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To
say that life is filled with trials and temptations is, as sportscaster
Howard Cosell used to say, to have "a marvelous grasp of the
obvious." To realize, however, that these trials often come on the
heels of our greatest successes may be to understand the very essence of
what makes life so hard.
It's
probably true that how we handle success says as much if not more about
us as how we handle failure. In learning to overcome temptation, Joseph
was going to be challenged with success and the temptations it brings.
And he would demonstrate that the lessons of God were starting to take
hold in his young but maturing heart.
In
Genesis 39, we see the saga of Joseph's life take a fascinating turn. He
had become the property of Potiphar (37:36), an officer of Pharaoh and
the captain of the guard. It is here that Joseph, as a servant, would
learn how to be a leader--with all of its ups and downs.
The
Power Of Testimony.
Potiphar
was "captain of the guard" (39:1).There is some discussion
among Bible scholars as to what that role was. Some say he was a warden,
others believe that he was captain of the palace guard, and still others
say he was captain of the executioners.What we do know is that Potiphar
was wealthy enough to have many servants and slaves (vv.11,14), and he
had now added Joseph to his collection. Joseph distinguished himself as a
young man of skill and ability, but it became clear that those talents
were not the key to his life. Genesis 39:2 gives us the real key:
"The LORD was with Joseph." God's presence was the difference.
Imagine
how painful it must have been at age 17, not only to have been torn from
his family and sold into slavery--but to have his family do it! How easy
it would have been to become embittered and hate-filled (like his
brothers). But that didn't happen to Joseph. Although he was far from
home, the presence of God was very real in his life. In fact, this is the
theme of Genesis 39 (see vv.2-3,21,23), and it had a dramatic impact on
Potiphar. He could not help but recognize the presence of God in the life
of this remarkable slave. Imagine how strong Joseph's testimony had to be
for Potiphar, who was a pagan, not only to recognize and admire Joseph's
character but to attribute it to God rather than to Joseph.
The
clear implication of the text is that Joseph was not bitter toward his
brothers nor enslaved by his circumstances. He was content in the
presence of God (cp. Heb. 13:5-6 and Phil. 4:10-13). He didn't mourn his
disappointment but became useful where he was. And God used that heart of
faithfulness and contentment.
Potiphar
recognized God's presence with Joseph (39:3), and he made this young
slave the overseer of his entire household (vv.4-6). Joseph now
supervised all the other servants, handled public relations, oversaw
finances, and was responsible for the provisions for the household
(valuable training for a later assignment Joseph would receive).
Everything
Joseph touched was blessed. Now, perhaps 10 years after being sold into
slavery, Joseph was on top of the world. And now he was more vulnerable
than ever to temptation.
The
Power Of Temptation.
Notice
the closing words of Genesis 39:6, "Joseph was handsome in form and
appearance." He was good-looking and well-built. Now Potiphar's wife
enters the scene. Her response? She "cast longing eyes on
Joseph" (v.7).She would have been right at home in modern America. A
recent McCall's magazine survey polled 60,000 American women, and the
results were stunning: 47 percent said that they thought premarital sex
was acceptable and 27 percent endorsed extramarital affairs. Potiphar's
wife had the same mindset. She was attracted to this young man
physically, so she offered herself to him.
Look
at Joseph's response.
He
refused her advances because of a powerful set of convictions. These
convictions were not learned from his father, Jacob, nor from his
hate-filled brothers, nor in the courts of pagan Egypt. These convictions
were learned in the presence of God. He not only battled temptation, but
he had a battle plan that he would follow as she continued to pursue him.
He
had the right concerns (vv.8-9). He was concerned ethically that his
actions not hurt others, in this case Potiphar. His master had entrusted
him with much, and Joseph refused to violate that trust for a moment of
pleasure. He also looked beyond the immediate to the ultimate,
recognizing the consequences that such sin would have on his relationship
with God (v.9). He was concerned spiritually, because he understood that
all sin is against God. The offer of sensual pleasure is not worth the
price tag attached to it.
He
had the right strategy (v.10). He avoided contact with her. Joseph
realized that he had to be aware of the lure of sin and avoid its
opportunities. He had to be alert!
It's
like the story of a man applying for a job as a telegraph operator. One
by one the applicants went for their interview, and one by one they were
rejected. Finally, it was his turn. As he responded to the interviewer's
questions, he was distracted by a tapping sound the man made with his
pencil. He alertly translated them into dots and dashes, told the man
what he was sending, and was hired for the job.
He
had the right escape route (v.12). When Potiphar's wife finally got
Joseph alone, he ran as far as he could as fast as he could, leaving his
coat behind. What Samson, David, and Solomon did not do, Joseph did. He
fled, keeping the courage of his convictions and his integrity intact. He
exemplified Paul's advice to Timothy: "Flee . . . youthful
lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22). He didn't flirt with sin, argue with it, or
reason with it. He fled from it.
In
spite of the evil environment, the woman's persistence, and his limited
personal spiritual training, Joseph resisted. How?
He
recognized that he belonged to God. He recognized sin's effect on others.
He recognized sin as defiance against God.
This
young man's godly character was continuing to be shaped. In a perfect
world (or on a 30-minute television sitcom), his commitment would have
resulted in everyone living happily ever after. But real life doesn't
operate that way. Life in a fallen world seldom rewards right living.
The
Power Of Revenge.
Have
you heard of the fury of a woman scorned? Joseph lived it. He was ruled
by principles, but she was ruled by passion. And when she was rebuffed,
her passions exploded in anger. She had her own strategy--revenge.
Joseph
was lied about to the men of the house (39:13-15)--the second time a coat
had been used in a lie about Joseph. Joseph was lied about to Potiphar
(vv.16-18). Joseph was imprisoned again (vv.19-20), and again it was
undeserved.
Remember
that Potiphar may have been the chief executioner. In ancient Egypt, the
penalty for adultery was 1,000 lashes, but the penalty for rape was
death. It's possible that Potiphar knew that his wife was lying. At the
very least, he knew that such an accusation was out of character for this
young man. But desperate to save face, he had to do something. So he
imprisoned Joseph.
Joseph
ended up in jail for doing the right thing. We protest, "It isn't
fair!" And that's true. Often life isn't fair--but our
responsibility is to do right and leave the consequences to God.
Now
what of Joseph? He responded properly to his enslavement and to his
temptation as well. How would he respond to this imprisonment?
The
Presence Of God.
Once
again he found comfort in the presence of his God: "The LORD was
with Joseph and showed him mercy" (v.21). It would have been easy to
ask, "Why be good and do right if I end up here?" But Joseph
didn't. He rested in God's presence, and God blessed him, even in prison
(vv.21-23).
Once
again, Joseph began to learn what it means to overcome. He was learning
from the pains, problems, dangers, and tests of life. All these things
come into focus when we view them through the lens of God's sovereign
purposes. Then we can trust His will and know His mercy.
Joseph's
character was under construction as he was shaped by adversity, punished
by men, and honored by God. Genesis 39 ends the way it began--with Joseph
in bondage. Yet through it all, his solid faith in God's control had
helped him overcome.
Curtis |
