"How Could I Commit This Great Badness?" Conclusion of "HE NEVER CONSENTED"

"HE NEVER CONSENTED"

Potiphar's wife did not like what she heard.... Why, just imagine this lowly slave turning her down, actually referring to her offer as "great badness" Nonetheless, she persisted. Perhaps her vanity and pride were stung, making her determined to turn Joseph's no into a yes. She thus showed a spirit like that of Satan, who tempted Jesus. Satan's attempt failed too, and instead of giving up. Satan just waited for "another convenient time." (Luke 4:13) Faithful people thus need to be determined and steadfast. That was how Joseph handled himself. Though this situation wen ton "day after day," he would not budge. We read:  "He never consented."  (Genesis 39:10) Potiphar's wife, however, was a determined seductress. 

She picked a moment when the servants were all out of the house. She knew that Joseph would have to come inside in order to do his work.  When he did, she sprung her trap. Grabbing hold of his garment, she made her plea one last time:  "Lie  down with me!" Joseph acted quickly. Wrenching away from her grasp, he pulled back-but she held fast to his garment. He twisted free, leaving it behind in her hands. And then he fled! - Genesis 39:11, 12. 

We might be reminded of the apostle Paul's inspired counsel:  "Flee from sexual immorality!"  (1 Corinthians 6:18)  What an example Joseph set for all true Christians!  Life may force us into proximity with those who have no regard for God's moral laws, but that does not mean that we have to give in to wrong influences. Whatever the cost, we must flee.

In Joseph's case, the cost was high. Potiphar's wife wanted revenge. She immediately began screaming, summoning the other servants into the house. She claimed that Joseph had attempted to rape her and had run off when she screamed. She kept the incriminating garment and waited for her husband's return. When Potiphar came home, she presented the same lie, implying that it was  all her husband's fault for bringing  this foreigner into their home. Potiphar 's reaction? We read: "His anger blazed"!  He turned Joseph over toe the prison to have him incarcerated. -Genesis 39:13-20. 

Next time:  Continue with How Could I Commit This Great Badness? -" WITH FETTERS THEY BOUND HIS FEET"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2014