Sunday School Lesson for Jan. 1, 2012: Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39)

Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.





Genesis 39:3
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.





Genesis 39:5
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.





Genesis 39:9
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?







This was the second robe that Joseph had parted with. The first was taken by his brothers. Described as a robe of many colors, it was representative of the possibility that lay before this favorite son of Jacob. The son he desired from the beginning because he was the first son of his beloved wife, Rachel. Joseph had an aura of possibility and gifting surrounding him. He looked ‘Blessed’. Additionally, Joseph would not deny his gifting to keep the peace among his siblings. He was gifted and he knew it. It drove his brothers to such jealousy that they ambushed him, took his robe and sold him into slavery. Ultimately, the robe of many colors, which came to represent authority among his people, did not serve him well. A calling to authority does not immediately qualify you for it. Time, preparation and testing are key ingredients to the construction of quality leadership. This was just a test.

As a slave, Joseph quickly rose through the ranks to a position of authority in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar recognized his gifts and talents and gave Joseph ….a robe. In Potiphar’s house, the robe given to Joseph identified him as the chief person in authority in Potiphar’s house. I’m sure Potiphar had a robe too; he was captain of the guard of Pharaoh’s army. He probably donned his robe (of authority) at work, as most of us do, and removed it upon his return to his home. At work, he may have been referred to a “Mr. Potiphar”, but at home, maybe “Jim”. Reciprocally, when performing his responsibilities in Potiphar’s home, Joseph’s robe identified him as one who was in authority in the moment in that particular place.

Leadership requires character. Character is built through proper training and then testing. This was such a moment for Joseph. There will always be people who, when they recognize gifting and anointing in others, will seek to exploit it for their own selfish purposes. The question becomes: will you compromise your beliefs, your principles when tempted with short term gain or pleasure. Many do. However, when faced with temptation of sexual pleasure with the wife of his master (Joseph was a slave, not an employee), Joseph repeatedly refused. He had been taught well.

There’s one other thing to make note of: Joseph guarded his heart. He recognized that his gifting was from God and he had never taken that fact lightly. Joseph recognized that God had elevated him in Potiphar’s house. He would disregard the favor and protection of God in favor of a few stolen moments of sin.

Finally, Potiphar’s wife, in a fit of passion rejected, grabs his robe. In a moment realization, Joseph recognizes that being ‘head’ of Potiphar’s house is not the final repository for the gifting and anointing on his life, so he leaves ….his robe …again. In doing so, Joseph demonstrated that he would not compromise his character or his convictions. Good for him and …for us.

Beloved, Scripture is full of stories of human weakness and failure. Yea! I am acutely aware of my own shortcomings, my own character flaws. I thank God for Jesus everyday. But, in Joseph’s story we find a wonderful example of someone who manages to resist temptation because of his regard for his relationship with God. As Christians this is the challenge before us daily. We are to be living examples of God’s ability to change lives in a meaningful way. With God’s help and God’s strength we overcome. We don’t conform to the world, we transform it as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that in all things we may prove what is that good, acceptable, perfect will of God. Joseph went on to do exactly that. So can we, but we must be salt and light in a wicked and perverse generation. The old folks have a saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Stand! And when you’ve done all you can do to stand. Stand!





.wb



P.S. - Please allow me to thank you all for your kind support and continued encouragement in this overview of the weekly Sunday School Lesson. I appreciate your feedback and, for those of you that I get to talk to, I enjoy the discussion. May you have a Blessed and Prosperous 2012 and beyond. May God shed his Favor on you all. May He cause His face shine upon you. May you be called ‘Blessed”.







1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.





Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.





Ephesians 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.