He Resisted Temptation

AS A young man, Joseph was beloved and favored​—by Jacob, his father, and by Jehovah, his God. But that did not mean that Joseph had an easy life. Rather, he faced great animosity. When Jacob singled him out and gave him special treatment, Joseph’s half-brothers grew jealous and spiteful. When Jehovah sent him prophetic dreams to foretell that the family would one day bow down to Joseph, his brothers’ hatred only intensified.

One day, when Joseph was about 17 years old, Jacob sent him on a journey of several days to check on his brothers’ welfare. They viciously attacked him and threw him into a dried-up cistern. They coldly ignored his cries for help. Although they had talked of murdering him, they decided instead to sell him to some passing traders. Later, the brothers misled Jacob, convincing him that his beloved Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. In truth, Joseph was taken far south to Egypt, where he was sold as a slave to Potiphar, an official in Pharaoh’s government.

It would have been easy for Joseph to give in to despair. Instead, he showed courage and worked hard. Thus, we read: “Jehovah was with him.” Jehovah saw to it that Joseph met with success after success. Potiphar entrusted him with the care of his entire household.

But trouble was brewing. “Joseph grew to be well-built and handsome,” and that did not escape the notice of Potiphar’s wife. She did not hide her interest. She even said: “Lie down with me.” What would Joseph do? His family was far away. He was a slave, mere property for his owners to treat however they chose. This woman surely had the power to make his life miserable. Was Joseph tempted to give in to her? Would he have the courage to say no?

The Bible answers: “He refused.” Joseph told her that he would not betray her husband, who trusted him fully. More important, Joseph spoke these words: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” Joseph’s love for his Father, Jehovah, gave him the courage to say no firmly. But Potiphar’s wife did not give up. She persisted “day after day.” Finally, one day when there were no other servants nearby, she grabbed Joseph by his clothing and demanded: “Lie down with me!” Joseph broke free and fled. But she held on to his garment. Later, she showed it to Potiphar and claimed that Joseph had tried to rape her. Furious, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison.

Now he was deep in a pitlike prison. For a time, his feet were in fetters and his neck was in irons. (Ps. 105:17, 18) Joseph might easily have despaired. Had Jehovah abandoned him? No! And Joseph never lost trust in his God. He worked hard in prison, and Jehovah blessed him. Before long, he was entrusted with great responsibility there. He kept enduring courageously, year after year.

Because of Joseph’s faith and courage, he remained useful to Jehovah. In time, God sent a pair of prophetic dreams to Pharaoh and enabled Joseph to explain them. Joseph told the king that the dreams foretold seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Deeply impressed, Pharaoh entrusted Joseph to handle the approaching crisis. He made Joseph a powerful ruler in the land, second only to Pharaoh himself. As it turned out, Joseph was able to save from starvation not only the Egyptians but also his own family. When his brothers came to Egypt for food, they unknowingly bowed down to their younger brother. The dream Jehovah gave Joseph in his youth had come true. But his brothers also proved that, with time, they had become better men. The brother they once hated saved them, their father, and the future nation of Israel​—all because he showed courage and maintained his faith in Jehovah.

Read the Bible account:

• Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1-23; 41:1–45:28

For discussion:

In what ways did Joseph show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. What supports the accuracy of this account about Joseph’s life in Egypt? (g 11/10 15 ¶2)

   Your answer

2. 2. How did Joseph know that Jehovah would consider adultery an act of “great badness”? (Gen. 39:9; w22.08 26 ¶2)

   Your answer

3. 3. Why did Jehovah allow Joseph to become prime minister of Egypt? (w96 5/1 11 ¶4) A

   Your answer

   

4. 4. What indicates that Joseph’s faith never wavered, even at 110 years of age? (Gen. 50:25, 26; w07 6/1 28 ¶10-11) B

   Your answer

   

Reflect on the Lessons

• What do Joseph’s dealings with his brothers teach you about how to react when you are mistreated by a fellow Christian? (Gen. 45:4, 5; 50:19-21)

  Your answer

• Even when Joseph was far from home, he was loyal to Jehovah. How can his example help us . . .

  • while at school? C

    Your answer

    

  • while traveling? D

    Your answer

    

  • while using a smartphone or another device? E

    Your answer

    

• How might you imitate Joseph’s courage in your life?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does this account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• What would I like to ask Joseph in the resurrection?

  Your answer

Learn More

Although Jehovah did not shield Joseph from trials, He helped Joseph to endure them. See how Jehovah can help you too.

“Jehovah Is Helping You to Succeed” (w23.01 14-19)

How can children imitate Joseph when others are mean to them?

Endure Despite Unjust Treatment (1:31)