HIDDEN IN GOD'S QUIVER. Gen.49v23,24. Is.49v1,2.

Introduction. Both Joseph and Jesus were hidden in God's quiver until God's strategic time.Gen,49v24. Is.49v1,2.
The story of Joseph warns us that we can get into serious trouble if we tell others the revelations that God has given us for our personal encouragement, information, or as a matter for prayer. Just like Joseph we too will find that if we do not hide God's personal and prayer revelation arrows in our quiver, until the right time, we can find ourselves facing a volley of arrows from Satan's quiver, through carnal believers and unbelievers.

In 2Cor.11v29., Paul said, "Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?" Paul experienced anger when people were stumbled and hurt. Jacob was heartbroken when he thought that he had lost the bright spiritual light and comfort of his home, and when with joyful tears he embraced his beloved son again, there must have also mixed with this joy, considerable anger towards the other sons for their duplicity and wickedness. On his death bed only hours, or even minutes, before he died, Jacob truly became Israel in his parting prophetic warnings, revelations and benedictions to his twelve sons. In his last hours Israel gave far-seeing words of wisdom and knowledge to his children, he gave a heavens-eye view of their character and family prospects. Gen.49v1-33. Israel, a Prince with God, gives a glorious prophetic summary of Joseph's life and character.

A. JOSEPH'S FRUITFULNESS.
We read in Gen.49v22., that Joseph was, "A fruitful bough, a fruitful bough growing by a fountain, whose branches run over the wall."

a. Joseph's roots went into the well of God and His Word.
Joseph was inspired and entranced by his fathers accounts of how God had met with him at Bethel, Peniel, and of his visions of God's angelic messengers. Joseph longed for God to speak to him and give him similar experiences, and then the visions came, and with them hatred, lies, and persecution. Joseph had dug deep in his earnest seeking of God and had found the well and fountain of a relationship with God. The vivid living vision that God had given to him, could not be denied by the evil events brought about by the wickedness of others. However, we read in Ps.105v19., "Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tried and tested him." It took great faith to hold on in faith to the word that God had given to him, when everything seemed to go in the opposite direction to his revelations. What kept Joseph going? God had given His Word and that could not be denied, in spite of all the evil circumstances and the sneers and taunts of the Devil, that his visions were worthless. Joseph was nourished by the well and fountain ("ahyin," 5869) of God's unfailing prophetic word and covenant promise, and His all-sufficient grace, which brings us to our next point.

b. Joseph's experienced sweet fellowship and friendship with God. "The Lord was with Joseph." Gen.39v2-6,21-23.
Joseph experienced God's continual strengthening friendship and presence. The words, "I am with you, all is well," were continually said to him by God. Joseph felt the glory and power of the Divine presence in all his trials, and like ourselves, it was the grace and goodness of God that brought him through. Ps.46v7,11. "The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob (and Joseph) is our refuge and fortress. Selah."

Joseph must have said to himself, "If only I had not told my brethren the visions, then they would not have sinned so greatly against God and myself, and this would not have happened." But from his later words in Gen.50v20.,"You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good, to save life," we gather that God had said to him, "You are in the centre of my will, I am going to work this out for good." When we, through our over zealousness, wrong timing, immaturity, or ignorance, blurt out a personal prophecy, or a revelation for prayer, and get into trouble for it, God can still work it out for good. Gen.50v20. You plotted and intended (2803 "chashab") evil against me, but God planned and intended (2803 "chashab") it for good, in order to bring to pass and accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

c. Joseph's fruitfulness was because of his separation from his brethren. Gen.49v26. "Separate from his brethren."
"Separate is "nazir," 5139, which means a consecrated, devoted one, it is used for a Nazarite. Joseph lived a consecrated holy life. He did not give his revelations out of pride, or in a spirit of criticism of his carnal brothers, he was a loving and caring person. Joseph was exhilarated over the fact that God had spoken to him, and he wanted to share it with the family, however, he was very unwise and naïve, to think that his jealous and carnal brothers would be sympathetic to his revelations, for even godly Jacob found them difficult to accept, and rebuked Joseph over them. Gen.37v1-11. However, Joseph knew that God had spoken to him through vivid and compelling revelations, and that was enough, God and time would prove the truth of the revelations. Worldly people did acknowledge Joseph's trustworthiness, and divinely given abilities and fruitfulness, the tragedy was that the children of God had rejected them, this still happens today.

