Immanuel - God with Joseph in slavery and in prison

The Lord Be With You

(Genesis 39:1-23, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 26, 2015)

[39:1] Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. [2] The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. [3] His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. [4] So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. [5] From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. [6] So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

The Lord blessed Potiphar greatly because of Joseph. “The Lord was with him.”

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. [7] And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” [8] But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. [9] He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” [10] And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

[11] But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, [12] she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. [13] And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, [14] she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. [15] And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” [16] Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, [17] and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. [18] But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

[19] As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. [20] And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. [21] But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. [22] And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. [23] The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

Yet he was the victim of a concerted evil attack from an enemy within the household. Joseph was unjustly imprisoned, but he once again succeeded because the Lord was with him.

Put the Word to Work: How can we be sure that the Lord is with us in our lives? Our certainty comes from His very explicit Word (Matthew 28), which is entirely consistent with the theology of the cross (Romans 8), even though we will suffer many tribulations.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 132:11 – The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.”

Gospel Reading—Matthew 24:3-14 – Signs of the close of the age

39:1-6a – IMMANUEL IN SLAVERY – The Lord blessed Potiphar greatly because of Joseph. “The Lord was with him.”

After an important interlude regarding the beginning of the line of Judah (Genesis 38), we now return to the story of Jacob's favorite son, Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his envious brothers. Joseph ended up in the home of an Egyptian official, Potiphar, “the captain of the guard.” We learn that “the Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.”

Joseph lives out for us the pattern of a righteous man leading a godly life even in the land of his captivity. It is evident to Potiphar that the Lord is the source of the good that is coming through this young man. “His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.”

39:6b-23 – IMMANUEL IN PRISON – Yet he was the victim of a concerted evil attack from an enemy within the household. Joseph was unjustly imprisoned, but he once again succeeded because the Lord was with him.

This positive appraisal led to an expansion of Joseph's duties. Potiphar trusted Joseph. But there was a substantial problem within the captain's house. His wife was attracted to Joseph and sought to bring about an immoral liaison with her husband's trusted servant. Though Joseph resisted this temptation and even tried to keep her advances as a private matter, she eventually lied to her husband when she was caught in an embarrassing spot, contending that Joseph had assaulted her. This landed Joseph in prison, though he had done nothing wrong.

Joseph's incarceration in Pharaoh's prison was providential, as the story of the man who would one day interpret Pharaoh's dreams would reveal. Meanwhile, Joseph was once again greatly blessed by the presence of the Lord in his life. “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Once again Joseph's duties increased as he proved that he was a trustworthy man. But the words of Genesis 39 gave credit where credit was due. This favor was all due to the work of the Lord. “The Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”

OUR GOD IS WITH US – How can we be sure that the Lord is with us in our lives? Our certainty comes from His very explicit Word (Matthew 28), which is entirely consistent with the theology of the cross (Romans 8), even though we will suffer many tribulations.

Michael Card has a song called “The Silence of God” that contains this line: “Even followers get lost, cause we all get lost sometimes.” We may not feel the presence of God, and we may decide that our lives are more failure than success. We need to remember these words from the famous William Cowper hymn: “Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” Paul David Tripp talks about someone living in basement with the windows covered up. The darkness the person experiences does not mean that the sun is not shining outside. Illustration of William Wilberforce in the final years of his life including the action of Parliament upon hearing of his death, and words on tombstone: Metaxas in Amazing Grace, pp. 266, 273-274, 275, and 278.

Don't judge God's presence in your life based on your circumstances, feelings, or personality. Value the Lord's Word, His good theology based on the Scriptures, and the testimony of the church far more than these. Jesus said, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) Surely the God who gave His Son for us will freely give us all things as we seek to serve Him well. (Romans 8:32) Though we face many tribulations, we have comfort and victory even now through God's honest truth and the faithful encouragement of friends.

Abused? Cursed? God raises the dead!

