“Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim 2:22). “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).
The focus of Genesis now returns to Egypt and will stay there for the rest of the book. There is evidence the Lord has blessed the erstwhile slave-boy. In fact, “His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand” (Gen 39:3). Thus Joseph was given oversight of everything Potiphar owned. But watch out! We’re told Joseph was a good-looking fellow, and Potiphar’s wife “cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me’” (v 7). Here we go again! Will Joseph, far from family influence, having been hard done by in life, feeling he deserves to “follow his heart,” as they say? Listen: “He refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master…has committed all that he has to my hand…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?’” (vv 8-9). Ah, that’s it! He appreciated Potiphar’s trust, but he refused to sin against God! Remember? “The Lord was with him.” But she kept at it “day by day” (v 10) trying to wear him down, then one day grabbed his tunic and tried to coerce him down beside her. Joseph took off running, leaving “his garment in her hand” (v 12). Oh no, another clothes line! Using it as “evidence” for the opposite of what happened, she said it was proof Joseph had started to disrobe in her presence before she scared him off. Did Potiphar, the chief executioner, believe her? If so, Joseph’s head would have been removed by sundown! But to keep the peace at home, Joseph was unjustly incarcerated in prison. And the conclusion? “BUT the Lord was with Joseph” (v 21). Are you in a place of temptation? Get out fast! Better to lose your job, even your reputation, than the fellowship of the Lord.