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Genesis 39 · Grade 5

The Lord Was with Joseph

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Read and Think

Genesis 39 is framed by a repeated phrase: Yahweh was with Joseph (verses 2, 3, 21, 23). It appears at the beginning when Joseph prospers in Potiphar's house, and again at the end when he is in prison. God's presence is the constant in both success and suffering. The chapter also shows God's blessing spilling over onto an Egyptian household for Joseph's sake, a small fulfillment of the promise that the nations would be blessed through Abraham's family.

Potiphar's wife repeatedly tempts Joseph. His refusal is a model of moral reasoning: he names his responsibility to his master who trusts him, and then the deepest reason: How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Joseph knows that all sin is first against God (compare Psalm 51:4). When words are not enough, he flees, leaving his garment behind. Joseph loses a coat for the second time, and once again a garment is used to deceive.

Falsely accused, Joseph is thrown into prison. Yet the Lord showed kindness to him (steadfast love, hesed), and Joseph rises to responsibility again. Joseph's story contrasts with Judah's in chapter 38: Judah gave in to temptation in the promised land, while Joseph resisted in a foreign land. Christians have read this as a picture of Jesus, who was tempted yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15), and who was falsely accused.

Show What You Know

  1. What phrase frames this chapter, and why is it important?

  2. How did Potiphar's household show the promise to Abraham being fulfilled?

  3. What two reasons did Joseph give for refusing to sin?

  4. How do chapters 38 and 39 contrast?

  5. How have Christians seen Joseph as a picture of Jesus?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

JosephwithGodprisonlove
  1. Genesis 39 is framed by a repeated phrase: Yahweh was Joseph (verses 2, 3, 21, 23).
  2. Joseph knows that all sin is first against (compare Psalm 51:4).
  3. loses a coat for the second time, and once again a garment is used to deceive.
  4. Falsely accused, Joseph is thrown into .
  5. Yet the Lord showed kindness to him (steadfast , hesed), and Joseph rises to responsibility again.

Think About It

  1. Joseph said sin is first against God. How does seeing sin that way help you resist it?

  2. God's steadfast love followed Joseph into prison. Where do you need to remember that God is with you?

Memory Verse

No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Genesis 39:9 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What can you do to get away from a tempting situation?
  • How can you do your best work when no one notices?
  • How can remembering that God sees everything help you choose right?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.