Lessons in Loyalty
Wednesday Night Bible Study, March 15, 2012
Genesis 39
Loyalty is an important sign of the person we have chosen to become.
Loyalty marks us by the persons,
groups, institutions and ideals we have chosen to be steadfast and constant with. Loyalty goes hand
and hand with friendship and companionship. But it can often be exercised in situations where the
person you are loyal to is unkind, hurtful and even downright mean. Though King Saul was very hurtful
to David and often pursued him through the wilderness to kill him; David remained loyal to him. He
spared Saul’s life many times when he had opportunity to take him out. David felt a loyalty to him as
King and ultimately trusted God to deal with him. (1 Samuel 24)
In real life, we are often called to be loyal to an unkind authority, an incorrigible boss, a heartless
company, a president we did not vote for or a country that has lost its way. Loyalty isn’t blind and it
doesn’t mean we never disagree or try to correct wrongs. But it does see past the man or institution and
is pledged to the higher ideal these places represent. (Romans 13:1)
Sadly, some may find themselves in a hostile relationship with a wife or a husband. But it must be
remembered vows were made and wherever vows were made, loyalty is divinely required. Let a wife or
husband stay loyal in these tough situations. God sees the loyal spouse and will reward them.
A son or daughter who has gone astray needs our loyalty. It has been said about the prodigal son, that
he knew he could go home. He knew he would be received. Every prodigal son or daughter I have ever
known (including myself) when broken, knew they could go home to their church, their family, their
parents. But a word to loyal parents, you must first be loyal to their souls by being loyal to the truth.
This means hard things must be done to counter a prodigal. Remember, Dad didn’t follow his son down
the road to rescue him from every bind his runaway heart would get into. Loyalty often means doing
something (or not doing something a prodigal wants) that will hurt them in the short run but help them
in the long.
“Faithful/Loyal are the wounds of a friend.” Proverbs 27:6
Joseph’s Example of Loyalty Genesis 39
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A loyal man is favored and prospered by the Lord. Gen 39:3 and vs 4
With a loyal companion, you never ever worry about anything. 39:6
Loyalty is always tested. If it isn’t how will you know it is faithful? Vs 7
Loyalty does not cringe under pressure. Vs 8
Loyalty doesn’t need an ‘accountability partner’. (Loyalty is fully aware of accountability to God!) vs. 9
Loyalty shows itself brightest over the long haul. Vs 10
Loyalty is proven in secret. Vs 11
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What you are in secret-is what you are in reality.
Sin crouches, then pounces upon a man at a time when it is most apt to succeed. What the
man does, in that moment, defines whether he is loyal or not. 11, 12
Loyalty can suffer accusation. Loyalty lies within the character, not reputation. Reputations can be
smeared, but character is untouchable by the hateful. 13-16
Stupid loyalty is stupid. 39:19
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Potiphar was wrongfully loyal to his unfaithful, lying wife.
When choosing loyalties—always be loyal to the truth!
Situations will divinely develop to reveal wrong loyalties.
Sometimes we must wisely and courageously choose truth over loyalty to blood. (1 Sam 2:30)
Be loyal to God before you are loyal to your parents, your sister, your brother, your spouse! (Mark
10;29)
A loyal person is a loyal person wherever he is. 22-23
Reward and favor will find the loyal man, wherever he is. 21-23
The Redeemer sees and rewards a loyal person
“Boaz answered her, “I’ve heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law
after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and
have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. God reward you well for what you’ve done—and
with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you’ve come seeking protection under his wings.””
(Ruth 2:11–12, The Message)