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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 11: March 9 - 15: "The Lord Was with Joseph"

Genesis 34-41

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

Even in hardship, Joseph prospered because of his integrity and trust in God. His example shows that the Lord never abandons the righteous, even when circumstances appear bleak. (Genesis 39:2–3, 21–23)

Joseph’s refusal of temptation demonstrated his loyalty to God despite pressure and personal risk. This illustrates how faith invites divine companionship, helping us resist sin and endure adversity. (Genesis 39:9)

His choice to flee temptation exemplifies the principle of choosing God’s standards over momentary pleasure. God refines His people by proving them in temptation and rewarding faithfulness. (Genesis 39:7–12)

Joseph’s years of hardship prepared him to lead Egypt and save nations during famine. Likewise, our trials can position us for future opportunities to serve and bless others. (Genesis 40:14–15; 41:39–41)

  • Joseph recognized God’s hand in transforming pain into purpose, naming his sons to reflect gratitude and hope. God’s power can make adversity a channel of growth and deliverance. (Genesis 41:51–52)
  • Joseph’s leadership provided sustenance to Egypt and beyond, foreshadowing Christ’s role as the Bread of Life. God magnifies His servants to bless the world in times of need. (Genesis 41:56–57)

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • Joseph’s story unfolds in the land of Canaan and later in Egypt during the Middle Bronze Age (around 1800–1600 B.C.). At this time, Egypt was a powerful civilization with centralized authority, advanced agriculture, and widespread famine vulnerabilities.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, a common practice in the ancient Near East. In Egypt, enslaved people could sometimes rise to positions of responsibility, as Joseph did in Potiphar’s house and later in Pharaoh’s court. Dreams were highly valued in Egyptian culture, and skilled interpreters often served in royal courts. Joseph’s God-given gift placed him in a unique position to influence history.

  • The narrative highlights how God’s purposes transcend betrayal, injustice, and hardship. What seemed like tragedy—Joseph’s enslavement—became the means of preserving nations.
  • God can use even our trials and injustices as stepping stones to fulfill His greater plan. Trusting Him allows us to see adversity as preparation for future blessings.
  • In Genesis 39, Joseph resisted repeated advances from Potiphar’s wife, declaring, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” His example illustrates integrity and devotion to God, even in private moments.
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  • Joseph’s refusal shows that sin is ultimately against God, not just other people. This elevates moral choices to a spiritual level, emphasizing accountability before God.
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  • His decision to flee temptation, even at personal cost, reinforces the principle that disciples must sometimes sacrifice comfort, reputation, or safety to remain faithful.
  • Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, intending harm. Yet God used their actions to position Joseph in Egypt, where he would save both his family and surrounding nations from famine. This theme recurs throughout scripture, showing that God brings good from evil.
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  • Joseph later testified, “God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). His perspective helps us see God’s hand in turning setbacks into opportunities for deliverance.
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  • This principle foreshadows Christ, who was also betrayed yet became the source of salvation. Like Joseph, our hardships can become part of God’s greater plan when we trust Him.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “The story exaggerates to make Joseph a hero.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Ancient Egyptian records confirm that foreigners could rise to high positions of trust, particularly when they had unique skills, like interpreting dreams or managing resources.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: The account preserves details consistent with Egyptian customs (dream interpretation, grain storage during famine), which strengthens its authenticity.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit testifies that God raises the humble and uses them to accomplish His will, regardless of their starting point.
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  10. Logical Analysis: Joseph’s rise is remarkable but not implausible—his administrative success flowed from divine preparation through trials, illustrating God’s providence.
  • Claim: “This episode was invented to promote sexual morality.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Records from Egypt confirm that powerful households included enslaved foreigners, and accusations of immorality were common. Joseph’s situation fits cultural context.
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  • Eyewitness Support: The story’s vivid detail—like Joseph leaving his garment—suggests memory of an actual event preserved by his descendants.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit witnesses of the eternal principle in the story: fleeing temptation and choosing God over sin.
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  • Logical Analysis: Even if skeptics call it “fable-like,” its consistent cultural details, moral depth, and connection to later blessings point to its truthfulness.
  • Claim: “Dreams cannot predict the future.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Ancient texts from Egypt show high regard for dreams as divine messages. Joseph’s accurate interpretations fit this worldview while pointing to the true God as the source.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Pharaoh and his court witnessed Joseph’s correct interpretation of the seven years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41:25–32). The results validated Joseph’s prophetic gift.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Believers feel the Spirit testifying that God does reveal His will through dreams, just as He did to Joseph, Daniel, and others.
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  • Logical Analysis: Joseph credited God, not himself, with the interpretations. This humility shows consistency with true prophetic patterns, not human invention.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Keep a “God-was-with-me” journal this week: each night write one way you saw God’s help, comfort, or guidance that day.

Joseph’s life shows that divine companionship can exist even in slavery and prison (Genesis 39). Actively noticing God’s hand builds resilience, faith, and an enduring sense of hope in the middle of difficulty.

