Joseph – Character Lessons From Prison Genesis 39:20 - 40:23

1. Joseph – Character Lessons From PrisonGenesis 39:20 - 40:23 • Life is not always fair. • We live in a broken world where injustice often does happen. • Joseph was a victim of a cruel world and he had every right to be bitter. • Joseph teaches us how to demonstrate godly character in spite of the difficulties.

2. Joseph is in prison due to false accusations against him. • He is punished for doing the right thing. • We have our own ‘prison’ experiences: • financial prison • imprisoned by the expectations of others • imprisoned by guilt • imprisoned by loneliness or feeling abandoned. • Joseph’s real prison experience gives us hope and encouragement how to deal with these experiences.

3. Lesson 1: Don’t Turn Away from God – Turn To Him • Many people blame God for allowing pain in their lives • Joseph’s situation: he was put in prison for doing what was right. • Would you be tempted to blame God? • Psalm 42:3 [NIV] - My tears have been my food day and night. While they continually say to me, “Where is your God!?” • Joseph’s troubles drew him closer to God.

4. 1 Peter 2:18–21 (NIV) Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

5. Joseph demonstrated what it means to persevere under hardship. • Romans 5:3–4 (NIV) …we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope. • Hardships build character in us that deepens our trust in God and gives us greater confidence for the future.

6. Genesis 40:23 (NIV) The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. • Victimized again and again Joseph continued to trust – to hope – to lean on God. • When we focus on God in our ‘prison experiences’ • we experience his power, strengthening us to keep moving forward • we will experience his peace to sustain us through the difficulty • we will experience his love to comfort us when we feel like giving up.

7. Joseph held onto the promise of God “I will never leave you or forsake you” • Romans 8:28 (NIV) …in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. • If you want to experience God’s power and presence to help you through trials you first need to accept his gift of salvation. • It begins by putting your faith and trust in him. • He will give you his Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, & direct your life.

8. Lesson 2: Seek Opportunities to Serve Others • We see Joseph transform his situation of despair into avenues for service. • Genesis 39:21–23 (NIV) The Lord was with [Joseph]; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

9. We see Joseph attending to the needs of the other prisoners. • Because Joseph was free from bitterness he could be used by God to minister to others. • Even in the middle of all his own problems Joseph reaches out to help others. • 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV) - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

10. Lesson 3: Maintain Godly Character • At times, Joseph was probably angry at the injustice of the situation he found himself in • He never let anger control him. • Ephesians 4:26–27 (NIV) In your anger do not sin”… and do not give the devil a foothold. • There is a difference between getting angry at injustice and letting anger control us.

11. Romans 12:19–21 (NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. • Joseph demonstrated patience trusting God to take care of the vindication against those who had wronged him.

12. Both of Joseph’s masters saw a definite correlation between Joseph’s behaviourand the relationship he had with his God. • “Both were impressed, not necessarily because of Joseph’s faith, prayers and other religious exercises, but because of the results of his relationship with God. This is what impresses the non-Christian who knows nothing of what it really means to live for God and to trust Him in difficult circumstances.” (Gene Getz, Joseph From Prison to Palace)

13. 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV) Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. • How do we respond to our ‘prison’ experiences? • Learn the lessons from Joseph’s life in prison: • 1. Don’t turn away from God  turn to him. • 2. Seek opportunities to serve others. • 3. Maintain Godly character