1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: And it came to pass after these things that his 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,840 Speaker 1: master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: lie with me Genesis thirty nine seven. Dear Lord, as 4 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: I worked diligently in my life to accomplish my goals 5 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: and dreams, I thank you Lord that, because I place 6 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: you first, like Joseph, everything I touch you cause to prosper. 7 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: When I am thrown into the darkness of life because 8 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: of my integrity. I thank you that even in the 9 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: prison of my despair, your favor still follows me. I 10 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:40,479 Speaker 1: thank you that promotion follows me in every season of 11 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: my life. I thank you that on mountain tops and 12 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: in valley moments, your light shines through me and causes 13 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:53,160 Speaker 1: the right people to look in my direction with uncommon favor. 14 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: Thank you that no matter who tries to rise up 15 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 1: against me, your hand never departs from my life. Therefore, 16 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: I will keep my heart pure and know that even 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: in the roughest times of your plans for me, my family, 18 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:20,320 Speaker 1: and my business, they'll prevail. In Jesus's name. Amen, thank 19 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 1: you for praying with us today. Continue your time with 20 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 1: God by listening to today's Bible story brought to you 21 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,400 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot. 22 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:42,400 Speaker 2: Com from Palace to Prison. Before this story, we learned 23 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 2: about Judah and Tamar and God's faithfulness over family dysfunction. 24 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 2: Before that, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. 25 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 2: Their hatred and jealousy exiled Joseph to a life of 26 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 2: labor and toil. Israel thought Joseph was dead and grieved deeply. 27 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 2: Now we will learn about how Joseph, despite being a 28 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 2: slave in Egypt for Potiphar, was a man of integrity 29 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 2: and favored by the lord, but was accused of wrongdoing 30 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 2: by Potiphar's wife and ended up in prison. Inspired by 31 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 2: the Book of Genesis. 32 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham of today's episode of the 33 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 3: Bible of a Year podcast. Previously, we saw how Joseph's 34 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 3: brothers sold him into slavery and that he was sent 35 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 3: to Egypt. We also heard of how Judah, the brother 36 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 3: of Joseph, sought to build a kingdom apart from his 37 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 3: own family, one that crumbled before his very eyes. Today 38 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 3: you will hear a very different story. Joseph will be 39 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 3: elevated from slave to a position of great authority. More importantly, though, Joseph, 40 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 3: despite being removed from his father's home and estranged and 41 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 3: a land far away, would lean on God for his strength. 42 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 3: He will grow in maturity and integrity and determine to 43 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 3: always do what is right in the sight of God. 44 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:11,399 Speaker 3: The future will look bright for Joseph, but his integrity 45 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 3: will be tested. As you listen, pay attention to how 46 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 3: Joseph responds to temptation. It is no mistake this story 47 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 3: immediately follows that of Jacob and Tamar, because the two 48 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 3: men could not be more different in their actions. So 49 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 3: let's listen now to Joseph's story. 50 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 2: Now a slave in Egypt, Joseph worked diligently in the 51 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 2: house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of 52 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 2: the guard, even in what seemed to be the worst 53 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: of circumstances. The favor of God was with Joseph. Every 54 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 2: task Joseph put his hand to succeeded, and Joseph worked 55 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 2: with an excellence that could not be ignored. His master 56 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 2: observed Joseph's success and kept him close. Because of it, 57 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 2: Joseph found favor with Potiphar and became his closest servant. 58 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: He was charged with overseeing Potiphar's house and all Potiphar 59 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 2: owned was under his care. God blessed his work, and 60 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 2: the Egyptians thrived for Joseph's sake, from the households to 61 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 2: the fields. Potiphar rejoiced in the labor and successes of 62 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 2: his valued servant and friend. Soon all he had was 63 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: Joseph's to care for all except the food he ate 64 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 2: and the wife he loved. Joseph grew up to be 65 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 2: a handsome and well built man. His labor and the 66 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 2: sun had made him ten and muscular, and he was 67 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 2: a pleasant sight to all the women in Potiphar's household, 68 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 2: including his wife. Her eyes lingered as she watched Joseph 69 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 2: perform his tasks. Salaciously. She would lounge close to wherever 70 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 2: Joseph worked. Her eyes locked onto his, and she slowly 71 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 2: approached him. Sensual, She pressed her body against his and said, 72 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 2: lie with me, Joseph. Joseph immediately refused. Because of me, 73 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 2: My master doesn't have to worry about anything, he said fearfully. 74 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,919 Speaker 2: He has put everything under my care. No one in 75 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 2: this house has more authority than I, and he has 76 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 2: not kept anything from me, except for you. 77 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: Because you are his wife. 78 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 2: He pushed her away gently, trying to diffuse the situation. 79 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 2: How could I do that wickedness against him and God? 80 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 2: After saying this, Joseph left, but Potiphar's wife. 81 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: Would not relent. 82 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 2: Day after day she spoke sensually to him, beckoning him 83 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 2: into her bedroom. Yet Joseph remained upright, refusing every gesture politely. 