Genesis 39:1-23
Monday, 11 April 2022
“And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph…” -Genesis 39:7
Very often in our Christian walk we forget our war is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. The Bible cautions “Stay alert,” watch out for your great enemy the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
In today’s reading we see a young man devoted and steadfast in his relationship with God, that when temptation came his way he knew that he would in no way succumb to it and displease the God whom he worshiped. So he takes a very strong stand against the devil’s schemes. Yet the devil did not let go but pursued to destroy him, but the LORD God who had called and separated him, used even this trial to bring glory to His name and proved his faithfulness in Joseph’s life because of his unwavering trust in Him.
As God’s children, we are targets of the enemy and he lays his trap carefully to catch us unawares, just as a hunter lays his snare to catch birds. Our victory is always through our continual walk with God and by living according to His Word.
The methods he used to ensnare Joseph, are the very same he would use on us- young and old alike. Joseph’s encounter with sin gives us valuable lessons:
Never be found alone in a vulnerable place
The first thing the enemy does is to get us to a place where we are all alone. Often, we feel we are strong enough to handle his schemes by ourselves, not realizing that we are not strong to fight this battle alone. Never be found in a vulnerable place alone without any spiritual support. Joseph though very clear of his motives was found alone with Potiphar’s wife which turned against him (V.11). In Genesis 3 we read about how Eve was caught alone by the devil; in 2 Samuel 11 we read how the enemy allured David to sin, when he was alone and all his men had gone for war. His tactic is to single us out and attack us. So may our prayer always be: “Lord, deliver us from the evil one.”
Never leave a trail in the hands of the enemy
Joseph though being a righteous man yet was trapped by the enemy because of his one garment that was with Potiphar’s wife (V.16). Nobody could prove his innocence because of this and she used this to accuse him. Yet God turned this test into a triumph for Joseph when He worked all things for his good because of his personal life of holiness and integrity before God.
Never compromise, but flee away from sin
The reaction of Joseph towards the situation is a practical lesson for us to follow. His words in Vs.9 were: “…How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” He fled from the scene!! People fall into sin, when then they dwell on the scene for a while. Though there was nobody to watch him, Joseph decided to flee away from that place. Let us not linger around sin, but flee from it.
Let us look deep into our lives and see if there is any un-confessed sin. Are we still lingering around any secret sin? It could be just one that would be a foothold for the devil to take us down-hill. It may be only a desire displeasing to God; but if not rooted out, it would soon become full blown sin.
The only way to resist the devil, is to give the lordship of our lives to Christ Jesus. And if this is our stand, though the devil traps us, just as he did to Joseph, God will rise to our defense and bring us out unscathed.
To Act on: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Listen: 'The battle belongs to the Lord'
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