The Issue: Trust Man or Trust God?

Text from Genesis 39:11b-23:

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, 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. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 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. 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.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 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. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

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. 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. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 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. 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.

Teaching: One of the many things I admire about Joseph is his consistency. You could predict his behavior because he was a “Steady Eddie” personality, an even keel, a “box” in the Shapes curriculum. He was a rule-follower. The leaders in Egypt elevated Joseph to positions of authority because he was trustworthy. Folks could count on him. He was not an excuse-maker, or someone who claimed, “But you don’t understand!” or “You’re misrepresenting me.” No; folks knew Joseph’s track record and they trusted him because he’d earned that trust.

Encouragement: Again and again in Scripture, we read this refrain about Joseph: “the LORD was with him” and/or “The LORD was with Joseph” (Gen 39:2, 3, 23). Folks, this is essential doctrine. We’re to keep short accounts with God, because God sees all.

Joseph endured immense sufferings due to the jealousy and sins of others, whether that be his kith and kin, the rulers in Egypt, a harlotrous wife, prisoners, et al. But “the LORD was with Joseph.” If you’re in Christ, dear ones, the Lord is with you. Be encouraged. God sees and God’s truth prevails.