Faith in Troubled Times (Pt. 6)

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. (Genesis 39:6-10 ESV).

 

Today we begin a chapter in Joseph’s life that is all too common in our world. He has risen to the pinnacle of success in managing the household of his master. However, he is faced with a monumental challenge in his life from the sexual advances of Potiphar’s wife. His refusal to submit to her sexual demands is both reasonable and clear. She would not relent: “And she spoke to Joseph day after day…” (v. 10). He remained faithful. His refusal and commitment to remain faithful to the Lord will cost him dearly, resulting in his false imprisonment. It become a story from his life that provides hope that by God’s grace, good may eventually prevail in every situation.  There are five things for us to remember in applying this episode of Joseph’s life to our troubled times:

 

§  First, there is the practice of loyalty. The story of Potiphar’s wife is about loyalty as much as it is about resisting temptation. Potiphar’s wife was disloyal to her husband, but Joseph was loyal both to Potiphar and to God.  

§  Second, tragedy is never the end of the story. Potiphar’s wife chooses an angry, vindictive plan (vv. 14-15). When Potiphar came home, his wife showed him Joseph’s cloak and lied accusing Jospeh. Potiphar, outraged at Joseph’s supposed betrayal, put him in prison (v. 20). When Potiphar’s wife stirred her husband’s jealousy and made him throw Joseph in prison unjustly, God was still there, comforting and blessing Joseph. From this we can learn that, even if we are treated unfairly in this life, God will never forsake His children (cf. Hebrews 13:5). Let this be an encouragement to you… it’s not the end of your story! 

§  Third, resisting temptation is an active decision. Joseph both verbally and physically resisted the temptation. All too often we fall into the trap of sin simply because we don’t fight for obedience. Loyalty is not passive.

§  Fourth, sin is sin common wisdom. We regardless of cannot find excuse for our sin in the acceptance of it within our culture. Joseph understood what God’s expectations were and that was his guide.

§  Fifth, we are blessed in every circumstance by God. The incident with Potiphar’s wife is bookended by two passages that speak of God’s love and blessing to Joseph. Joseph found favor in the eyes of the Egyptians among whom he lived and rose to a position of prominence in the house of Potiphar (vv. 1-6). Joseph’s success and position was the direct result of God’s blessing (vv. 2-3). When Joseph was wrongly accused and sent to prison, God remained faithful (vv 22-23).

 

In all things God is faithful. Trust in Him regardless of your circumstance!