Genesis 39
Joseph runs from Potiphar’s wife
Joseph, with an unblemished character, unusually
handsome, with an exceptional gift for leadership and the ability to make the
best of every unpleasant situation. Born in Haran, 75 years after the death of
Abraham, 30 years before the death of Isaac. At the age of seventeen, he was
sold into slavery in Egypt and spent thirteen years in Potiphar’s house.
The test Joseph received in Potiphar's house was
a defining moment in his life when he faced life's ultimate test. What did he
really believed in as absolute truth? When confronted by Potiphar’s wife he
explained he could not commit a sin against God. He took the moral high ground only to be falsely
accused and imprisoned.
Jesus too was tested with
temptation and false accusation. Joseph
did not defend himself when he was falsely accused, so Jesus "did not open His mouth" (Isaiah
53:7) when He was falsely charged and put on trial. As God vindicated Joseph
and raised him to a place of leadership over all of Egypt, so "God raised Jesus from the dead"
(Colossians 2:12) and "exalted Him
to the highest place and gave Him a name that is above every name, that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow....and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) Joseph could have succumbed to
temptation and gotten away with it. He resisted and it cost him. When we are
faced with temptation, may we pray for the courage to resist.
Almighty
and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom break
and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt
teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory
that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and in peace and
righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with
permission © WELS
Halley’s
Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962
Zondervan Grand Rapids, MI
Collect for Defending
the Church from error, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St.
Louis
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