Genesis 39:7-23 Joseph Resists Evil

Joseph finds himself prospering in Egypt. All of a sudden temptation arrives. Potipher’s wife tries to lure him into a sinful relationship.

Joseph refuses, “How could I do this great evil, and sin against God” (Gen 39:9).

When you and I sin, we sin against God. Sin is not merely a matter of self-esteem, as some contemporary preachers would have us believe. Sin is a matter that grieves God and offends His holiness.

Joseph recognizes this great truth, and it causes him to remain faithful to Potipher and to God.

Finally, Potipher’s wife finds herself alone with Joseph one day. As she tempts him again, Joseph flees. In the process she grabs his garment which tears in her hand.

She immediately tells her household that Joseph tried to attack her. When her husband hears her charge, he imprisons Joseph.

Where is the Lord? Verse 21 explains, “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.”

When trouble strikes it is easy for us to forget that God is with us. For that reason, Genesis 39 gives us two examples from the life of Joseph. When Joseph is sold as a slave, God is with him (39:2). When Joseph is wrongly imprisoned, God is with Him (39:21).

What a great truth for you and I to keep in mind. As we face difficulty this week, possibly today, let’s cling to the Lord and His goodness. He is with us.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me” - Psalm 139:7-10