Joseph - The First Test of Loyalty

 

But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. (Genesis 39:11–20 ESV).

 

The scene of our reading is pretty clear. Joseph finds himself in a very difficult circumstance. Many men before and after Joseph have faced the same temptation. If Joseph had slept with Potiphar’s wife, he knew the consequences; however, he knew that his faith and loyalty to the Lord demanded that he do what was right. The Lord clearly did not condone adultery. It might have been what we have called a “no-win” situation. The truth, however, is far from this. Joseph’s choice was a grand victory. He was able to maintain his loyalty to the Lord.

 

The sins of breaking trust, of failing to fulfill a solemn task, of violating a sacred responsibility—these can shatter relationships and make reconciliation immensely difficult. When an athlete violates the rules by using banned substances, when an investment manager misuses other people’s money, when a public official uses intimidation or cover-up—these are deadly sins that bring ruin into many people’s lives.

 

Joseph, who was highly conscientious and responsible, was fully aware of the trust placed in him by Potiphar. That gave him the moral clarity to view adultery with Potiphar’s wife as “a wicked thing” and a “sin against God.” Joseph passed the test of loyalty again and again, but Potiphar’s wife managed to frame him and get him thrown into prison. Now he had to bear more injustice and suffering.

 

As a steward, Joseph served with unwavering loyalty to fulfill the responsibilities placed on him. Many readers have noted that this is also what Jesus did; he came to do the will of the Father who sent him, despite the suffering he faced for our sake. Loyalty to God is always a higher calling; and it often is not accepted by the world. Choose the Lord… every time!