Genesis 39 isn't just a story about temptation. What the Hebrew words chesed, chata, and ra'ah reveal about Joseph's faithfulness and God's presence in suffering.
Diane, as a gentile I’ve studied Joseph, heard many sermons and teachings on his life. I kept reading this to see what you might teach me. I wasn’t disappointed. The relationship of the coat and garment had me going Aha! I hadn’t put those two together in such a way. Thank you for seeing it. Though I’d read God was with Joseph repeatedly and I knew it I hadn’t put it into my life. God doesn’t take us out of situations he goes with us. Without this story in the Bible how would we know what to do.
I like the symbolism of the outer garment - I had never thought about that before. I wonder if you could see his garment[s] as a metaphor for assumption or reputation - what people assume or believe about you based on what they have heard rather than what actually is - in both instances, Joseph is eventually vindicated. I wonder if a lesson might be - if rumors are spread about you, trust God, keep living for Him, and the truth will eventually out.
“Not rescued. With.” That may be the most important distinction in this entire story. Joseph’s faithfulness did not immediately improve his circumstances, but God’s presence never left him inside them. I also appreciated the reminder that his integrity was not one heroic decision—it was repeated obedience under sustained and deeply unfair pressure.
I never went to Sunday school, but I was always taught the full story of Joseph. I kept reading to find what had been left out, but everything you mentioned I heard from the pulpit every time the story of Joseph was taught.
I must have grown up in a golden moment or place or simply with very good Sunday School teachers. I love everything about this except the implications and contempt bordering on slander that bookends it. Even when I have missed things earlier, God is faithful and his word is everlasting! Very glad to have seen this today. I think the real problem, for me, is not that I haven't heard Emmanuel, but that I forget Emmanuel.
That's the way it read to me. The implication that the concept of God being with Joseph instead of immediately rescuing him couldn't be taught by a teacher using flannel graph undercuts the efforts and reputation of a whole generation of teachers, some of whom used those tools effectively alongside Scripture. Not perfectly, but nevertheless, by the grace of God, effectively. There is almost always more that could be said, and I didn't know many Greek or Hebrew words until after my flannelgraph years, but it can be done well, and I don't think everyone taught Sunday School poorly. Thank you for bringing out a potentially overlooked truth.
It is a joke. I was a Sunday School teacher. The whole Sunday School is a weekly theme. It is meant to illustrate that sometimes we weren't taught the whole story. It is as much poking fun at myself as anyone else. Miss Patty is a weekly figure and the aqua net is a joke aimed at me growing up in the 80's. So you can be assured there is no contempt there for Sunday school teachers.
Ah, thank you for explaining. That was my era too, though often I find my experience was different than whatever the supposed norm was. I also have taught Sunday School, and appreciate the encouragement to do the deep digging.
We hear and use so many snippets to remind us of God's omnipresent. Unlike words, a garment brings a visual, and tangible reminder that we can relate to. The key is to remember that even when we are stripped of our garment, we can be assured He will be with us!
Amen! I've been holding onto the story of Joseph all year through the most intense transition of my life so far, and this really digs down to the heart of why I love it. The Lord does not deliver us from battle, but he does stand in the trenches with us.
Diane, as a gentile I’ve studied Joseph, heard many sermons and teachings on his life. I kept reading this to see what you might teach me. I wasn’t disappointed. The relationship of the coat and garment had me going Aha! I hadn’t put those two together in such a way. Thank you for seeing it. Though I’d read God was with Joseph repeatedly and I knew it I hadn’t put it into my life. God doesn’t take us out of situations he goes with us. Without this story in the Bible how would we know what to do.
Thank you.
I like the symbolism of the outer garment - I had never thought about that before. I wonder if you could see his garment[s] as a metaphor for assumption or reputation - what people assume or believe about you based on what they have heard rather than what actually is - in both instances, Joseph is eventually vindicated. I wonder if a lesson might be - if rumors are spread about you, trust God, keep living for Him, and the truth will eventually out.
“Not rescued. With.” That may be the most important distinction in this entire story. Joseph’s faithfulness did not immediately improve his circumstances, but God’s presence never left him inside them. I also appreciated the reminder that his integrity was not one heroic decision—it was repeated obedience under sustained and deeply unfair pressure.
Yes!!!
Well done, thank you. We use Joseph's example in mentoring young male athletes with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Gen 50:20
I never went to Sunday school, but I was always taught the full story of Joseph. I kept reading to find what had been left out, but everything you mentioned I heard from the pulpit every time the story of Joseph was taught.
Thank you for writing this. Great insights.
I must have grown up in a golden moment or place or simply with very good Sunday School teachers. I love everything about this except the implications and contempt bordering on slander that bookends it. Even when I have missed things earlier, God is faithful and his word is everlasting! Very glad to have seen this today. I think the real problem, for me, is not that I haven't heard Emmanuel, but that I forget Emmanuel.
Contempt bordering on slander??
That's the way it read to me. The implication that the concept of God being with Joseph instead of immediately rescuing him couldn't be taught by a teacher using flannel graph undercuts the efforts and reputation of a whole generation of teachers, some of whom used those tools effectively alongside Scripture. Not perfectly, but nevertheless, by the grace of God, effectively. There is almost always more that could be said, and I didn't know many Greek or Hebrew words until after my flannelgraph years, but it can be done well, and I don't think everyone taught Sunday School poorly. Thank you for bringing out a potentially overlooked truth.
It is a joke. I was a Sunday School teacher. The whole Sunday School is a weekly theme. It is meant to illustrate that sometimes we weren't taught the whole story. It is as much poking fun at myself as anyone else. Miss Patty is a weekly figure and the aqua net is a joke aimed at me growing up in the 80's. So you can be assured there is no contempt there for Sunday school teachers.
Ah, thank you for explaining. That was my era too, though often I find my experience was different than whatever the supposed norm was. I also have taught Sunday School, and appreciate the encouragement to do the deep digging.
Thanks for they expanded insights. That's what I love about God's word. There is so much wisdom. I look forward to your next post.
Thank you Warren!!
It makes me think of John 16:33. “In this world you will have many troubles…”
That’s a promise. He doesn’t promise to get us OUT of trouble. But he’ll be there with us through it.
What time are the live Bible studies please? I'm in London
We hear and use so many snippets to remind us of God's omnipresent. Unlike words, a garment brings a visual, and tangible reminder that we can relate to. The key is to remember that even when we are stripped of our garment, we can be assured He will be with us!
Amen! I've been holding onto the story of Joseph all year through the most intense transition of my life so far, and this really digs down to the heart of why I love it. The Lord does not deliver us from battle, but he does stand in the trenches with us.
Wow!, so elaborate🤲🏽.
Besides Jesus, Joseph is my favorite Bible character. Second would be Daniel. Both men were godly men regardless of circumstances.
GOLD 🙌🏻🔥☀️✝️