3. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts’
Isaiah 55:9
4. The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm
forever, the purposes of his heart
through all generations
Psalm 33:10-11
5. 1. Diligent work is a powerful witness
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered …
the Lord gave him success in everything he did …
the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian
because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was
on everything Potiphar had … both in the house
and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he
had in Joseph’s care …
Gen 39:2-6
6. 1. Diligent work is a powerful witness
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for human masters
Col 3:23
7. 2. Success can lead to vulnerability
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
and after a while his master’s wife took
notice of Joseph and said,
‘Come to bed with me!’
8. “We may expect temptation in the days of
prosperity and ease rather than in those of
privation and toil, not when we are climbing the
steep ladder of fame, but when we’ve entered
the golden portals; not where men frown, but
where they smile sweet exquisite smiles of
flattery – it is there, it is there, that the
temptress lies in wait. Beware”.
F B Meyer
9. 2. Success can lead to vulnerability
Temptation is inevitable
… each person is tempted when they are
dragged away by their own evil desire and
enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-
grown, gives birth to death
James 1:14-15
10. 3. Joseph resists temptation
But he refused. ‘With me in charge,’ … my
master does not concern himself with
anything in the house; everything he owns
he has entrusted to my care
Gen 39:8
11. 3. Joseph resists temptation
No one is greater in this house than I am.
My master has withheld nothing from me
except you, because you are his wife.
How then could I do such a wicked thing
and sin against God?’
Gen 39:9
12. 3. Joseph resists temptation
And though she spoke to Joseph day
after day, he refused to go to bed
with her or even to be with her
Gen 39:9b-10
13. Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. 8 Come near to God and he will
come near to you. Wash your hands,
you sinners, and purify your hearts,
you double-minded
James 1:7-8
14. 3. Joseph resists temptation
And though she spoke to Joseph day
after day, he refused to go to bed
with her or even to be with her
Gen 39:9b-10
15. 4. Potiphar’s wife wants revenge
Gen 39:11-20
"Heaven has no rage like love to
hatred turned,
nor hell a fury like a
woman scorned."
William Congreve
