"... 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!" But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." (Genesis 39:7-12)
Some crave it and hope for opportunities to engage in it. Some pay precious dollars for just a moment of it. Some spend huge chunks of their time, scheming for another bout of it. But how about this single, handsome, full-blooded hunk, Joseph, who had it offered to him on a platter of gold, but instead of taking up the offer, took off his sandals and ran away as if from a poisonous snake?
Imagine the situation. A beautiful wealthy woman found him attractive enough to ask him for sex. A slave would conquer his wealthy master's wife. Isn't that one of the fantasies of slaves. She did not ask him once, but persisted day after day, probably with some seductive maneuvers and sexy dressing. She finally made a move and grabbed him when no one was around to see. Secrecy was assured. No other human would know of the affair. It would be their special secret. It held the promise of a fun, steamy affair, something Joseph could make a pastime, maybe a staple to relief sexual tensions. After all, he was a single young man.
Despite all these, Joseph refused to yield. He fled the scene. What made him run? A man only runs from danger and destruction. What did Joseph know about illicit sex that we have missed in our days? The answer is in the text.
1. Indulging in it would hurt people that trusted him. Joseph knew it would be a betrayal of the trust of his earthly master, Potiphar, if he yielded to the temptation. Isn't that how it goes. A single sexual compromise can destroy important relationships that you have spent years to build. Spouses get hurt. Children lose respect. A minister can destroy years of work through one act of indiscretion. Public officials lose respect and positions built over years by one act.
2. Indulging in it would be a betrayal of the trust of his heavenly master, God. Joseph feared God. He knew that God would see everything. He understood that sin is noticed by God and it is always judged. It might be a secret affair for now before men, but it is no secret to God and God will judge. Sin will always be exposed. Sin will always trap the sinner. Your sin will find you out. It might take years, but the equation will balance out. Recompense will come. And it usually comes when it will do the greatest harm. Joseph probably knew that from the experience of Dinah his older sister who was never counted as one of the children of Israel and received no blessing after her sexual indiscretions. Joseph knew that yielding to the pleasure now would be the end of his dreams. He would have died as a slave or prisoner.
Sexual sins have great consequences. They are not just things to be swept under the carpet. They steal destinies and destroy lives. If you are being tempted right now. Take the route Joseph took. Leave your things and get out of the door fast. Flee! End the tempting relationship. Run away from the affair. Stop going to the place of temptation. Fleeing sexual sin is the same as running toward your dreams in God. So run.
Decision of the Day
I understand that sexual sin hurt other, God and me. It destroys destinies and kills dreams. I will flee like Joseph did. I will not vaporize the great destiny awaiting me in the palace through a few minute of illicit pleasure.
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