Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai
INTRODUCTION
As we progress in the study of the book of Genesis, we see the spotlight shift away from Jacob to his children. In chapter 37, we gained wisdom from Joseph’s experience sharing his dream with the brothers, and how he ended up being sold as a slave (Genesis 37:28), and taken to Egypt. In chapter 38, the spotlight was on another of Jacob’s sons, Judah but in particular Tamar, his daughter in-law. Where we learnt the consequences of compromise and how God can still use broken people to fulfil His ultimate plans.
In today’s study we return to Joseph once again. Joseph’s story in Genesis 39 is a powerful example of diligent service, integrity and faithfulness to God amid temptation and false accusation. Though Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, he remained steadfast in his devotion to God. His loyalty was tested in Potiphar’s house, where temptation came through Potiphar’s wife—but Joseph’s godly character shone through. Let’s step into this encounter.
1. Faithfulness in Service (Verses 1-6)
Even in slavery, Joseph prospered because “the LORD was with him” (Verse 2). Joseph excelled even in a low position because of God’s presence. Now, here is a truth - God’s favor rests on those who serve faithfully, regardless of their circumstances. Joseph’s key to success was that he lived the kind of life that attracted the presence of God. But note that Joseph prospered because he engaged in service. He didn’t sit around bemoaning his situation. Colossians 3:22-25 (MSG) says:
“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work"
Joseph was indeed the kind of servant this scripture referred to here. When we work diligently at our secular jobs as unto the Lord, we receive a blessing from God as well as our earthly pay. God blessed Joseph greatly for a lifestyle that was pleasing to Him, and his faithfulness (diligence) was rewarded with double promotion from Potiphar. Verse 4 tells us of the first promotion: “So Joseph naturally became quite a favourite with him. Soon he was put in charge of the administration of Potiphar’s household, and all of his business affairs.
His diligence and integrity brought blessings to his master’s house. Verse 5 says: “At once the Lord began blessing Potiphar for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, his crops flourished and his flocks multiplied.”
So, Potiphar promoted Joseph and the Lord began blessing him too! Initially, the blessing was only for Joseph although Potiphar benefited from it. Instead of feeling threatened by the progress of Joseph, he capitalized on it. “If being in charge of admin brought this much blessing, imagine if I gave him complete responsibility over everything” He must have thought.
So in verse 6, Potiphar gave Joseph “. . . complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. He hadn’t a worry in the world with Joseph there, except to decide what he wanted to eat!”
There are people today who will not work diligently because they are working for someone. They fail to realize that faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibility. Luke 16:10 says: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
2. Faithfulness in Temptation (Verses 7–12)
The last line of verse 6 sets the tone for this section. The NLT says: “Joseph, by the way, was a very handsome young man.” As so, Potiphar’s wife cast her eyes upon him and tried repeatedly to seduce him. Joseph resisted by deploying three important actions:
i. Remembering his duty to his master (Verse 8–9a): Joseph was loyal.
Loyalty rooted in love, respect, and integrity can be a strong moral restraint that keeps someone from sinning against another. Joseph’s loyalty to Potiphar restrained him from sinning with Potiphar’s wife. When you value the trust someone places in you, your loyalty will help you resist any act that would break that trust.
Loyalty Flows from Love, and Love Does No Wrong. Romans 13:10 says: “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Also read the following scriptures (Proverbs 3:3, Psalm 85:10)
ii. Recognizing sin as an offense against God (Verse 9b)
Once we recognize that sin is primarily an offense against God, not merely a mistake or social wrong, it creates a spiritual awareness that changes how we respond to temptation. The more you value God’s holiness, the less you want to offend Him. Proverbs 16:6 says: “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”
The fear of God empowers believers to resist temptation. This fear becomes an inner compass, that steers us away from sin even when no one is watching. Despite the “passive” or softened names the world has labelled these acts of sin — an affair instead of adultery, white lies instead of falsehood, sleeping together instead of fornication, terminating a pregnancy instead of murder, greed called ambition, and pride disguised as self-confidence — we must recognize them for what they truly are: sin in the sight of a holy God. Here is what Isaiah 5:20 says: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
iii.Avoiding the situation (Verses 10–12)
The third action Joseph took was to flee! Avoiding temptation is wiser than trying to negotiate with it. You don’t get any brownie points for hanging around sin! There is a time to resist the devil where he will flee from you (James 4:7) – “"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.". But there is also a time to flee from sin! Especially sexual sins. (1 Corinthians 6:18a) – “Flee sexual immorality.”
3.Faithfulness in False Accusation (Verses 13–20)
Joseph’s righteousness did not shield him from lies or injustice. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him; Joseph was imprisoned. Sometimes faithfulness leads to suffering. Matthew 5:11–12 says: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
4.Faithfulness Rewarded (Genesis 39:21–23)
The first statement we read immediately after Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison was this: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy . . .” This leads to an important truth: circumstances may change, but God’s favor remains constant. Joseph did not lose focus or waver in his convictions. He did not regret his decision to remain pure and not defile himself with Potiphar’s wife. Nor did he complain when his master failed to trust him. For Joseph, integrity was not determined by circumstance — it was a steadfast commitment to God’s truth. This was evident in the way he carried himself in prison. He maintained the very same kind of life that attracted the presence of God. Even in prison, “the LORD was with Joseph.” And in no time, God’s favor gave him success and leadership again.
CONCLUSION
God’s presence is the greatest reward of faithfulness. Joseph’s faithfulness under trial reminds us that integrity is not circumstantial but must be rooted in our relationship with God. Like Joseph, we are called to honor God in every situation, trusting that His presence will sustain and reward us, even when others do not see or appreciate our righteousness. Proverbs 10:9 – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely.” Walking securely does not imply that we are exonerated from life’s challenges but we will be guided not to reap the consequences of foolishness.
As a matter of fact, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Joseph endured every trial he faced without being discouraged - thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, unjustly imprisoned and as we will later learn, even forgotten - because of one unshakable truth. God was with him. Oh! That we too might seek and cherish His ever-abiding presence!