d. Joseph's bough went over the wall. Gen.49v22.
Joseph did not have the attitude, "Me and my wife, Benjamin and his wife, us four, no more. Amen." Joseph's bough and branches went over the wall to save the lives of probably millions. What a good man Joseph was, he produced fruit that delivered his family and much of the Middle East from death by famine. Many would have become very bitter at the unjust and evil treatment that Joseph received, but he was full of forgiving love, and like our Lord, Joseph gives us a very good example to imitate. Denominational bigotry should have no place in the Church of Jesus, our branches should always go over the wall. We should share our fruit with others, and totally refuse to just build our own kingdom and power base, or our denomination's kingdom.

e. Joseph's eternal blessedness. "To the everlasting hills." Gen.49v26.
Gen.49v26. "The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers." God's blessing will be on Joseph throughout the ages of ages.

B. JOSEPH WAS SHOT AT BY THE ARCHERS. Gen.49v23.

a. Satan shot out of a dark place suddenly, through people, and how it hurt.
The arrow was the most feared and most deadly weapon of ancient times, we read in Gen.49v23., "The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him." Joseph was hit with a shower of arrows that could have destroyed him, but they did not for, "Yahweh was with Joseph," and blessed him and protected his emotions, and the trials only made him stronger, and caused him to grow in God. The word "bahal," 1167, "a master," is used to describe the archers, so we should translate Gen.49v23,24., "The master archers have sorely pierced and grieved him, they have shot at him, and bitterly hated and persecuted him. v24. But his bow remained strong and steady, and the arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, from thence ("mishaam," 8033) is the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel." Satan, the Master of arrows and accusation, was the evil instigator and power behind the people who shot these arrows. Those who manifest the gifts of God can surely expect them too, but we can put ourselves into unnecessary difficulties by telling others of revelations that are for personal information and prayer.

b. These arrows developed Joseph's character and produced a true prophetic ministry in him.
There is an inevitable cost to fruitfulness, and a genuine prophetic ministry. It is an inescapable fact that if you have a prophetic ministry, you will always be shot at, how we respond to these arrows is the critical factor. If, like Joseph and Jesus, we accept the opposition that comes our way and walk with God, Satan's arrows will only develop and deepen our prophetic ministry and gifting. Trial and tribulation produce both growth of character and more effective deeper ministry. Rom.5v1-5. God developed Joseph's ministry in secret, and used the arrows that were shot at him to put strength and godly character in him. Jesus tells us how to react to Satan's arrows in Mt.5v11,12., "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you for my sake. v12. Rejoice "chairo"), and be exceeding glad ("agallio," literally, jump for joy, and exult), for great is your reward in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way."

c. A shower of arrows was shot at Jesus.
We are exhorted in Heb.12v3., to "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (NKJ). Jesus was "tempted in all points like we are," the trials He experienced were very bitter, and were the greatest trials that anyone has ever known, and because He has been through such an all embracing searching trial of His life and character, we know, and are assured, that He is our perfect and totally sympathetic High Priest. Heb.2v10,17,18. 4v14-16. 5v1-10.

1. THE ARROWS OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY.
We read in Gen.37v1-35. " Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. v2. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. v3. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colours. v4. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

v5. Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. v6. So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: v7. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." v8. And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. v9. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." v10. So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" v11. And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind."

v12. Then his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. v13. And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." So he said to him, "Here I am." v14. Then he said to him, "Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me." So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem. v15. Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, "What are you seeking?" v16. So he said, "I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks." v17. And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan. v18. Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. v19. Then they said to one another, "Behold, this master of dreams is coming! v20. "Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!" v21. But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, "Let us not kill him." v22. And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him;" that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father. v23. So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colours that was on him. v24. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. v25. And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. v26. So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? v27. Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brothers listened. v28. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

v29. Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. v30. And he returned to his brothers and said, "The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?" v31. So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. v32. Then they sent the tunic of many colours, and they brought it to their father and said, "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?" v33. And he recognised it and said, "It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces." v34. Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. v35. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him. (NKJ)

