Concerning the servant / master relationship, Paul wrote, “Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:22-23). Masters are to “render unto your servants that which is just and equal …” (Colossians 4:1). In Potiphar’s house, Joseph had been treated very well. “He was a prosperous man” (Genesis 39:2). He would not violate the trust Potiphar had bestowed upon him. Trust is precious and is defined as “belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc.” (Webster). Trust is especially important in marriage. “A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusteth in her …” (Proverbs 31:10-11). Once trust has been violated, it is difficult to restore.

Joseph had been taught that marriage is honorable. The Scriptures teach, “(Let) marriage (be) had in honor among all, and (let) the bed (be) undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded for his rebuke of Herod. “For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (Mark 6:17-18). Some tell us that this was unlawful because it was incest. Would it have been lawful for him to have your wife instead of his brother’s wife? Joseph understood that he could not have any other man’s wife! Realizing the dangerous circumstances, he “Fled and got him out” (Genesis 39:12). Paul instructed Timothy, “But flee youthful lusts …” (II Timothy 2:22; cf. I Corinthians 6:18).

Joseph had been taught the wickedness of sin. The apostle John said, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4 KJV). Any time any person transgresses the “law” of God he sins “against God”! The God of the Bible is “Almighty” (Genesis 17:1). He is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalms 19:2). He is omnipresent (Psalms 139:7-10). His “understanding is infinite” (Psalms 147:5). He is the creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). The Bible says that “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We fall short of the “manifested perfection of His character” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Even though multitudes make light of sin, sin is no laughing matter! Sin was responsible for man’s expulsion from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23). It brought spiritual death (Genesis 2:17; cf. Romans 6:23), and physical death (Genesis 3:19). It is responsible for every broken home, every murder, and every manifestation of man’s ugliness to man. Certainly, of even greater consequence, sin alienates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), leaving him without God, and without hope (Ephesians 2:12). The very reason Jesus came into the world was, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The horror of sin is seen in its cost. Jesus shed his blood to make possible “the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

Joseph from a youth had been taught something. These tools sustained him during the most difficult times of his life. Children who learn the value of trust, the commitment and honor of marriage, and the wickedness of sin are truly blessed.