THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Christians, we should live in such a manner that we wouldn't be afraid to sell the family parrot to the neighborhood gossip!
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Gen 39:1-9
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
KJV
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Joseph was an amazing man. He had been hated, despised and sold into slavery by his own brothers, yet his character remained impeccable. How often do we allow the treatment we receive from the world to alter our character and faithfulness to God?
Potiphar was a very influential man. He was captain of Pharoah's special body guard. This man really liked Joseph and put him in charge of all he owned. Joseph had found grace in God's sight and was given a very influential position.
He was evidently a winsome man; handsome and diligent in his work. Faithfulness, integrity, honesty and diligence are character traits that are recognized even by worldly people. These character traits are normally developed in a person who has a genuine relationship with God.
Generally, our relationship with God will bring responsible leadership. And responsible leadership will allow us to be placed in positions of influence. However, along with responsibility comes temptation.
No doubt, Potiphar praised Joseph highly. Maybe that's what caught the attention of Potiphar's wife. She invited him into an adulturous relationship.
Here is a man who had every cause to be bitter and to have an attitude of "getting back" at the world. But Joseph was devoted to God. The thought of her proposal was reprehensible to him.
Adultery is a sin against OTHERS, and it is sin against GOD.
Joseph's integrity was based on his devotion to God and he did not allow his character to become impeached by ill treatment from the world. He remained faithful in all he did. He recognized her proposal as callous disregard for his master, and also as sin against his Lord.
Let us resolve to:
Develop our character by a genuine relationship with God,
To not allow our integrity to be impeached by ill treatment from the world,
To recognize sin and flee from it!
Love ya,
Bruce