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We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Two: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows. Part 2.

3. Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to vow nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth.^a Neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believes so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform.^b Yet it is a sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority.^c

a. Exod 20:7; Jer 4:2. • b. Gen 24:2-3, 5-6, 8-9. • c. Exod 22:7-11; Num 5:19, 21; Neh 5:12.

4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.^a It cannot oblige to sin; but in anything not sinful, being taken, it binds to performance, although to a man’s own hurt:^b nor is it to be violated, although made to heretics or infidels.^c

a. Psa 24:4; Jer 4:2. • b. 1 Sam 25:22, 32-34; Psa 15:4. • c. Ezek 17:16, 18-19; Josh 9:18-19 with 2 Sam 21:1.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Two: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows. Part 1.

1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship,^a wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calls God to witness what he asserts or promises; and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears.^b

a. Deut 10:20. • b. Exod 20:7; Lev 19:12; 2 Chron 6:22-23; 2 Cor 1:23.

2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence;^a therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred.^b Yet as, in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the Old,^c so a lawful oath, being imposed by a lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken.^d

a. Deut 6:13. • b. Exod 20:7; Jer 5:7; Mat 5:34, 37; James 5:12. • c. Isa 65:16; 2 Cor 1:23; Heb 6:16. • d. 1 Kings 8:31; Ezra 10:5; Neh 13:25.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁷ “And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” ⁸ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. ⁹ He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:7–9 (ESV)

^13 “The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, ¹⁵ calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, ¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” (Proverbs 9:13–18 (ESV)

The sin by Potiphar’s wife against Joseph began with her eyes. She began to desire Joseph in what she saw (Gen. 39:6; I John 2:15-17). She brazenly commanded him to lie with her, which is another way of saying she wanted to be physically intimate with the young Hebrew. Her demands towards him were relentless.

Dr. Don Carson writes, “Remarkable beauty, either of men or women, often proves a dangerous snare both to themselves and others, which forbids pride in it and commands constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. We have great need to make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31:1), lest the eye infect the heart. Joseph’s mistress had a husband that ought to have been to her for a covering of the eyes from all others (Gen. 20:16).”

However, Joseph’s integrity shone brightly. He continually and fervently refused to have anything to do with her. He even continually told her why he would not give in to her advances. “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. ⁹ He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Joseph logically told Potiphar’s wife that he could not sin against Potiphar in light of all the good he had done on Joseph’s behalf. However, the ultimate reason was he saw her sin in contrast to God’s holiness. What she wanted to do was great wickedness and sin against the LORD. It was depraved and it was wrong.

Dr. Carson adds, “She was daring and shameless in the sin. With an impudent face, and a harlot’s forehead, she said, Lie with me, having already, by her wanton looks and unchaste desires, committed adultery with him in her heart. Note, where the unclean spirit gets possession and dominion in a soul, it is as with the possessed of the devils (Luke 8:27, 29), the clothes of modesty are thrown off and the bands and fetters of shame are broken in pieces. When lust has got a head, it will stick at nothing, blush at nothing; decency, and reputation, and conscience, are all sacrificed to that Baal-peor.”

May each of us resolve to not sacrifice decency, reputation and conscience for the fleeting and deceptive desire of sin.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. ⁶ So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.” (Genesis 39:5–6 (ESV)

Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers (37:12–36), is now a servant in Potiphar’s Egyptian house (39:1). However, we have thus far seen that that the LORD was with Joseph (Gen. 39:1-4) in all his circumstances.

One commentator explains it this way: “Joseph’s situation is not as bad as it seems. At first, Jacob’s son is only a menial slave for Pharaoh’s captain of the guard, but soon he is given a more respectable status as an indoor servant (v. 2), before becoming Potiphar’s personal attendant (v. 4). This is a position of great honor and indicates a close, personal relationship between the two men.”

The Hebrew root (sharat) used for Joseph’s position is the same one used for Joshua’s relationship to Moses (Ex. 24:13). Joseph is so beloved and trustworthy that he is left in charge of all of Potiphar’s financial matters so that the captain need only worry himself with his personal affairs (Gen. 39:6a). 

The Hebrew word for blessed (barek) means to be filled with divine favor. It is to be in a condition of favorable circumstances. This was the status of Potiphar’s household because of God’s blessing through Joseph.

Dr. R. C. Sproul states, “So great is Joseph’s success that even his pagan master can see the blessing on his life (Gen. 39:3). Indeed, God has been good to Joseph in his travails.”

John Chrysostom writes: “Grace from on high stood by him [Joseph]…and smoothed over all his difficulties.”

