Why Not

“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”   Genesis 39:9  

Desire dangled from every word of her sultry proposition, and few would fault him for accepting.  His brothers’ betrayal had landed Joseph on the Egyptian auction block, and the favored son was now Potiphar’s slave.  His master noticed his good work.  His master’s wife noticed his good looks.  “Now Joseph was well built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’”  (So much for being subtle.)

“Why not?” he could have said.  His brothers wanted him out of their lives; she wanted him in her arms.  He wasn’t paid for his hard labor, so she would be an easy bonus.  And technically, since her husband was his boss, Joseph should obey her as well.

But instead he said, “I can’t. You belong to Potiphar, and although I’m totally in charge, you’re the one thing I can’t touch.  How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”(Gen 39:9) 

Don’t lessen the lesson by assuming Joseph was some eunuch or by thinking that saying no was no big deal.  Joseph was a red-blooded, full-hormoned, all-grown-up guy.  His physical urge for satisfaction was strong and unfulfilled. Saying yes and waltzing to the bedroom would have been much easier than walking away and waiting on God, but Joseph knew that being faithful was far better than just feeling good.  So he turned her down.  And turned and ran.

When temptation seizes you and demands an answer, your relationship with God should be the bottom line.  Realize that giving in is a sin against the One who gave everything for you.  That’s reason enough to just say no.

Refuse when you need to.

Run when you have to.

It’s always better to lose your coat than your character.