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Joseph was alone, surrounded by heathen customs, sub ject to a great temptation— a custom of the country. If he yielded, he could possibly supersede his employer. To refuse the call of the w ife of Potiphar would incite her wrath. But he was tru to his employer. He feared God and God was with him. His will was yielded to God, “How can I?” Faith’s Triumph. The scorned woman hated him, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Potiphar sent him to prison. (3) JOSEPH IN PRISON, Ch. 40 “Into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound” v. 3. The loyalty of Joseph to God and to his master, was re warded by promotion (? ) from being a steward in a great house, to stewardship in a prison. Here is a new and strange trial for a young man. Why should virtue be re warded by such a strange sentence? God’s school for the training of Christian workers is different from man’s (Isa. 55:8) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” God schools in suffering. Moses—weaned from Egypt. David— driven like a hunted hare. Paul— buffeted and beaten. (Read Hebrews 11). Joseph had made no complaint. He patiently trusted and waited upon God. “And it came to pass” (39:21-23; 4 0 :1 ). The rugged path of his life was smoothed by the privilege of service for his fellow-prisoners: “Wherefore look ye so sadly today?” (v. 7) T h e , training of the heart can never be done in the schools. It mdst be obtained in the personal touch with the hearts of the people. There is a story behind the face of every man. The two prisoners played a large part in the life of Joseph, and the hand of God is seen again be hind the scenes. They told Joseph their dreams and his reply revealed his spiritual attitude. “Interpretations belong to God.” No Higher Critic or Modernist can interpret God’s Word. The natural man can know facts, but the Holy Spirit alone can reveal spiritual things (Psa. 25:14; Isa. 8:19: Rom. 8: 19-23; 1 Cor. 12:10, 11) Joseph interpreted the dreams and the third day— Phar aoh’s birthday— the butler was restored to his position and the baker was hanged. Topics for Study (1) What are the main essentials in the formation of true character? (2) Is hatred a characteristic of God, and of the new nature, as well as of the old nature? (3) Should we expect a strong character manifested with out severe discipline? (4) Should we seek to know the power of our appetites, in order to fortify ourselves against them? (5) Are the present-day temptations more definite than ever before, and why? (6) Would you be willing to enter God’s school and learn His lessons at any cost? (7) What impresses you most in the character of Joseph, as outlined in these three chapters? (8) Why is it impossible for a person who denies any of the Word of God to be a wise or helpful interpreter of any of it?
Joseph’s brethren hated him because they envied him. (Prov. 14:30). He was about seventeen years old, and his father’s favorite. He was different from them, he was mature in thought and life. Some things in the lives of his brothers were a reproach to the family, and Joseph told his father of them. Silence is sometimes a sin. The robe of colors given to him by his father accentu ated the hatred of his brethren. His dreams antagonized them. His pure, separate life incensed them. (Matt. 21: 45, 46). Every good life antagonizes professional Chris tians. The growth of evil is natural. Envy, hatred, murder, are the steps in crime. The brothers waited only for an opportunity (Jas. 1:15) When the opportunity presented itself they availed themselves of it (Luke 20:14 ). They consigned Joseph, as they thought, to death and then sat down and partook of the dainties provided by him. (Jer. 3 8 :6 ). The depth of their hatred is evidenced in their presentation of the blood-stained robe to the old, broken-hearted father, and then living a lie for twenty years. The story is a real one and gives a vivid view of the hu man heart, controlled by envy. (Acts 7 :9 ). A New Testa ment testimony is found in Matt. 27:18. Envy has a root which brings a hateful harvest. (1 Tim. 6:4) (2 ) JOSEPH IN POTIPHAR’S HOUSE, Ch. 39 “And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian” v. 2. The key to Joseph’s life is found in the second verse “And the Lord was with Joseph.” His lifé is a kind of panorama in which he himself plays the leading part. Be hind the scene is the hand of God. What a quick transition from the petted, privileged son to that of a slave in Egypt. You will seek in vain for any record of complaint or fault-finding with God in all Joseph’s years of bondage. God’s men must be tested and tried. The making of a real man in no picnic experience in any walk of life. Joseph does not know that years of testing are before him. “God kindly veils His face.” Some of us could not have lived had we known beforehand the trials awaiting us. Jesus knew what was before Him, and Paul had a vision of what awaited him. Should we not be trained to ex pect trials? Perfection of character demands severe dis cipline. You cannot wear a crown unless you bear a cross. The more beautiful the crown, the more burdensome the cross. The force of Providence carried Joseph along. He was no slacker, although he was a slave. He had something to do. Nothing is so trying and debasing for any man as an unoccupied life. No prisoner should be left to a lazy life. It is fatal to the best interests of any man to be left with idle hands in prison or out. A busy life is a blessed life for any man. Jehovah was with him, and “he was prosperous.” Think of a prosperous slave! Potipher had'' his eyes upon him. Although he was a heathen, he had sense enough to favor the man that worked for him. He found what he had been looking for— an overseer for his house. He found what Laban found in Jacob (30 :27 ). Joseph honored God by being a faithful servant and God honoured him by ad vancing him to a larger trust. (Josh. 1:7, 8; Prov. 16:7; Luke 16:10) Thè Test of Faith. Joseph was a handsome man. He was well favored and his gifts and natural advantages made him a target for the enemy. A fine face and form and intellect are a snare to any man. They usually lead to pride “which goeth before a fall.”
ARE YOU A FAITHFUL STEWARD? SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER
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