INTRODUCTION:  So often in the Bible and in daily life, we see the results of those who do not endure the temptation to sin.  Over and over again, we are warned of the dangers of temptation.  However, this story shows us one who was tempted and yet did not sin (1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
See All...).  Joseph is an example to us all in his resistance to temptation.

1. BLESSINGS IN BONDAGE (Genesis 39:1-6 [1] 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.
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1. Sold to an Officer of Pharaoh (Genesis 39:1And 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.
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1. Joseph
1. Brought down to Egypt
1. Egypt is a type of the world.
2. In the world we will have to deal with temptation.
2. Sold as a slave
1. Joseph had every excuse to give in to temptation.
2. He was a slave and had no power of his own.
3. No one would listen to him and no one would come to his aid.
4. This makes his resistance to temptation an even greater example for us.
2. Potiphar
1. An officer of Pharaoh
2. A captain of the guard
3. An Egyptian
4. Purchased Joseph at the hands of the Ishmeelites
2. Prospered in His Master’s House (Genesis 39:2-3 [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.
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1. The Lord prospered Joseph (Genesis 39:2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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2. The master saw the Lord’s hand on Joseph (Genesis 39:3And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
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3. Made Overseer over the House (Genesis 39:4-6 [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.
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1. Joseph gets a promotion (Genesis 39:4And 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.
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1. Joseph found grace in the sight of Potiphar.
2. Potiphar made Joseph overseer over his house.
2. Potiphar is blessed for Joseph’s sake (Genesis 39:5And 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.
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1. The Lord blessed Potiphar’s house.
2. The Lord blessed Potiphar’s field.
3. Potiphar trusts Joseph with everything he owns (Genesis 39:6And 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.
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1. Potiphar placed everything he owned into Joseph’s care.
2. The only possession that Potiphar knew he had was the bread he would sit down to eat at a meal.
2. TEMPTATION IN EGYPT (Genesis 39:7-12 [7] 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? [10] 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.
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1. Presentation (Genesis 39:7-9 [7] 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?
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1. The call to sin (Genesis 39:7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
   See All...; Proverbs 7:13So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
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1. The eyes
1. We are often tempted by what we see.
2. We should, as much as possible, guard what we see (Psalm 101:3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
   See All...; Isaiah 33:15He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
   See All...; Job 31:1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
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2. The ears – Temptation also comes through what we hear and that also should be guarded.
2. His refusal to sin (Genesis 39:8-9 [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?
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1. His debt to his master (Genesis 39:8-9 [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?
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2. His debt to his God (Genesis 39:9There 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?
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 [14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
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2. Continuation (Genesis 39:10And 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.
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1. The frequency of the temptation - “day by day”
2. The details of the temptation
1. To lie by her
2. To be with her
3. Joseph refused both of these temptations on a daily basis.
3. Situation (Genesis 39:11-12 [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.
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1. His guard was down (Genesis 39:11And 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.
   See All...).
1. Joseph did not sin in this situation but he did not show the greatest of wisdom in allowing himself to be in the house alone with Potiphar’s wife.
2. Not only do we need to do right, but we need to keep ourselves from situations where we can be trapped or tempted when we are weak.
2. She trapped him (Genesis 39:12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
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3. He fled from temptation (Genesis 39:12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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1. As much as possible, we need to avoid the occasions of temptation.
2. However, there are times when this is not possible or when we are caught in a bad situation unawares.
3. In these cases, we need to flee as the scripture says.
3. PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Genesis 39:13-20 [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.
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1. Accusation (Genesis 39:13-18 [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.
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1. Falsified evidence (Genesis 39:13And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
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1. Joseph fled from the face of temptation and she caught his coat.
2. Now she sees his garment in her hand and plans to use it as evidence to present her case.
2. Falsified information (Genesis 39:14-18 [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.
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1. Given to the men of the house (Genesis 39:14-15 [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.
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1. Potiphar ultimately responsible for bringing Joseph into his house (Genesis 39:14That 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:
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2. Joseph, the Hebrew, came in unto her to lie with her (Genesis 39:14That 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:
   See All...).
3. She cried with a loud voice for help (Genesis 39:14That 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:
   See All...).
4. When Joseph heard her cry out for help, he ran and accidently left his garment with her (Genesis 39:15And 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.
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2. Given to Potiphar when he returned home (Genesis 39:16-18 [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.
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2. Incarceration (Genesis 39:19-20 [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.
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1. Potiphar accepts the witness of his wife against Joseph (Genesis 39:19And 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.
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1. Note:  Potiphar heard only the testimony of his wife and reacted against Joseph.  This shows the wisdom of God when He commanded, “at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
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2. Potiphar apprehends Joseph and places him in prison (Genesis 39:20And 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.
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1. It is quite possible that this prison holds prisoners who have directly committed a crime against the king.  It appears to be so later when Joseph meets the butler and the baker who had been placed in prison by the king.
4. BLESSINGS IN BONDS (Genesis 39:21-23 [21] 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.
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1. Given Favor Even in Prison (Genesis 39:21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
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2. Made Overseer of the Prison (Genesis 39:22-23 [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.
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1. The keeper of the prison committed everything into Joseph’s hands (Genesis 39:22And 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.
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2. The Lord made Joseph to prosper in all that he did (Genesis 39:23The 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.
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CONCLUSION:  Though Joseph was righteous in the matters wherein he was accused, it would appear that he did not act in complete wisdom.  Wisdom could have kept him out of the prison cell, but then again what problems could we avoid by using wisdom?  Are you keeping a hedge about yourself?  Do you flee temptation when it comes?