a. Joseph was hated because he told his father Jacob of the evil deeds of four of his brothers.
Joseph reported to Jacob the evil deeds of four of his brothers, the sons of Bilhah, Dan, and Naphtali: and the sons of Zilpah, Gad, and Asher: his father's wives. Gen.35v25,26. 37v2. The brothers thought that Joseph's report of their evil deeds was a personal attack, instead of what it really was, a real concern for the family name, and their testimony for God. The children of Israel and their religious leaders, often rejected any criticism by God of their lives through prophecy, and looked upon it as a personal attack upon them by the prophets, and they persecuted and murdered them. 2Chron.36v1-23. N.B. v14-17. Jer.42 and 43. Christians too can look upon genuine prophecy as a personal attack, when it is God's concern for their spiritual welfare. Jesus said, "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches;" sadly, trembling at, and obedience to the prophetic word of God is all too rare, carnal men often rule God's Church. Is.66v2.

b. Joseph was hated by his brethren because Jacob loved him for his godly character, integrity, and youthful beauty.
Gen.37v3. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. v4. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him." Benjamin was younger than Joseph and so was more the son of his old age than Joseph, so on these grounds might have been expected to be the favourite. Some have suggested that, "the son of his old age," should be literally translated as, "son of old age to him'," a Hebrew phrase meaning, "a wise son," who had an old head on young shoulders, and who possessed observation and wisdom above his years. Joseph was the bright spiritual light of Jacob's home, but Jacob was grieved by the worldly unspiritual outlook, and carnality of his other sons.

c. Jacob saw Joseph's longing after God and spirituality, and appointed him as the spiritual leader of the family.
Jacob saw Joseph's desires for God and gave him "a coat of pieces of various colours," Gesenius states that it was "a tunic, reaching to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet,'-which was worn by young men and women of the better class. The Septuagint Greek reads, "chitoon," 5509, and "poikilos," 4164, which some say describes a multicoloured striped or variegated tunic, which was made by sewing together pieces of coloured cloth, and was considered a dress of distinction. Others have stated that it was the coat that was worn by the person who was the appointed spiritual leader and priest of the family, the one who made intercession to God on behalf of the family. This was the prerogative of the head of the family in patriarchal times. It could have been that Jacob was stating that Joseph was his appointed spiritual leader of the family when he died., which certainly became a reality when Jacob did die. Joseph's brothers certainly hated such a thought and ordination, they looked upon it as unjust and biased favouritism.

d. Joseph was blessed by God for his strong desire and longing for an experience of God.
Joseph longed for the same experiences of God that his father had known, and he prayed earnestly for a similar experience. Then God gave him a vivid revelation of His plans and purposes and of future events, but with fatherly kindness, did not reveal the emotional pain and abuse that would occur, and was necessary to bring those purposes and events to fulfilment.

e. Joseph was hated by his brethren because of the revelations that God gave to him.
Joseph's brethren reacted very badly to Joseph's dreams, it states twice in Gen.37v5,8., that their hatred for Joseph, which was already there, intensified after he told his brothers of his first dream of his brother's sheaves bowing down to his sheaf. We read in Gen.37v5-8., "Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. v6. So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: v7. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." v8. And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words."

The Hebrew word "saw-nay," 8130, means to personally hate, and is used to describe the hatred for a foe or enemy, and of God's hatred of evil, as well as the hatred of people for God and man, and of ethnic hatreds. Like Jesus, Joseph was hated because of jealousy and envy. Pilate "knew that through envy ("phthonos") they had delivered him up." Mt.27v18.

When Joseph told his brothers of his second dream vision, of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him turned their hatred into murderous envy. We read in Gen.37v9-11. "Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." v10. So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" v11. And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind."

"Behold, the dreamer cometh," is literally, "Behold, this master of dreams is coming!" Gen.37v19.
Joseph's brothers treated the revelations that God had given to Joseph with unbelief, derision, bitter resentment, and antagonism. With bitter sarcasm they said, "Behold, this master of dreams is coming!" In Gen.37v19., we have "bah' al," 1167, from 1166; a master, ruler, lord. "Dream," is "chalom," 2472. They treated God's providential revelations through Joseph with contempt, when their fulfilment through Joseph was going to be the means of saving them and their families from death by starvation in a severe and lethal famine.