The Face of His Anointed

(Genesis 38:1-30, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 19, 2015)

[38:1] It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. [2] There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, [3] and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. [4] She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. [5] Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.
[6] And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. [7] But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death. [8] Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” [9] But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. [10] And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also. [11] Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father's house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father's house.

The beginning of the tribe of Messiah was disappointing. Sin and fear were more obvious than obedience and faith.

[12] In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua's daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. [13] And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” [14] she took off her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. [15] When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. [16] He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” [17] He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” [18] He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. [19] Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.
[20] When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her. [21] And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” [22] So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’” [23] And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”
[24] About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” [25] As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” [26] Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

Rather than just accept her hopeless condition, one abused woman carried out an outrageous plan.

[27] When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. [28] And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” [29] But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. [30] Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

The tribe of Judah, including Jesus, would come from her, and her life would be used as a blessing (Ruth 4).

Put the Word to Work: Do not presume that your life is over just because of the abuse you have suffered. God raises the dead. He loves the face of His Anointed. Look to Him in the worst distress.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 132:10 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 24:1-2 – Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple

Sometimes we think we know things that we really don't know.

Evidence

(Genesis 37:12-36, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 12, 2015)

[12] Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. [13] And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” [14] So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. [15] And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” [16] “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” [17] And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

How might life have been different for Joseph without this one man? But why go there? Only the Lord is God.

[18] They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. [19] They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. [20] Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” [21] But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” [22] And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. [23] So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. [24] And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Even intense envy and hatred may have some restraints. But it can get out of control quickly.

[25] Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. [26] Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? [27] Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. [28] Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Judah would be very important in the drama that would follow years later. This was not his finest hour. Yet the Lord was already using him to save a life. Joseph was always in God's hands. The Lord had a plan for good even in the evil actions of his brothers (Genesis 50:20). See also Acts 2:23 concerning the cross of Christ, the center of faith.

[29] When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes [30] and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” [31] Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. [32] And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.” [33] And he identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” [34] Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. [35] All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. [36] Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Reuben was devastated and unable to lead in any good direction. The decision to lie to their father was cruel, and they were all guilty for this. Jacob was devastated. How would he/they ever survive? Only by the grace of God.

Put the Word to Work: What even a godly man may consider to be “without doubt” in the midst of his worst nightmare may be entirely wrong. We will only find solid joy through the blood of Jesus. What story do the garments of Jesus tell (John 19:23-24)? What is the message of His death and resurrection? Our Savior, revealed to us so reliably in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is our only stable foundation for godly living.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 132:9

[9] Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 23:37-39 – Lament over Jerusalem

Do you have a dream?

The Journey to the Resting Place of God

(Genesis 37:1-11, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 5, 2015)

[37:1] Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.
[2] These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. [3] Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. [4] But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

God rested on the seventh day from all His works (Genesis 2 and Hebrews 4). Jacob was on a journey to His resting place. The remainder of Jacob's life, though already very remarkable prior to the birth of his favorite son, was largely defined by events surrounding the young man Joseph. So clearly the beloved of his father, Joseph would only reach a glorious end through much trial.

[5] Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. [6] He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: [7] Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” [8] His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

Joseph's dreams were not the source of his brothers' antagonism toward him, but they certainly did not help matters. These dreams were divinely inspired—special acts of God's providence that would find fulfillment in the years to come. Joseph would one day reign over his brothers like a king.

[9] Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” [10] But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” [11] And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Jacob did not know what to do with Joseph's second dream where even Joseph's father and mother would be placed beneath their great son. Joseph's brothers were jealous, but Jacob “kept the saying in mind.”

Put the Word to Work: Joseph was at the beginning of a journey that would bring him very low before he would be lifted up to a resting place of reigning honor. This same path to glory would one day be traveled by the final King of the Jews and His beloved followers. It is of great aid to us as we face the trials of the journey, to reflect upon the assurances that the Lord has given us regarding our final destination. We shall reign with Christ forever.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 132:8

[8] Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 23:1-36 – Seven woes to the scribes and the Pharisees