19/1/18 – Genesis 38, Genesis 39 Matthew 13:36-58 Psalm 11:1-7
TODAY’S POST IS WRITTEN BY ALAN COYLE
Joseph showed himself a man of pure heart, where many others failed.
Now Joseph was a very handsome and well built young man. And about this time, Potiphar’s wife began to desire him and invited him to sleep with her. But Joseph refused.
Gen 39:11,12 – 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.
Joseph knew when to fight and he knew when to run! The Potiphar’s wife incident was no time to sit down and talk things through. In the early stages he did that (Gen.39.6-9), but when she got beyond suggesting, it was a time for flight (v12
It seems so unfair that Joseph went to Gaol for a crime he refused to commit. Yet his dreams were nearer coming true than he realised. Where would the story have gone if Joseph had given in to temptation? But he passed the test and as a result God could trust him with great privilege and power. God loves to conceal His hand until the last moment. Just when the enemy thinks he has won, he discovers his defeat is total and irreversible, like at Calvary for instance.
Never cast away your hope in God. Things may be bad now, but your day is coming if you will only remain true. Joseph’s personal victory enabled him to ultimately bring deliverance to his family and to the nation. Don’t underestimate the importance of a clean and holy life.
