3/8 through the Bible in Devotions

Genesis 39 Worldlines

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. (v.7)

It seems that Pharaoh’s wife had everything that one could imagine, except Joseph! She seemed to be the type that likes to control people, (men), And thought to do so with Joseph. No doubt Pharaoh was not as ignorant as one might think him to be, as to her wiles, since he did not put Joseph to death, which would have been the usual procedure for trying to seduce the queen! At any rate, Joseph proved himself a man of character, unlike his wicked brothers, who had already shown their character. Character is long in coming, but it is a very precious commodity for our lives. When the flesh is weak, and failure is at the doorstep, Character will prevail, and save the day. Joseph resisted her seduction day by day, until she was spurned, and therefore, vengeful. This is all too typical of a wealthy woman of royalty, her riches spoil her, and she becomes domineering. Riches spoil goodness, and often sell their character, leaving them with nothing but rich heartaches. The world has only that hope which is contained in power and riches.

Egypt, a picture of the world, was rich and lavish at the time of Joseph, and had a lot to offer a young man. In Proverbs 13:22, we see that “the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just”, and we see the truth of this later in the book of Genesis. Joseph was a pure man, a wise man, logically reasoning with himself against sin (vs. 8, 9); we need purity of mind as well as purity of body. Joseph had them both, and because of this, he gained purity of the soul. He was a “just” man in the eyes of the Lord. Purity of the soul manifests itself in moral character, as it did here. Joseph fled from sin, (1 Cor. 6:18) and obtained the favor of God and man. I believe that the keeper of the prison probably knew all about Pharaoh’s wife, and therefore respected Joseph all the more, right from the start. Purity wins respect, although we may not see it (usually because of the pride of those who respect us), and obtains the favor of God and man.