In Gen.37v11., "envied" is, "kaw-naw," it means, to be jealous and envious of, and carries the thought of jealous anger. This was displayed in a desire in nine of the brothers (Benjamin was at home) to murder Joseph, only Reuben's intervention frustrated this desire, however while he was away the other nine brothers sold Joseph into slavery for twenty pieces of silver. This greatly distressed Reuben and Jacob. We read in Gen.37v29-35. "Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. v30. And he returned to his brothers and said, "The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?" v31. So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. v32. Then they sent the tunic of many colours, and they brought it to their father and said, "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?" v33. And he recognised it and said, "It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces." v34. Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. v35. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him." (NKJ)

f. The hatred and persecution of his brothers sorely wounded and grieved Joseph.
Joseph's walk with God and fruitfulness cost him a great deal. We read in Gen.49v23., "The master archers have sorely pierced and grieved him, they have shot at him, and bitterly hated and persecuted him." The arrows really hurt Joseph; the implacable hatred and injustice of his brothers hit him very hard and caused him great agony of soul. We read in Gen.42v21,22. "And they said one to another, We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul, when he pleaded with us, yet we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us." v22. And Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us."

Paul tells us of the suffering he endured for God.
We read in 2Tim.3v10-12., "But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance, v11. Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. v12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

The warning is clear, be careful over your revelations and hide away most of them in your quiver; you certainly must not tell them to critical and envious brethren, God may allow you tell some revelations to friends who are sympathetic, spiritual and understanding, and who will diligently pray for you.

2. THE ARROWS OF SEDUCTIVE TEMPTATION.
We read in Gen.39v1-23. " And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. v2. But Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a good, hardworking and profitable ("tsalach," 6743, literally means to push forward, and from this, to be good, be meet, be profitable, to advance, to prosper) man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. v3. And his master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did to prosper ("tsalach") in his hand. v4. 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. v5. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahweh was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. v6. So he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. And Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

v7. And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." v8. But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. v9. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" v10. So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. v11. But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, v12. that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. v13. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, v14. that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. v15. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside." v16. So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. v17. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; v18. so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside." v19. So it was, when his master heard the words, which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused.

v20. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. v21. But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. v22. 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. v23. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because Yahweh was with him, and that which he did, Yahweh made it to prosper.

a. Joseph was sold as a slave into Potiphar's house.
We read in Gen.39v2. that Joseph was a good, hardworking and profitable man, the Hebrew "tsalach," 6743, literally means to push forward, and from this, to be good, be meet, be profitable, to advance, to prosper. Joseph was a hardworking person who possessed energy and initiative, and everything that he did was profitable for Potiphar, and caused him to prosper. Potiphar saw that God was with Joseph, and made him the overseer of his house.

God's almighty presence and providential comforting love preserved Joseph from Satan's taunts and attacks.
Satan tried to destroy Joseph's faith in the revelations that God had given to him, and derided and taunted Joseph. Satan scornfully said, "Where are your visions now? They will never come to pass. You are a slave, not a ruler." However, "Yahweh was with Joseph," and His comforting almighty presence declared that this was not true. God would fulfil His Word. In Gen.39v2,21., the identical Hebrew words state, "But Yahweh was with Joseph," God was emphatically with Joseph in a special providential way. "Was," is "hayah," 1961, which means to be, to become, to exist, to abide, to come to pass; Strong says that it is "always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary." "With," is "eth," 854, which literally speaks of nearness, so it is used to describe being near, with, by, or among, etc. From these two words we see that God took up His abode with Joseph, and Joseph was under the shadow of the Almighty. Ps.91. This was the experience of Jesus at Nazareth, which was, like Egypt, a spiritual black spot, but the Father was with Jesus and overshadowed Him. Is.50v6-9. Lk.1v35. Jn.8v16,19. 10v38. 14v10,11. 16v 32. We speak of relations who are "near and dear," Joseph experienced and proved that he was dear to God, and that God was always near, and whatever our circumstances may be, all of God's dear children can daily prove this living reality.

