Rev. Don Campbell
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, JANUARY 25, 2019: A WOMAN SCORNED [Gen 38-40]
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” has been in our English vocabulary at least since the late 17th century. Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers from other mothers, but the overruling hand of God had caused Joseph to rise to the position of overseer of all that was in his master Potiphar’s house, except his wife (Gen 39:1-6). Joseph was a handsome young man and Potiphar’s cougar wife propositioned him.
Joseph could have rationalized that he had to do it in order to continue in his position. He could have reasoned that this would be sweet revenge for being enslaved. He could have reasoned that Potiphar was neglecting her or she would not have tried to seduce him. When people seek justification for sin, they can always find a seemingly viable argument.
Joseph’s response puts all rationalizations for sin in perspective: ‘How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9). Adultery is not only a sin against one’s mate, but it is also a sin against oneself (1 Cor 6:18) and against God. The seductress didn’t give up easily but tried day after day to seduce him (Gen 39:10). One day she caught him by his outer garment and insisted, “Lie with me.” Joseph left his outer garment behind and fled. He had scorned her for the last time. She charged him with trying to rape her. He was thrown into prison.
And now, the rest of the story: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed” (Gen 39:19-23).
As you read the Scriptures, be careful to note the many times they say, “But the Lord” or “But God.” “But the Lord” may point to God’s providence or his power. The most important “but” in the New Testament is found in Ephesians 2:1-5: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”
CONNECTIONS
1. One of Dr. Phil’s favorite sayings is “If they do it with you, they’ll do it to you. In other words, if they will commit adultery with you, they commit adultery against you. Why do so many people fall for the devil’s lie “But we are different”?
2. Solomon warns his son about the seductive adulteress in Prov 7. Note especially vv.22-27. What figures does he use to describe the end of the seduced?
