She Lied Because He Wouldn't Lie

O.T. #83  "She Lied Because He Wouldn't Lie"
Genesis 39-Part 2
But he refused. Genesis 39:8
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me; and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Genesis 39:12

LET IT GLOW

When he arrived in Egypt, Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers to the captain of the guard named Potiphar. His owner was an officer of the king called Pharaoh. We know that Joseph spent the next 13 years away from his family. He learned a new language, a new culture, new customs, and different foods.

In this chapter, we focus on Joseph's new life. As he exchanged a tailored coat for a servant's
garb, Joseph learned how to serve others and how to work. He practiced self-control. Although this young man lost his coat, he kept his character. He was able to control his appetites and his tongue.

Dick Kelsey wrote this description of Joseph in his book called the Success Puzzle: 

What we can assume about Joseph as a slave speaks very well of his character and what he learned as a youth. He apparently worked very hard, had a good attitude, was trustworthy, and had the best interest of his master at heart. Imagine having a positive attitude when you went from being a spoiled rich kid to a slave in a foreign country. He did it. His good work ethic and honesty enabled him to be promoted to be the head of all Potiphar's household. He was entrusted with everything it took to run the large operation. The other slaves worked for him.

How's our work ethic? Are we doing our best work, putting out our most effort, honoring our boss as well as our Savior?

LET IT GROW

In order to understand what is taking place next in Joseph's life, let's back up to the last part of
verse 6 in the NIV-Now Joseph was well-built and handsome.
Okay, we have a young man in his early twenty's, who no doubtedly inherited his mother's qualities of a beautiful/handsome appearance. He is working in the office at Potiphar's house, managing all of his master's estate, finances, workers, all of his business affairs. This was one trustworthy good looking dude. He's a top executive, a modern day CEO of the company. Day in and day out he
was around the house of Mrs. Potiphar. Perhaps the two would discussed his work, had a cup of coffee together, hung a picture on the wall, planned a party. I don't know what went on in that mansion. I know she had eyes for him; her eyes were watching Joseph; her heart was touched by his character, though she had none. Mrs. P devised a plan and tried to seduce Joseph. Did it work?

In the very next verse, it says, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "come to bed with me!"
Is that plain spoken or what? What was Joseph's response to this invitation? Verse 8 tells us he refused.
Webster's Dictionary defines refuse as to decline to do or grant; deny; decline to accept: reject.

Here is the woman of a high official in the country, living in a mansion, has servants waiting on her hand and foot and she wants to have sex with a foreign kid running her husband's estate. Who can figure? I guess forbidden fruit is more tempting. Maybe Mr. P was always feeding his face or
off on a business trip, leaving her lonely.

Not only does Joseph refuse to commit fornication with Mrs. P, he does not want to sin against
God.
Verse 9 states, My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his
wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? 

This boy is one smart cookie. He refused to be with her, according to verse 10. did He avoid her at all costs? Walk out of the room when she came in?

Josephs actions are to be contrasted with Reuben's (35:22) and Judah's (38:16). Her first approach involved flattery (verse 7), then the long enticing (verse 10), and finally the ambush (verse 12). He fled to preserve his honor. (Falwell)

Keep in mind, Mrs. P doesn't care about Joseph's God. She is an Egyptian who worships idols.
Does she even have any values at all? The story doesn't end there. She didn't take no for an answer.
She approached him again, only this time, she made sure the household servants were not around.
How did Joseph respond the second time? She caught Joseph by his cloak, an outer garment, and
he fled, slipping out of it, leaving it behind. YES! Go Joseph! Get out of there! RUN, BOY, RUN!
Take notice that this is the second time a coat of Joseph is made to lie about him (37:31).

Do we linger when tempted or do we  flee? Sometimes you just have to turn and walk away or run away or drive away. Anyway, get out of there!

Wiersbe says," Egyptian women were known for their unfaithfulness, but Joseph did not yield.
God was testing Joseph, for if Joseph could not control himself as a servant, he could never control others as a ruler."

2 Timothy 2:22 NIV states,  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Poor Joseph! Nothing like a woman scorned. She lied because he wouldn't lie, with her, that is.
Mrs. P called the men servants and told them, "This Hebrew has been brought to us to make
sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream
for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.

She told her husband the same lie and he believed his wife. Did he even ask Joseph what happened? It caused Potiphar to burn with anger against Joseph. Mr. P put Joseph in prison, the one where the king's prisoners were confined.
We will leave Joseph, an undeserving prisoner held captive. What's he going to do now?

There are times that we are in a pit or in a prison because of our own doing, or not because of anything we did at all. How do we react? How did Joseph react? Are we loving people to Jesus
no matter our circumstances?

LET IT GO

Keep my eyes and heart focused on Jesus, not things of this world.

Stay faithful to my own husband.

Watch my words, actions, and dress so I do not tempt others to sin.

Be aware of what is going on around me; keep my eyes and ears open.

Be grateful for what I have.