John Calvin explains, “We see how abundantly the grace of God is poured out on the faithful, since a portion of His kindness flows from them even to the reprobate. We are also taught what an advantage it is to receive the elect children of God to our hospitality, or to join ourselves to those whom divine favor thus accompanies, that it may diffuse its fragrance to those who are near them.”

Soli deo Gloria!

³”His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.” (Genesis 39:3–4 (ESV)

Proverbs 16:1-9 is an instructive portion of wisdom literature. Solomon achieves a delicate balance between the providential sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Consider what Solomon considers by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. ² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. ³ Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. ⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. ⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. ⁶  By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. ⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.⁹ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

The wisdom of Solomon applies in the life of his ancestor Joseph. It is interesting to note that even the Egyptian Potiphar saw that Yahweh was with Joseph and that it was the LORD who caused all which Joseph did to succeed. Joseph was actively serving the LORD as the LORD was actively working in and through Joseph (Phil.2:12-13).

Puritan Matthew Henry writes, “Joseph’s brethren had stripped him of his coat of many colours, but they could not strip him of his virtue and prudence. Those that can separate us from all our friends, yet cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of all his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian. Joseph was separated from his brethren, but not from his God; banished from his father’s house, but the Lord was with him, and this comforted him. It is God’s presence with us that makes all we do prosperous.”

Have a blessed day in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. ² The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:1–2 (ESV)

“All things are ordained of God and are settled by Him, according to His wise and holy predestination. Whatever happens here happens not by chance, but according to the counsel of the Most High.”  Charles Spurgeon

It is interesting to note the tenor of today’s text by Moses in describing the events occurring in Joseph’s life. Two times Moses uses the word “brought.” Joseph had been brought down to Egypt by the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. It was from the Ishmaelites that Potiphar bought the Hebrew slave.

On the surface, it would seem that Joseph was nothing more than a victim of circumstances. Nothing could be further from the truth. Moses emphatically refutes this notion by his use of five words: The Lord was with Joseph.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Any and all ideas that Joseph, twice a victim of injustice, had been abandoned by the Lord are summarily banished by the employment of phrases highlighting God’s oversight of his circumstances, e.g. “with him” (Gen. 39: 3, 21), “caused all that he did to succeed” (vv. 3, 23), “found/gave him favor” (vv. 4, 21), “blessed/blessing” (v. 5), and “showed him steadfast love” (v. 21). Neither being unjustly sold into slavery and forcibly removed from the land (Gen. 37:28), nor being unjustly accused of sexual harassment and imprisoned (Gen. 39:13–18) were events signaling even a temporary loss of divine superintendence of Joseph’s life and God’s purpose for his people, Israel.“

The biblical record of Joseph’s life is one of the clearest examples of how God providentially works out His plan in history. For centuries, the idea that the universe is a closed, mechanical system has dominated Western thought and behavior. Both science and popular culture largely assume the universe exists “in a box” and is not subject to influence from something or someone outside of this box. As astronomer Carl Sagan once erroneously remarked, “The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “In its most basic sense, God’s providence refers to His seeing something beforehand. This is not just a reference to time, although our Creator does indeed see the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:8–10). The Almighty’s seeing of something before it happens does not result simply from Him looking “down the corridors of time.” He knows the future because He has ordained it, even the precise number of our days (Ps. 139:4). The Lord’s providence also refers to space. Everything is before God’s eyes at all times. Nothing can escape His vision (Ps.139:7–12). This truth is a great comfort for the believer. Jesus tells us we are of more value than the sparrow, which never escapes the Lord’s sight (Matt. 10:28–31). Ultimately, divine providence reminds us that there is a God in heaven who not only knows our sins, He also knows and cares about all of our joys, tears, aches, and fears.”

How good it is to not only remember God’s providence in the life of Joseph, but also to reflect on His providence in our own lives. It is in the LORD that each of us lives, moves and has being (Acts 17:24-28).

Take time today to thank the LORD for His providence in your life. May each of us rest and take comfort in this truth.

Soli deo Gloria!

^29 “When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes ³⁰ and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” ³¹ Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. ³² And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” ³³ And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” ³⁴ Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. ³⁵ All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. ³⁶ Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:29–36 (ESV)

Today’s text does not reveal to us exactly where Rueben was when Joseph’s other brothers sold him into slavery to the Midianites (Gen. 37:25-28). Reuben had intended to rescue his younger brother from the pit (Gen. 37:22). When Reuben realized that Joseph was no longer in the pit, he was genuinely grieved. He tore his clothes, a sign of mourning, and asked his brothers, ““The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Reuben did not know what to do or where to go in order to rescue his younger brother.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Although he (Reuben) was absent at the time of the sale, he would be held responsible for the treachery, and so joined in the cover-up (vv. 30–35). His grief manifested how much he had actually wanted to rescue Joseph (see Gen. 42:22).”

