Joseph was about 17 or 1S when he found himself a slave in the home of Potiphar, Pharaoh's chief executioner. He had had no previous work experience except perhaps caring for sheep. Now it was 'on the job training'. But soon he had rapid promotion to a position of oversight and trust. Why was this? Look at verses 2 and 4 -'The Lord was with him'. Potiphar quickly saw that Joseph's abilities and character were from a 'Divine source'. He also saw himself prospering because of Joseph's presence in his establishment. The presence of a Christian in his place of employment is very strategic. As far as his gifts enable him, he ought to be the best worker and certainly the most reliable. The way in which a Christian does his work should earn for him the right to speak for Christ. THE TEMPTATION Mrs. Potiphar, the boss's wife had also been watching Joseph, but for very different reasons. Her eyes were filled with lust. All she saw was a fine good-looking young man whom she wanted to seduce. Did the temptation come only once? No, v.10 says it came day after day. Being tempted once and standing firm is very different to temptation repeated day after day. How did Joseph handle it? He was a single young man, may be just 20. He was alone in a foreign land. Everything seemed to say: 'Do it - no one will know.' But Joseph gave three valid reasons for refusing to yield. First, his master trusted him (v.8). Secondly, 'You may be bored, you may be attractive, but you are a married woman' (v.9). Most importantly, Joseph said: 'I cannot do it. It would be a sin against my God'. His final answer is in v.12. He ran. Sometimes the best action in the face of temptation is to do what Joseph did, leave the scene immediately. REMEMBER PAUL'S WORDS: 'Flee, shun anything to do with lust' (2 Timothy 2:22). |
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