c. Potiphar's wife lusts after Joseph.
Potiphar's wife was strongly attracted to Joseph, the Scripture states that he was a beautiful and attractive person, and handsome in form and appearance. We read in Gen.39v6., "Joseph was goodly("yapheh") looking ("toar") and well ("yapheh") favoured ("mareh")." We see that the Hebrew word "yapheh," 3303, is used twice in this verse, it is derived from "yaphah," 3302, which means to be bright, to be beautiful, to be handsome. "Yapheh," means, beautiful, comely, fair, handsome. "Looking," is "toar," 8389, from 8388; outline, that is, figure, appearance, form, countenance, visage. "Favoured," is "mareh,"4758, sight, appearance, visage, vision. The NKJ reads, "And Joseph was handsome in form and appearance." With considerable double emphasis God states that Joseph had an attractive beautiful personality, and was extremely good looking. Potiphar's wife lusted after this beautiful godly person, and desired to make a conquest, she was undoubtedly energised by the Devil as well as by her own fleshly lusts. Eph.2v1-3.

Outstanding personality and remarkable beauty has often proved to be a dangerous snare to men and women, both to those who possess these attributes, or those who behold them, and both possessors and beholders need to keep a watchful eye on their attitudes and emotions. We can admire beauty and be pure in heart, it is the lustful and unlawful desire to possess beauty that becomes a snare and sin. Those who are handsome or beautiful should remember Paul's words in 1Cor.4v7., " For who makes you to differ? and what have you that you did not receive? but if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you did not receive it?"

d. Joseph fled from the seducer's presence.
We read in Gen.39v12., " She caught him by his garment and said, "Lie with me!" But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. Joseph fulfilled Paul's injunction in 1Cor.6v18., " Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." The options for Joseph were sin and safety, or purity and prison.

Paul states in 1Cor.9v24-27., that he had to beat under and discipline his body. "v24. " Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. v25. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then {do it} to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. v26. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; v27. but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (NAS)

We read in Ps.69v8-11., that Jesus kept His body under control by fasting and prayer. "v8. I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother's children; v9. Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. v10. When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach. v11. I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them." (NKJ)

3. THE ARROWS OF LIES AND SLANDER.

1. Joseph's brother's lies and slander.
Joseph knew that his brothers had told many lies about him and slandered him behind his back, as well as accusations to his face. They scoffed at his divine revelations and said they were hallucinations, "Behold, the dreamer cometh."

2. Potiphar's wife lied about the whole incident
She completely twisted the facts and accused Joseph of being guilty of her own sin of lust and attempted immorality, and her husband believed her blatant lies, and cast Joseph into prison. Satan again mocked Joseph and told him that his visions would never come to pass. The blot was put on Joseph's reputation with satanically inspired lies, it was broadcast abroad that he was immoral and fond of the ladies. But Yahweh was with Joseph, and comforted him with his protective presence and love, and guiding mercy. The chief warder of the prison recognised Joseph's exceptional divinely enhanced abilities, and put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners, and all the activities of the prison. Gen.39v20-23.

3. Jesus was a sign who was spoken against, He was viciously slandered and maligned. Heb.12v1-3.
Jesus was called a drunkard, a wine bibber, a Samaritan, a politically motivated schemer, a demon possessed person who did his miracles by the power of the Devil. The words of Simeon certainly came to pass, Jesus was, "a sign which shall be spoken against." Lk.2v29. The Church of Jesus suffered the same kind of slanderous attack as their Lord, in Acts.28v22., the Jews said to Paul, " But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." See Acts.13v45. 24v5. 1Pet.4v14.

