Genesis:39

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* Verse 1-6 - Our enemies may strip us of outward distinctions and ornaments ; but wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us . They may separate us from friends , relatives , and country ; but they cannot take from us the presence of the Lord . They may shut us from outward blessings , rob us of liberty , and confine us in dungeons ; but they cannot shut us out from communion with God , from the throne of grace , or take from us the blessings of salvation . Joseph was blessed , wonderfully blessed , even in the house where he was a slave . God 's presence with us , makes all we do prosperous . Good men are the blessings of the place where they live ; good servants may be so , though mean and lightly esteemed . The prosperity of the wicked is , one way or other , for the sake of the godly . Here was a wicked family blessed for the sake of one good servant in it . * Verse 7-12 - Beauty either in men or women , often proves a snare both to themselves and others . This forbids pride in it , and requires constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it . We have great need to make a covenant with our eyes , lest the eyes infect the heart . When lust has got power , decency , and reputation , and conscience , are all sacrificed . Potiphar 's wife showed that her heart was fully set to do evil . Satan , when he found he could not overcome Joseph with the troubles and the frowns of the world , for in them he still held fast his principle , assaulted him with pleasures , which have ruined more than the former . But Joseph , by the grace of God , was enabled to resist and overcome this temptation ; and his escape was as great an instance of the Divine power , as the deliverance of the three children out of the fiery furnace . This sin was one which might most easily beset him . The tempter was his mistress , one whose favour would help him forward ; and it was at his utmost peril if he slighted her , and made her his enemy . The time and place favoured the temptation . To all this was added frequent , constant urging . The almighty grace of God enabled Joseph to overcome this assault of the enemy . He urges what he owed both to God and his master . We are bound in honour , as well as justice and gratitude , not in any thing to wrong those who place trust in us , how secretly soever it may be done . He would not offend his God . Three arguments Joseph urges upon himself . 1 . He considers who he was that was tempted . One in covenant with God , who professed religion and relation to him . 2 . What the sin was to which he was tempted . Others might look upon it as a small matter ; but Joseph did not so think of it . Call sin by its own name , and never lessen it . Let sins of this nature always be looked upon as great wickedness , as exceedingly sinful . 3 . Against whom he was tempted to sin , against God . Sin is against God , against his nature and his dominion , against his love and his design . Those that love God , for this reason hate sin . The grace of God enabled Joseph to overcome the temptation , by avoiding the temper . He would not stay to parley with the temptation , but fled from it , as escaping for his life . If we mean not to do iniquity , let us flee as a bird from the snare , and as a roe from the hunter . * Verse 13-18 - Joseph 's mistress , having tried in vain to make him a guilty man , endeavoured to be avenged on him . Those that have broken the bonds of modesty , will never be held by the bonds of truth . It is no new thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst of crimes , by those who themselves are the worst of criminals . It is well there is a day of discovery coming , in which all shall appear in their true characters . * Verse 19-23 - Joseph 's master believed the accusation . Potiphar , it is likely , chose that prison , because it was the worst ; but God designed to open the way to Joseph 's honour . Joseph was owned and righted by his God . He was away from all his friends and relations ; he had none to help or comfort him ; but the Lord was with Joseph , and showed him mercy . Those that have a good conscience in a prison , have a good God there . God gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison ; he trusted him to manage the affairs of the prison . A good man will do good wherever he is , and will be a blessing even in bonds and banishment . Let us not forget , through Joseph , to look unto Jesus , who suffered being tempted , yet without sin ; who was slandered , and persecuted , and imprisoned , but without cause ; who by the cross ascended to the throne . May we be enabled to follow the same path in submitting and in suffering , to the same place of glory . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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