  1. – Put a small notebook or a phone note titled “God was with me” where you will see it daily.
  2. – Each evening, pause for 2–5 minutes and write one concrete example of help, promptings, or small blessings from the day.
  3. – When discouraged, reread past entries to remember patterns of God’s care.
  4. – Share one example with a trusted friend or family member once a week to reinforce perspective.

Encouraging Thought:

“The Lord was with Joseph.” (Genesis 39:2) — faith grows when we remember God’s faithful presence.

Action Step: Identify one recurring temptation (online, relationship, financial, etc.), then design and commit to a specific avoidance plan for the next 7 days.

Joseph’s refusal to remain where he would repeatedly face seduction (Genesis 39:9–12) protected his soul and prepared him for greater service. Preventing repeated exposure to temptation preserves character and opens the door for spiritual growth.

  1. – Name the temptation clearly (e.g., certain websites, conversations, impulsive spending).
  2. – Remove or restrict access to immediate triggers (use app blockers, change routines, avoid certain places).
  3. – Create an accountability step (text a friend before/after risky moments or check in nightly).
  4. – Replace the habit with a positive action (scripture reading, short prayer, a walk).
  5. – After 7 days, evaluate progress and adjust the plan.

Encouraging Thought:

Joseph’s resolve: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Choosing to flee now preserves future blessings.

  • Action Step: Pick one skill or spiritual gift (organization, teaching, compassionate listening, budgeting) and serve in one concrete way this month (lead a short lesson, organize a food drive, mentor someone).

Joseph’s talents (administration, interpretation) eventually positioned him to save many lives (Genesis 41). Investing your gifts prepares you to be an instrument in God’s hands when opportunities or crises arise.

  1. – List 2–3 talents you have or would like to develop.
  2. – Choose one to focus on for 30 days.
  3. – Find a small service opportunity to practice it (ward need, neighborhood help, family task).
  4. – After serving, jot down what you learned and how others were blessed.
  5. – Prayerfully refine the skill and repeat with a slightly bigger opportunity.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “God did send me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5) — when we steward gifts, God can multiply them to bless many.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners see God’s presence in Joseph’s trials and recognize His presence in their own lives.

Small slips of paper, pens, a jar or basket labeled “God Was With Me.”

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask: “When has life felt unfair?” Give learners slips of paper to write one trial or challenge (real or hypothetical). Place them in the jar.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Genesis 39:2–3, 21–23. Discuss how the phrase “the Lord was with Joseph” appears multiple times, even in prison.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to write on a second slip of paper one way they’ve seen God help them in the past week. Collect them in the jar and read a few aloud.

Follow-Up Question: How can remembering God’s presence change the way we handle unfair or painful trials?

Objective: Teach the principle of resisting temptation with moral courage, as Joseph did with Potiphar’s wife.

Two magnets (to symbolize attraction), a lightweight object (to symbolize Joseph’s garment).

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Demonstrate how magnets attract. Then place the object between them to show resistance. Ask: “What are we attracted to that could pull us away from God?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Genesis 39:7–12. Discuss Joseph’s choice to run rather than negotiate with temptation.

Application (5 min): Brainstorm specific modern “flight plans” (blocking websites, changing routines, seeking accountability). Invite learners to choose one to apply this week.

Follow-Up Question: What practical steps can help you “flee” rather than flirt with temptation?

Objective: Show how God turns adversity into preparation for greater service.

Ladder or staircase image, paper strips labeled with Joseph’s trials (pit, slavery, false accusation, prison, forgotten, exalted).

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Place the strips on the floor leading up to the ladder image. Ask: “Do trials usually feel like steps upward or downward?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Genesis 41:39–41. Discuss how Joseph’s hardships prepared him for leadership.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to place their own “trials” (written on blank strips) onto the path and discuss how God might use them for future blessings.

Follow-Up Question: How can seeing your trials as “steps upward” change your perspective on challenges right now?

QUICK REFERENCE

Even in prison, “the Lord was with Joseph,” showing that God’s presence does not depend on our circumstances. – Genesis 39:21

Joseph refused temptation because he would not sin against God, showing that loyalty to the Lord guides righteous choices. – Genesis 39:9

After years of hardship, Joseph’s trials prepared him to lead and bless others when God raised him to power. – Genesis 41:39–40

Joseph waited “two full years,” reminding us that patience allows God’s timing to work in our lives. – Genesis 41:1

When the time was right, Pharaoh called for Joseph, showing that God does not forget His servants. – Genesis 41:14

  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • God’s pattern has always been to speak through chosen servants (Amos 3:7). Just as Joseph guided Egypt, modern prophets guide us through spiritual famine. Their counsel protects us from deception, and history shows blessings come when people follow prophets despite cultural or political pressures.
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • God honors agency, even when it leads to suffering (like Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers). Yet He can transform mistakes into stepping stones for His purposes. Just as Joseph’s wrongful imprisonment led to saving nations, God can work through human weakness to bring about His greater plan.

True to the Faith (section “Prophets”) — On the necessity of following living prophets.