84 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 2: One day, as the heart Egyptian son was setting, Joseph 85 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 2: entered into the house to finish up his work. He 86 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 2: came in to discover all the men of the house 87 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 2: were gone. Turning the corner, he bumped into Pontiffer's wife. 88 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 2: She was waiting for him. She smiled, grabbed him by 89 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 2: his garment, turned her lips close to Joseph's ear, and whispered, 90 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 2: lie with me. This time Joseph could not speak. He 91 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 2: turned his body towards the door, with her still grabbing 92 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 2: on to his garment. It slid off of him as 93 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: she pulled, but he did not turn back to get in. Instead, 94 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 2: he ran. He ran down the hall and out of 95 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: the house, knowing full well he must get far away 96 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 2: from her lest he stumbles. Embarrassed and teeming with anger, 97 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 2: she looked down to see Joseph's garment still in her hands. Immediately, 98 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 2: she screamed for the guards help. She shouted. The guards 99 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 2: came to attention. See this Hebrew mocks us. He came 100 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 2: to lie with me, and I cried out for help. 101 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 2: As soon as he heard my screams, he left his 102 00:06:55,960 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 2: garment and fled. She continued to lie and we stories 103 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 2: about Joseph until Potiphar returned home. See how your servant 104 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: has treated me, Potiphar's wife said, holding up his garment. 105 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 2: Joseph's master writhed with anger, like a wild fire fueled 106 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 2: by a warm wind, Potiphar stormed out to find Joseph. 107 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 2: Unable to explain himself, Joseph once again found himself under 108 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 2: a fury of fists. Once again Joseph found himself shackled 109 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 2: by people he cared for, And once again Joseph was 110 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 2: thrown into the darkness. He was put in the prison 111 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 2: where the king's servants were confined. There he sat in 112 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 2: the cold, wondering why this was happening to him again. 113 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 2: Yet God's steadfast love met Joseph in the worst of circumstances. 114 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: Favor followed Joseph, even in the dark depths of an 115 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 2: Egyptian prison cell. Joseph became admired by the keeper of 116 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 2: the prison, and Joseph began serving him. Soon Joseph became 117 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 2: in charge of all the prisoners who were there with him. 118 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 2: As it was before, whatever Joseph put his hand to 119 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 2: was blessed. Whatever needed to be done, he leaped at 120 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: the opportunity. The keeper of the prison paid no attention 121 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 2: to anything that was in his charge, because the Lord 122 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 2: was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord made 123 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 2: it succeed. 124 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 3: Joseph is a bright young man, an excellent man. A 125 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 3: great spirit was in him, and with hard work he 126 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 3: soon proves himself trustworthy to his master Potiphar, a man 127 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 3: in Egypt of great influence and power. When we live 128 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 3: with integrity and when God blesses the work of our hands, 129 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 3: the outside world can help, but notice that there is 130 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:50,079 Speaker 3: something different about us. That is what we see happening 131 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 3: in the life of Joseph. He was a man with 132 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:56,079 Speaker 3: an excellent spirit. But not all attention is good attention. 133 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 3: Some will see your success and either be attracted to 134 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 3: you for unrightel reasons, or they'll set their sights on 135 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:07,599 Speaker 3: you to take you down. In Joseph's case, he experiences 136 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 3: the unwelcome attention of a very lustful woman, Potiphar's wife. 137 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 3: She presents him an offer many young men would not 138 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 3: have turned down. In fact, the world would tell someone 139 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 3: to jump at the chance for a conquest. But Joseph 140 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 3: was different. He knew his master trusted him, and he 141 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 3: would not sacrifice his integrity and break that trust for 142 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 3: momentary pleasures. More importantly, much more importantly, Joseph would not 143 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 3: dishonor God in this way. The woman, however, would not relent, 144 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 3: and day after day she threw herself at Joseph, and 145 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: day after day he refused the temptation. How many times 146 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 3: are we able to resist temptation the first time, the second, 147 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 3: maybe the third, but then give in. That's why we 148 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 3: are told to flee, to run from temptation, because it 149 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 3: wears you, doubt it can beat you down and defeat you. 150 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 3: And so that's what Joseph did. He ran away. When 151 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 3: Potiphar's wife finally corners them in the palace alone, he 152 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 3: doesn't offer kind excuses or polite refusals. He runs. His 153 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 3: garment falls to the ground as he runs away, and 154 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 3: the scorned woman decides that since she can't have him, 155 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 3: she will make him pay she accuses Joseph of assault, 156 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 3: and unable to defend himself, Joseph, who did the right thing, 157 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 3: is thrown into prison. From one pit to another, Joseph 158 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 3: is once again in chains. He's in a pit, He's 159 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 3: in a prison, and he is powerless. But he is 160 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:46,319 Speaker 3: not alone. He is not abandoned. For even there in prison, 161 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 3: God shows his favor on Joseph and is with him. 162 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 3: Soon Joseph becomes leader over all the other prisoners. Even 163 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 3: in this moment, God is preparing Joseph with the skills 164 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,199 Speaker 3: that will one day help him serve well in the 165 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 3: land of Egypt. But for now, Joseph must look to God, 166 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 3: even when he cannot see the future, and lean on 167 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 3: him and trust him with all his heart. And that 168 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 3: is exactly what he does. Dear Lord, help us to 169 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 3: follow Joseph's beautiful example of integrity and run away from temptation, 170 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 3: resist the devil, and that we would honor you with 171 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 3: all of our actions. We know there might be a 172 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 3: high cost of this, but we also know that you 173 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 3: are faithful to sustain us and never leave us. Thank 174 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 3: you for your enduring love and kindness in Jesus's name, Amen, 175 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 3: thank you for listening to Today's Bible in a Year podcast. 176 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 3: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot 177 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 3: com app and make prayer a priority in your life. 178 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 3: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. 179 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 3: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 180 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 3: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how 181 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 3: to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be 182 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 3: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless 183 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Metashair, an innovative healthcare solution 184 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,720 Speaker 1: for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.