Week of October 16, 2016
Monday: Genesis 39:1-6a
Two major themes of Joseph’s story are introduced today: divine providence and the success of the underdog. In fact, these
are major themes throughout all of Scripture.
• Where do you see examples of divine providence in this
passage? In your life?
•
Last week Joseph was the tattling little brother thrown into a pit and
sold into slavery, yet this week he is overseer of a captain’s household.
How did he get that promotion? His new master, Potiphar, saw that his
Hebrew slave was successful at whatever he did and further observed
that it was God’s presence causing Joseph’s prosperity. Desiring to harness this blessing for himself Potiphar put Jacob’s young son in charge
of everything.
What follows for Joseph in our Scripture is a situation clinical
psychologist and author Henry Cloud warns about in his book
Boundaries for Leaders...the farther you climb to the top of any
organization, the fewer people remain to direct your focus, energy,
and direction. At the top there is no one to set your boundaries but
yourself. As Cloud defines them, boundaries are the structures that
determine what you will create and what you will allow. Since a
major theme of Genesis is the blessing the
world receives by association with Abraham’s
descendants, the patterns Joseph enacts and
permits in his life have consequences for the
Genesis 39:6b-21
rest of us.
Joseph is ridiculously in charge of Potiphar’s estate, yet with all
that license his one clear boundary is Potiphar’s wife. He does not
use his status or his power to take advantage. His loyalty to God
and to Potiphar, his vision for the future, and his good character
give him resolve even when no one is watching. Joseph’s unwavering boundary doesn’t create space for adultery or deception. It also
doesn’t allow him to be intimidated or bullied, and because he is not
complicit, Joseph is falsely imprisoned. Ironically, it’s in this hostile
environment that he creates another important boundary...Joseph
does not allow his negative experiences to define him. Joseph is resilient. His commitment to his identity in God will be the vehicle God
uses throughout his story as he grows as a leader and his sphere of
influence, and blessing, widens.
— Jennifer Garen, First Church member
Consider
the Source
• Can you identify places in the story where actual
circumstances appear in contrast to these claims? What
does that mean for godly people today?
Tuesday: Genesis 39: 6b-10
Joseph was in a position where he was forced to choose
between disobeying his mistress and his master. No choice
looked favorable. Luckily for him (and us) there is another
authority to look to.
•
When we last left Joseph, his brothers had sold him, as a slave,
to the Ishmaelites. He was taken to Egypt, where he was sold again
to Potiphar, an officer of the king. The Lord was with Joseph, and
even though he was a slave, the Lord caused all he did to prosper.
Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph, so he put him in charge
of his whole estate and left. Even though his master was away, Joseph
continued to work hard and the Lord continued to bless the Egyptian’s
house, because of him. With his master gone, Joseph could have
relaxed and started to enjoy the wealth he helped to create, yet he
did not. Even when tempted by his master’s wife, Joseph stayed true
to what he believed to be God’s laws. He even fled from the house to
escape temptation.
It can be hard to stay true to what we know is right. Have you ever
been tempted to break a rule of your house when your parent is not
looking? Maybe you sneaked a cookie out of the cookie jar before
dinner? Or played with your siblings’ favorite toy when they were
gone? Choosing right, even when no one is looking, can be hard, but it
is an important part of developing the kind character God wants for us.
Dear God, thank You for being with us in every situation. Give us the
courage to do the right thing even when it is difficult. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
— Jennifer Hall, Director of Children’s Ministry
What helped Joseph create such a firm boundary?
• Have you ever been in a situation where it looked like you
had no agency? How did you decide what to do?
Wednesday: Genesis 39:11-18
Listen to the testimony of Potiphar’s wife change as she retells
the story.
•
How is the commitment to truth-telling a type of boundary?
• How does a boundary of honesty determine what you will
create? What you will allow?
• Joseph’s integrity didn’t keep him out of trouble; does it even
matter?
Thursday: Genesis 39:19-20
Joseph is put in prison for doing the right thing. In fact, this
seems to be a pattern in his life. It would be easy for Joseph to
lose sight of his vision.
• Recall last week when his brothers put him in the pit. How is
this the same and how is it different?
• In what ways is it healthy to put a boundary around a bad
experience?
•
A Family Affair
Where do you see examples of success for the underdog?
How is it similar to our understanding of grace? Different?
Friday: Genesis 39:21-23
We return to the theme of God’s providence enveloping Joseph’s life.
• In what ways does God’s providence strengthen Joseph’s
resolve as a leader?
•
How does Joseph’s strong leadership bring honor to God?
• Is there a lesson from the school of hard knocks that you will
carry forward?
Answer to Question 3: This early in my pastorate we needed
to make a major dent in our cash flow before it threatened our
ability to pay weekly bills and staff salaries. It needed to be
bold and fun at the same time. This strategy was not hatched
by me, but rather by our Youth Ministry and the Finance Committee. I am deeply proud of our Finance Committee for taking
this initiative. Tina and I have already turned in our gift that
doubles our regular giving for October, and invite any others
to join us. Every gift of every size will make a major difference.
Anything beyond $200,000 reverses the cash flow deficit.
Wouldn’t it be great if on October 23, two pastors kissed a pig?!
A weekly devotional and study guide for the people of First Church