Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
If Joseph was savvy (and he was!), he could think of several common sense reasons to say "NO!" to Mrs. Potiphar. A wise writer who understands says that the temptation was "sudden, ... strong, ... seductive," meaning, Mrs. Potiphar was no repulsive hag. She was obviously young, knew how to make herself appealing to a young man with blood as hot as any youth's in history.
Joseph could have reasoned in a calm, logical, mental induction method: he might get AIDS or some other sexual disease; gossip travels--his family might hear of his indulgence in fornication and adultery. But these wise reasonings often get drowned by sudden "seductive" temptation, and people do things when secrecy is involved. "Stolen water is sweeter," says Solomon. "Stolen bread tastes better," "bread eaten in secret is pleasant" (Prov. 9:17, GNB, KJV).
But what was the reason why Joseph said no? "This is a sin against God!" he cried out in his soul (Gen. 39:9). There is a wealth of understanding in that profound statement. Had the secret liaison taken place, Potiphar would not have known, possibly wouldn't even have cared; "nobody would get hurt," is the common view. And seriously, people wonder, why should God up in heaven care if we have a little fun? How could what we do down here affect Him up there? Why is sexual sin something "against God"?
The reason is that the crucifixion of Christ is involved in that sin. You can't do something "against the Lord, and against His Christ," said the apostles, without in the process murdering the Savior of the world (Acts 4:26, 27). You join "Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel," they said.
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" asks the old lyric. Well, yes. But remember that He prayed for His crucifiers; "Father, forgive them." If you accept His forgiveness, like Peter you'll always have some little tears in your eyes; and maybe your voice, too.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 6, 2001B.
Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
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