Whatever genuine grief Reuben may have had gave way to the conspiracy of lies he and his brothers conspired to tell to their father Jacob. Jacob the deceiver of his own father Isaac now becomes the deceived at the hands of his own sons.  The deceiver of his own father Isaac (27:18–29) was now deceived by his own sons’ lie. What goes around comes around. Sin’s punishment is often long delayed but ultimately delivered (Gal. 6:6-8).

Jacob was inconsolable. He expressed no hope beyond the reality of physical death (I Thess.4:13-18). Moses’ usage of the word Sheol is the first OT use of this term for the abode of the dead (in Gen. 35:20 the “tomb” is used to refer to an earthly burial plot). It is a general Hebrew word meaning the place of the dead (used 65 times in the OT), referring to either the body in its decaying form or the soul in its conscious afterlife.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Finding Joseph absent, Reuben rends his clothes, a sign of mourning and a prediction of his father’s reaction to this news. Many commentators say this shows Reuben loved Jacob and was concerned for his emotional state. His brothers, on the other hand, hide their crime by slaughtering a goat and dipping Joseph’s treasured coat in its blood (v. 31). As typical, one misdeed leads to another. Matthew Henry comments: “When the devil has taught men to commit one sin, he then teaches them to conceal it with another…but he who covers his sin shall not prosper long.” Indeed, the sin of Joseph’s brothers will one day find them out (Gen. 44; Num. 32:23). Jacob is inconsolable at the loss of his favorite son, and he believes that he will not see Joseph again before his death (Gen. 37:33–36). Ironically, Jacob’s sons use a goat to deceive him about Joseph’s fate just as he, as a son, once tricked his father Isaac with a goat as well (27:1–29). Most likely, this is another instance of divine, talionic (eye-for-an-eye) justice where Jacob reaps what he has sown (Gal. 6:7). God turns away His eternal wrath from all who repent; nevertheless, sin has its consequences in the here and now.”

Today’s text concludes with these words: “Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.”  

Jacob was in inconsolable grief, but the LORD was in providential and sovereign control. An earthly father was beyond hope, but Joseph’s eternal Father was confidently leading (Acts 7:9-10), as He continues to do so today.

Soli deo Gloria!  

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day Weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty One: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day. Part 5.

8. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employments and recreations;^a but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.^b

a. Exod 20:8; 16:23, 25-26, 29-30; 31:15-17; Isa 58:13; Neh 13:15-22. • b. Isa 58:13; Mat 12:1-13.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day Weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty One: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day. Part 4.

7. As it is of the law of nature that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him:^a which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week,^b which in Scripture is called the Lord’s Day,^c and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.^d

a. Exod 20:8, 10-11; Isa 56:2, 4, 6-7. • b. Gen 2:2-3; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1-2. • c. Rev 1:10. • d. Exod 20:8, 10 with Mat 5:17-18.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

²⁵ “Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. ²⁶ Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? ²⁷ Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. ²⁸ Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” (Genesis 37:25–28 (ESV)  

With Joseph in the pit, his brothers encounter a golden opportunity in deciding his fate. Midianites appear carrying gum, balm, and myrrh — wares used in medicines, perfumes, and candies. Ancient commerce also included the selling of human beings.

Judah suggests that they sell Joseph into slavery for a handsome profit; they would earn twenty shekels of silver from the sale (Gen. 37:25–28). This would equal out to be two shekels for each brother.

²⁶ Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? ²⁷ Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.” The insincere concern for Joseph by Judah and the other brothers is sarcastically touching. They won’t kill Joseph but they will sell him into bondage.

Since the normal yearly wage for a shepherd was eight shekels, twenty would be a great financial gain. In selling Joseph into slavery, his brothers hope to ensure his dreams will not come true (v. 20). However, the LORD would use their wicked deeds to fulfill Joseph’s visions (50:20) and God’s providential plan.

Still, though God’s providence is guarding Joseph, his life is not free of suffering. The same is true of believers today.

John Calvin writes in his comments on 37:19: “We, also, who have received the gratuitous adoption of God amidst many sorrows, experience the same thing. For, from the time that Christ gathers us into his flock, God permits us to be cast down in various ways, so that we seem nearer hell than heaven.”

Joseph’s journey now takes a decisive turn. He is heading south to Egypt. However, he is not alone. God was with him (Acts 7:9).

Soli deo Gloria!