There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9).
3 Resisted When Young
And it came to pass after these things that his master s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, Lie with me (Genesis 39:7). But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me. But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside (Genesis 39:11-12).
1) His age. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father (Genesis 37:2). Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:46).
2) The greatness of the temptation. So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her (Genesis 39:10). But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside (Genesis 39:11).
3) We likewise will be tempted. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God ; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (James 1:13-15). Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).
4) We must resist like Joseph. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
4) We must resist like Joseph. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
3 Resisted When Young 3 Remained Pure
That she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me. But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside (Genesis 39:12).
1) God expects us to be pure. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart (Psalm 15:1-2).
2) A problem faced by all God s people. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, Where is the LORD? And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit (Jeremiah 2:7-8).
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols (Acts 17:16). Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
3 Resisted When Young 3 Remained Pure 3 A Sin Against God
There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9).
1) He could have tried to justify his sin. (a) I m young and need to sow my wild oats! (b) No one will know! (c) Surely God will not deny me this pleasure! (d) Everyone else is doing this type thing! (e) If God cared I would not be here!
2) We need to think like this young man. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-8). But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10). You shall not follow a crowd to do evil... (Exodus 23:2).
3 Resisted When Young 3 Remained Pure 3 A Sin Against God 3 Remained Strong
1) Think of the difficulties he faced. (a) He was hated by his brothers. (b) Brothers wanted to kill him. (c) Was sold to the Ishmaelites. (d) Separated from his father. (e) Why did his father not seek him? (f) Potiphar s wife lied about him. (g) Thrown in prison.
2) Yet he never lost his faith in God. (a) The dreams he interpreted. And they said to him, We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. So Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please (Genesis 40:8). And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it. So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace (Genesis 41:15-16).
2) Yet he never lost his faith in God. (b) His words to his brothers. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive (Genesis 50:20).
2) Yet he never lost his faith in God. (c) The name of his son. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house (Genesis 41:51).
3 Resisted When Young 3 Remained Pure 3 A Sin Against God 3 Remained Strong 3 Never Became Bitter
1) He still loved his brothers. When Joseph s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him (Genesis 50:15). Thus you shall say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you. Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him (Genesis 50:17).
2) He knew it was God s plan. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, Behold, we are your servants. Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them (Genesis 50:18-21).
3 Resisted When Young 3 Remained Pure 3 A Sin Against God 3 Remained Strong 3 Never Became Bitter