Spring 2005 - FEB 8th & 10th

‘LIVING THE GOOD LIFE’ – the life of Joseph  GENESIS 37- 50

(2) GOODNESS TESTED  39.1-21:  ‘It’s hard to be good!’

This week we see Joseph facing the severest tests. There are 2 things life is sure to bring everyone at some time: trial and temptation.  For the person, like Joseph, seeking to lead a God-believing, God-honouring life, these tests may be severest of all.

1. 39.1-6:   FAITH SORELY TRIED

Joseph’s period as a slave probably extended for 8-10 years. They were hard, trying years.

• “Life is a revelation of what we really are and a preparation for what we will become.” In what ways does this section (1-6) reveal what Joseph was really like?
• What could he have been like, having undergone what he did?  What was he like?
• Why did Joseph prosper in Potiphar’s service?  In what way does Joseph’s attitude in these testing circumstances help determine his lot?  What does this say to us?
• What part did God play in Joseph’s advancement?  What do you make of this?  (See Proverbs 3.5-8)

2. 39.7-12: GOODNESS SEVERELY TESTED

“Plus ça change plus la même chose”! A 3500 year old tale; a very ‘modern’ story!

• The reality of temptation What do we learn here about sexual temptation?
• What are its ‘seeds’ (6-7)?  Is great physical attractiveness attended by special perils?
• How severe was the temptation for Joseph?  Was it ‘one off’ temptation? What was to be gained by yielding and lost by refusing?
• The resisting of temptation: Just how did Joseph manage to resist the sort of temptation before which so many fall?
• What is Joseph’s attitude and outlook?  What considerations weighed with him?
• What values do his words reveal as most important to him?
• What action did Joseph take when the temptation became severe?

3. 39.13-23 GOODNESS SHAMEFULLY TREATED

• Joseph, the subject of slander (13-20) Talk about how Joseph was treated?
• Why did the wife do such an awful thing? Does the husband bear any responsibility?
• How hard was it for Joseph?  How bitter is the experience of being falsely accused and condemned?
• Joseph, the object of favour (20-23) Again, this is an unpleasant revelation of human weakness and wickedness.  But what redeeming factors are contained in these verses?
• What is there to admire and emulate in Joseph? How hard do you think it was for Joseph to stay conscientious? What was there in him that enabled him to do so?
• What is there to encourage us about God’s attitude and action?

CONCLUSION:

Today’s study reveals again that it is sometimes hard being good.  It also raises the question:  “Does it pay to be good?” What light does today’s passage shed on that question?