Reading
Genesis 39:20-40:23
Thought
Modern prisons are bad enought today, but they pale in comparison with the ancient prisons of Egypt. It seemed as if Joseph was punished for doing right, but God, in His sovereign plan, used 13 difficult years to prepare Joseph for 80 years of service.
Even though we do not admit it at the time, God knows what He is doing all the time. Humanly speaking, Joseph was a prime candidate for bitterness. Joseph refused to fail of the grace of God. Your spiritual success is not based on what others have done to you, but on your response to what has been done to you.
Let's learn from Joseph: the guy who refused to be bitter! Joseph's RESPONSE to his prison sentence is an example to us, proving that God's GRACE is always sufficient. Read through the outline below to get a good grasp on Joseph's prison time.
1. Joseph's response to the PRISON GUARD...TOTAL SUBMISSION! (39:21)
2. Joseph's response to the PRISONERS...TOLERANCE! (39:22)
3. Joseph's response to the PRESENCE OF GOD...TRUST! (39:23)
4. Joseph's response to POTIPHAR...OBEDIENCE! (40:1-2)
5. Joseph's response to PHARAOH'S OFFICERS...COMPASSION! (40:4)
a. He served them.
b. He saw that they were sad.
c. He spoke the truth in love.
6. Joseph's response to his PAST LIFE...ENDURANCE! (40:14-15)
a. He knew his life was unfair. He refused to allow it to affect his choices as a godly servant.
b. He did not use his tough situation as an excuse to sin.
c. He continued to have HOPE. He never gave up!
Questions
1. Who does Genesis 39:21 and 23 say was with Joseph even while he was in prison?
2. The presence of God can make a prison a palace, or a palace a prison: depending on your relationship with God. Read Genesis 40:1-4. What does verse 4 say Joseph did to the butler and the baker?
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3 comments:
Questions:
1.god was with Joseph
2.Joseph attended to them.
1. God
2. Joseph attended with them.
1. the Lord
2.served him
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