(Genesis) Genesis 39:8-10
Joseph's loyalty to God is tested when he is tempted by Potiphar's wife, and he refuses to give in, demonstrating his high moral character.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph from the Bible. He highlights Joseph's commitment to serving God and maintaining a high moral standard, even in a land filled with idolatry. Joseph's refusal to give in to the advances of Potiphar's wife demonstrates his strong belief in the sanctity of marriage and his desire to remain faithful to God. Despite facing constant temptation, Joseph remains steadfast in his commitment to God, which ultimately leads to a brewing resentment from Potiphar's wife. The sermon emphasizes the importance of staying true to God's commandments and the potential consequences of straying from them.
Full Transcript
Now notice, "...and he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master what if not what is with me in the house. That is, he doesn't know all, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. There is none greater in his house than I, neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife.
How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Now do you notice that this young man is serving God in all of this? When he went down to the land of Egypt which was loaded with idols, it was a land filled with idolatry just as much as Babylon was. In that land of idolatry, Joseph maintained a testimony for the living and true God and a high moral standard. When this woman enticed him, why, he said, no, he said, my master's turned over everything to me but you, you're his wife.
Look what a high viewpoint that Joseph had of marriage at this time. Way back here at the beginning, you see God gave marriage to mankind. It's given to all mankind.
And when a man begins to despise the marriage vow, he is beginning to despise God, friends, and a man that will do that will generally break any vow he's made to God. It's been always interesting for me to note in my ministry that a divorced person, that is who gets a divorce because he's been unfaithful, that generally that individual will get as far from God as any person possibly can. And I've seen that happen again and again.
Now Joseph here is attempting to be true to God, and what a high viewpoint that he has. Now look what's going to come to pass because of the fact that he is attempting to serve the living and true God. It came to pass as she spake to Joseph day by day that he hearken not unto her to lie by her or to be with her.
You see this man Potiphar as an officer of Pharaoh is away from home a great deal. I expect maybe too much away from home. And this woman didn't just tempt Joseph one time, but again and again and again.
It was a constant temptation to him, and this young man did not yield. Well, you can imagine that welling up in her now, there is just absolutely boiling a resentment now against Joseph. And the old bromide has it.
Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned. And believe me, she's going to take revenge on Joseph.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Joseph's situation
- A. Joseph is serving God in a land of idolatry
- B. He maintains a high moral standard
- II. The temptation of Joseph
- A. Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce Joseph
- B. Joseph refuses, citing his loyalty to his master
- III. The consequences of Joseph's actions
- A. Potiphar's wife becomes resentful and seeks revenge
- B. Joseph's loyalty to God is tested
Key Quotes
“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” — J. Vernon McGee
“When a man begins to despise the marriage vow, he is beginning to despise God, friends, and a man that will do that will generally break any vow he's made to God.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We must remain loyal to God even in the face of temptation.
- Despising the marriage vow can lead to a breakdown in our relationship with God.
- We must maintain a high moral standard in our daily lives.