"Run, Joseph, Run"

     One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Joseph. It has all the makings of a great soap opera (jealousy, anger, betrayal, sexual tension, and the rags to riches plot that we all love). But there is so much more to the story. More than is traditionally told in Sunday School. It's about leaving no room for sin. Let's do a quick review.

The Joseph Run-Down

     Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob (Israel). It was clear that Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons. Scripture says Jacob loved Joseph because he was the son of his old age (Genesis 37:3-4). While I believe this is true, I, also, think Jacob loved Joseph because his true love, Rachael, gave birth to him. (Remember: Leah, Jacob's first wife, was a result of the old bait and switch trick by his Uncle Laban.) Anyway, Joseph experienced a prophetic dream in which his whole family bowed down to him (Genesis 37:5-11). This, along with a multi-colored coat which identified him as his father's favorite, cemented the jealousy and hatred his brothers felt for him. When the opportunity arose, his brothers cast him into a pit and sold him in to slavery(Genesis 37:23-24, 28).

     In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the manager of Pharaoh's household. God anointed Joseph in his duties, and Potiphar became very fond of him. Joseph became Potiphar's personal assistant and had complete run of Potiphar's house. Now, this is where the story gets really interesting:

 (Genesis 39: 6-15)
^6-7 Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master's wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, "Sleep with me."
^8-9 He wouldn't do it. He said to his master's wife, "Look, with me here, my master doesn't give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he's put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn't turned over to me is you. You're his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?" ¹⁰ She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her. ^11-15 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there. She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, "Sleep with me!" He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house. When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside, she called to her house servants: "Look—this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he's trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could. With all my yelling and screaming, he left his coat beside me here and ran outside."

"Run, Joseph, Run"

     Looking through carnal eyes, Joseph had a right to sin. He was a great kid. Honored God and his parents. Based upon his prophetic dream, Joseph was slated to be in some serious leadership role. Instead of great things happening to Joseph, he was despised by his brothers and sold for a price. Joseph was stripped from his mother's love and father's protection. Then, he was sold as a slave. While it was true he'd garnered favor from Potiphar, it still wasn't the same as having complete freedom. He wasn't allowed to run his own life. Scripture doesn't speak of Joseph having a social life or love interest. There were still so many limitations!

     If anybody had a reason to sin, wouldn't it be Joseph? Seemingly, God had allowed him to be robbed of his parents and his freedom. Being obedient to God hadn't quite paid off in the way he'd imagined. Now, this woman is throwing herself at him day after day. She was his for the taking (if he wanted her)! Don't you think Joseph may have considered the offer for a split second? There's a good chance he did. I don't know many heterosexual males that wouldn't have considered the opportunity.  However, instead of giving in to temptation, he ran for his life!

Don't I Have a Reason to Sin?

     Did you know there are times Christians feel they have a right to sin? They feel they've tried to play by the rules and nothing has worked out for them. Their mind says, "Lord, I waited for you. I prayed, fasted, and honored you in every way I knew how. I believed what you showed me in my spirit, dreams, visions, and through your Word. Nothing has come to pass. Following you hasn't worked out for me." 

     The truth is you will never earn the right to sin. As a Believer, we are to avoid sin because we love God more. God sacrificed His best for us; we should give Him our best. If God doesn't give us what we want when we want, we shouldn't throw away His code of conduct. Don't we see this so many times?
          God, you didn't bring me my husband, so I deserve to pick my own!
          God, my wife isn't sexually satisfying me, so I deserve to have an affair!
          God, my boss isn't paying me my fair wages, so I deserve to skim a little off the top!

It goes on and on. God doesn't give us what we want, so we rationalize our disobedience. Look at Abraham and Sara. God promised them an heir in their old age. Sara couldn't wait and took matters in to her own hands. She allowed Abraham to sleep with Hagar (Notice he didn't refuse the proposal, but that's another topic for another day). Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Then, Sara gave birth to Issac. To this very day, the lineage of Issac and Ishmael still have a heavy disdain for each other.

     What would happen if we just trusted God? Yes, it can be very hard. There are things that we long for. Remember that God has something special just for you! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." However, deciding to sin is never a beneficial resolution to the issue. Sin equals death. It could be physical death, relational death, financial death, death of peace, etc. Something has to die.

One More Thing

     Just in case you want to use the "I just couldn't help myself !" excuse please remember God always provides a way of escape. I Corinthians 10:13 states, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." In other words, RUN! JUMP! HOBBLE! Do whatever you have to do to remove yourself from the situation. If it's pornography, turn the cable and Internet off. If it's gluttony, throw all the fattening food away. If it's gossip, place yourself on a silence fast. He always provides a way out; you just have to choose to take it. The way out may not be easy. It may not be pleasant. But it is critical! In spite of what Joseph's body told him, he ran! In spite of how fine she looked that day, he ran! He ran from sin and to God.

Happily Ever After

     Joseph went through trials after making this critical decision. He endured false accusations and imprisonment, but oh my in the end! In the end, he was promoted to second-in-command under Pharaoh. He was reunited with his family. God used him to deliver his people from starvation. Joseph gained much wealth. He married and had children of his own to love. His obedience gave new life to him and the people connected to him.


Dear Child of God,

I know it seems hard right now. Nothing is working out how you thought it would. You've prayed but the heavens are as brass. Don't be discouraged. God gave His very best (Jesus) just so you wouldn't be eternally separated from Him. He hears your prayers. This is a faith walk. Yet, will you trust Him. Pass your test. Prepare for your breakthrough.

I do love you,
Dapoet