Holy: Fighting Temptations
‘Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession… a holy nation.’
And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
(Exod 19:5-6, Gen 39:1-23)
You are warmly welcome!
What does it mean to be a holy nation? Israel’s youngest son illustrates with his own life what it means to be wholly set apart for God. At only 17 years old, Joseph was sold into Egypt, and for the next 11 years he lived at Potiphar’s house. We do not know what Joseph’s responsibilities were when he began at this house, but they may have been intensively physical because he became ‘well built’ probably with a six pack! This coupled with his good looks made him prey to his master’s wife. Such a young man in the prime of his life, hot-blooded and excited with all the desires of that season, somehow avoids temptation from Potiphar’s wife. How would he achieve that?
Relate with God: We see in the last part of v.9 how Joseph recognizes that if he gratifies his desires, he will sin against God. Joseph has a depth of relationship with God that he does not want to grieve with sin. He can’t bear to disappoint the God he loves. Yes, he is loyal to his earthly master Potiphar, but in the end, it is his greater heavenly master that Joseph is most concerned about.
Recognize Sin: Once again in v.9 Joseph recognizes what Potiphar’s wife wants as something wicked and terrible. Joseph sees it for what it is – sin. The Bible is God’s blueprint for humanity. He loves us enough to define sin in His Scripture and to warn us away from it. He does so not because he’s against pleasure, but because He knows in the long run, sin is disastrous for you.
Run and Flee: Potiphar's wife tried every approach from the direct demand to the daily pleading and Joseph strongly refused her and even rebuked her. In Verse 10 Joseph not only refused to go to bed with Potiphar’s wife, but he refused to even be with her. And finally, when she grabbed his robe, he didn’t stop and use the moment to teach Mrs Potiphar about his faith; he didn’t hesitate and share with her that he’s flattered but must decline, or how it’s nothing personal, or how it might be different, under different circumstances. He didn’t spend one moment on one word of conversation. And he didn’t go back for his coat. He fled, he beat it, he bounced out of there — right away.
We should always avoid putting ourselves in situations that might lead to temptation. Allowing yourself to be alone with a person of the opposite sex could tantamount to regrettable actions! Joseph formed convictions for obedience to God in advance, not in the heat of the moment. That is what it means to be set apart – to be holy.
God bless you all.