Temptations

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD [was] with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all [that] he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time [that] he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." But he refused and said to his master’s wife, "Look, my master does not know what [is] with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. "[There is] no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you [are] his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her [or] to be with her. But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house [was] inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. "And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside." So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; "so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside." So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners [were] confined. And he was there in the prison.” (Genesis 39:1-20 NKJV)

Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold into to slavery, a fate he did not deserve at the hands of his own family. I cannot imagine how fearful this must have been for him. Surely, he thought his world, as he knew it, had ended. He likely expected a life of misery.

However, God did not forsake Joseph, but elevated him to a position of favor (v.4). Therefore, what must have seemed to be the worst thing possible ended up working out for him. Sure, he was a slave, but a slave with great honor.

Of course this didn’t last. Joseph being a handsome man and Potiphar’s wife being wicked, she lusted for Joseph asking him to lie with her (v.7).

What choices did Joseph have? He could have entertained her hoping Potiphar would never find out about it. However, to do that would cause him to suffer God’s displeasure. He could refuse her and suffer whatever reprisal she would bring. Both choices put him at risk, and this is the power of temptation.

Temptations always pit loss against gain. Think about Joseph’s state of mind. Sold into slavery by his brothers, he escapes his worst fears. Now, he is face with another, greater disaster. He could end up in jail forever, or worst dead.

This is when the mind begins to rationalize sin. Maybe God will understand considering the circumstances. After all, I am to respect my authorities and Potiphar’s wife is my authority. I could always blame it on her. If I don’t do what she asks, she might put me out anyway. What will happen to me then?

Thankfully, Joseph responds by honoring God (v.9). Of course, he ends up in prison again after Potiphar’s wife attacks him, and he is left without his garment (vs.19-20).

However, God does not forsake Joseph. Eventually he is raised to be a ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.

This is a wonderful display of loyalty by Joseph and sovereignty by God. It gives us three things to think about.

One, don’t think current blessings exempt you from future temptations and trials. You must be ready to make the right choice at all times.

Two, strong temptations will always cause you to choose between a perceived blessing or comfort and presumed or actual loss.

Three, God never forsakes His children. We can choose loss because our true rewards are not carnal, but spiritual. Be careful how you choose today.