Joseph Walked With God In Integrity

Temple Baptist Church - 8-13-2017

Genesis 50:15-21

Introduction:

A.  A true love story gone wrong! 

1.  Isaac was going to bless Esau, the first born, but Jacob stole the blessing from Esau. 

2.  Esau said that when Isaac died and the days of mourning were over, that he would slay Jacob.  Rebecca overheard him, told Isaac.

3.  Isaac sent Jacob to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother to find a wife. 

4.  Jacob fell in love with Rachel, served for her, but got Leah instead.  He later married Rachel and the “baby derby” began to give Jacob sons.  Rachel could not conceive so she gave her handmaid, Bilhah to be his wife and Leah gave him her handmaid, Zilpah.

5.  Eventually, Rachel—the favorite wife—bore Jacob two sons: Joseph and Benjamin.  These two children of his old age completed the 12 tribes of Israel.  Jacob favored Joseph and Benjamin over the other 10, causing a problem. 

B.  Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brethren and, when they saw him coming, they plotted against him.  They saw Ishmaelites coming and sold him to them.  They went down to Egypt and sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard

C.  It is here that we will pick up the story of Joseph.

D.  Joseph is probably the most perfect type of Christ found in the Old Testament.  I could preach a long series on the life of Joseph but I want to include him in this series on “Walking With God.” 

1.  If a man ever had a human reason to be bitter in life, it was Joseph. 

2.  If a man ever had a human reason for “throwing in the towel” and quitting, it was Joseph. 

3.  If a man ever had a human reason for vengeance, it was Joseph.

E.  Yet, throughout his life, we find that Joseph maintained his integrity in the midst of injustice and hardwhis while maintaining a walk with God.

F.  Integrity is an important part of basis Christianity.  We live in a world that has turned its back on God and integrity has become, for the most part, a thing of the past.  Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., said to do right if the stars fall out of the sky.  That is integrity.

G.  I want to look at several times in the life of Joseph when, instead of giving up and becoming bitter, he excelled through integrity.

1.  Joseph walked with God in integrity when he was sold into bondage at age 17. 

a.  Hated by his brothers through no fault of his own.  Genesis 37:18  And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

b.  Sold into slavery by those same brothers.  Genesis 37:24, 28, 36  And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it ...  (28)  Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt ... (36)  And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.

c.  Because of his integrity, he became great in his master’s house.  Genesis 39:1-6  And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.  (2)  And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  (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.  (4)  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  (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.  (6)  And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

2.  Joseph walked with God in integrity when he was enticed by Potiphar’s wife. 

a.  Potiphar’s wife constantly tempted him.  Genesis 39:7-9  And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  (8)  But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;  (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?

b.  Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and he was cast into prison.  Genesis 39:10-20  And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  (11)  And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  (12)  And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  (13)  And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,  (14)  That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:  (15)  And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.  (16)  And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.  (17)  And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:  (18)  And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  (19)  And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.  (20)  And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

c.  Because of his integrity, he became great in prison.  Genesis 39:21-23  But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  (22)  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.  (23)  The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

3.  Joseph walked with God in integrity when he was forgotten.

a.  The butler and baker forgot him and he spent 2 more years in prison. Genesis 41:1  And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

b.  He was remembered by the butler and faithfully interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream. Genesis 41:14  Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

c.  Because of his integrity, he was elevated to second in command in all of Egypt. Genesis 41:39-41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:  (40)  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.  (41)  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

4.  Joseph walked with God in integrity when his brothers came to buy corn. 

a.  Joseph revealed himself to his brothers.  Genesis 45:1  Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

b.  Joseph forgave his brothers. Genesis 50:15-18  And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.  (16)  And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,  (17)  So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.  (18)  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

c.  Joseph glorified God in the paths in which he had walked.  Genesis 45:7; 50:19-21  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance ... (19)  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  (20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  (21)  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

d.  Joseph made commandment concerning his bones.  He wanted to be buried in the land of his people.Genesis 50:25-26  And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.  (26)  So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Conclusion:  Joseph walked with God throughout his life amid his integrity!  At the end of the day or our life, we must be willing to like the Christian life that we have lived.  Not a life of perfection but one of faithfulness and integrity!