4. THE ARROWS OF FRUSTRATED HOPE AND DELAYED PROMISE.
Gen.40v1-23. " It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. v2. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. v3. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. v4. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while. v5. Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. v6. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. v7. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?" v8. And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please." v9. Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, v10. and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. v11. Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand." v12. And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. v13. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. v14. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. v15. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon." v16. When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. v17. In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head." v18. So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. v19. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you." v20. Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. v21. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. v22. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. v23. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

a. Joseph was forgotten by Pharaoh's cup bearer for a full two years. "Remember me."
We read in Gen.40v14,15., that Joseph asked the butler, "But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. v15. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon." v23. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." For many years Joseph had waited for something to happen, when he had the interpretation to the butler's vision, he expected something to happen immediately, he thought that this was surely the time when the word of the Lord would come to pass. But it did not, it seems God did not remind the butler of his obligation to Joseph, the time was not yet right, God said, "Not yet.." We read in Gen.41v1., "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river."

b. We read in Ps.105v19., " Until the time that His word came to pass, the word of Yahweh tried and tested him."
Joseph gritted his teeth, trusted in God's word to him and went on believing, "Yahweh was with him," and he knew and felt His almighty presence and love. However, it was severe fight and trial of faith, Satan and his evil angels and worldly friends did not make it easy for Joseph. We read in Ps.105v18., " They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons." Some translate the second part of this verse, "iron entered into his soul." From this we gather that it was both a very difficult time, and that this difficult time brought great strength of character into Joseph.

God was not unaware of Joseph's trials and disappointments, He gave the dream vision to Pharaoh at the divinely ordained epochal propitious time, this opened the door for Joseph's God-given ministry. When God keeps your ministry hidden, realise that it is for good.

c. Joseph proved the truth of Prov.13v12.
" Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the thing desired ("tah-av-ah") comes to pass "bow`"), it is a tree of life. About fifteen years of frustrated hopes, desires and ambitions, had passed since the vision, fifteen years of severe trial but fifteen years that had thrown him on God, and had developed his prayer and prophetic ministry. His trials had made him grow in God and in character, through these trials God had prepared him for the work that He had called him to fulfil. And thus it always is, our trials become our qualifications for ministry, and give us the ability to sympathise and minister to the needs that come before us.

d. This is how it was with the most tried and tested of all mankind, our dear Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the perfect Saviour and High priest because He was made in all points like unto us, and tempted in all points like unto us. Heb.4v15. " For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Heb.2v17,18. " Therefore, in all things He was obligated ("opheilen," the imperfect active indicative of "opheilo," to owe, to be obligated, it often implies a moral necessity) had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. v18. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." The glory of our Lord's victory over temptation while clothed with our humanity cannot be overstated, it is quite beyond praise. See the Appendix, which declares the glory and victory of Christ's humanity.

C. JOSEPH'S SECURITY UNDER ATTACK.
Our trials of faith are carefully planned by God, and more thought and love is given to them than our instant victories of faith. They are God's "chairos" events in our lives, that are designed to conform us to the image of Christ. Rom.8 God gives us His presence and power in a special way during these trials. It is important to realise that those who like our Lord endured great trials of faith at the hands of wicked men, receive a good report for their faith, as well as those who wrought great things for God. Heb.11v

a. "His bow abode in strength." Gen.49v24.
The person who is godly and right, does not have to shoot arrows, they wait for God to vindicate them, and shoot their arrows at the targets that God directs them to shoot at.. Joseph shot his arrows at famine and need, he did not fight his carnal and evil brothers, he ministered to their needs, and obviously prayed for them.

b. "His arms were made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. Gen.49v24.
Joseph appropriated divine strength, and God's "charismata. These spiritual gifts had been developed in his trials, he had been forced to lean hard on God by the great trials he had encountered, they had made him strong and developed his spiritual gifting. As in Deut.8v1-18., Joseph had been led, fed, humbled, educated, proved and tested, and made to realise and depend on every word that had come from the mouth of God. God had used the Joseph's wilderness trial experiences to develop his Joseph's prophetic vision ministry. It had become second nature for Joseph to walk and commune with God, and receive His guidance and revelations.

God's hands were working with Joseph's hands, God wisdom and strength worked with Joseph to aim and shoot the arrows. The whole of the Middle East was saved from death by famine through Joseph. Joseph shot arrows of mercy and grace, not bitter vengeful arrows.

c. Gen.49v24., "From thence ("mishaam") is the Shepherd, the stone of Israel."
God is often represented in Scripture as a shepherd, and in Is.32v2., "like the shade of a huge rock in a parched and weary land," it speaks well of the strength and durability of God's comforting and protecting grace and power. Jesus was Joseph's Shepherd, Rock, and friend.
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