JOSEPH #9 : JOSEPH SOLD TO THE EGYPTIAN POTIPHAR #2
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3605
JOSEPH #9
JOSEPH SOLD TO THE EGYPTIAN POTIPHAR #2
As Potiphar's chief steward, he was a respected man with great responsibility.
However, ominous storm clouds were gathering. Joseph was not aware that the trials ahead would be far worse than those he had already faced.
With a handsome young man serving her husband, doing such a good job, and constantly in the house, Potiphar’s wife tried to entice Joseph into having an affair with her. Joseph simply reminded her that he was totally committed to her husband and would not betray his trust. Further, he would not commit such a sin against his God.
Day after day, she pleaded with Joseph to enter into a relationship with her, but without success. One day, when Joseph was working alone in the house, she sought to entice him yet again. Although Joseph again refused, she tore off one of his garments as he fled.
Immediately Potiphar’s wife called for the other men of the household and accused Joseph of trying to assault her. She claimed to have cried out, causing Joseph to flee and leave his garment behind. When Potiphar learned of the incident, he became angry and had Joseph incarcerated.
The situation looked bleak for Joseph, but the worst was yet to come. However, before that next major trial, there was a brief respite for the honorable young man. The Lord was with him through his imprisonment; therefore, by His hand, the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners.
Again, in whatever Joseph did, the Lord prospered him. But yet another serious trial was soon to befall Joseph.
What lesson have we learned today?
Joseph's fleeing from Potiphar's wife resonates with Paul's teachings against sexual immorality.
Paul gave two commands to his youthful ward Timothy regarding sexual immorality.
2 Timothy 2:22, ESV: "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."
1. Timothy was most likely in his early 30s at this time and still single. Youthful passions were as much a concern for men of that era as they are today (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was to not only guard against sexual temptation but also to flee from them.
2. Timothy is also given a list of areas to "pursue." This list included five areas: "righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." The first four are internal attributes. The fifth, however, is a community with other devoted believers.
Hebrews 10:24–25 also spoke on this topic, stating, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
