Scripture to Read: Genesis 39:6-9
At the end of Genesis 39:6, God has Moses write that Joseph was handsome, not just his face but that Joseph was also well built. Before we move forward, we must know that anytime God is mightily at work, the spiritual forces of wickedness are also at work seeking to distract and destroy God’s children. God points this out clearly in Ephesians 6:10-18. If we don’t recognize that there is a spiritual battle going on, then we will be taken down by the temptations of our enemy. The spiritual forces of darkness tempted Joseph through Potiphar’s wife. She was incredibly blatant about her pursuit of Joseph too. Joseph’s response shows us how intimate a relationship Joseph had with our Lord. Joseph reminded Potiphar’s wife that her husband had put Joseph in charge of everything that Potiphar owned. The only thing that Potiphar had withheld from Joseph was his wife. Let’s be sure and NOT miss what Joseph said. Joseph does NOT say, “how could I sin against my master and you?” Instead, Joseph said in Genesis 39:9, “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” Joseph proclaimed his loyalty to His true Master and King. Joseph had to have a strong walk with our Lord to take such a bold stand. Since we do not know how much time passed since being sold into slavery, we know from Genesis 37:2 that Joseph was at least 17 years old, if not older, by this time in Genesis 39. Joseph’s boldness was from our Lord due to his intimate walk with Him.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about the battlefield we walk into each day?
2. How are you preparing for the daily battles of this life and the temptations you know you’ll face?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!