Fleeing From Sins

 

Introduction  Text  — Read  Gen. 39:1-12

 

Romans 15:4 we find these words:

⁴For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

This morning I invite you to study with me one of the most instructive and helpful biographies ever penned. The life of Joseph a young man most favored by his father Jacob.  It is the purpose of our study to focus attention  on Joseph's courageous and noble decision to do right when confronted with a grievous temptation, one that offered an opportunity to do otherwise.  Hear the words of our text  "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"  Gen. 39:9   These words and Joseph's example should be constantly remembered by all who want to life godly lives .

 

I commend these words and this attitude to our young people..  These words reveal the soul of a man who wants to be pure in heart regardless of  the nature of temptations he might have to face. "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"  What a mature and lofty attitude.

 

But let us begin by asking ¾ Who was Joseph?  He belonged to a great Biblical family. He was the GREAT GRANDSON OF ABRAHAM of whom even the New Testament has great things to say. In Gal. 3:7 this: ⁷Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

 

We read in Gen. 12:1 of God's call to Abraham. But verse 4 is an impressive verse as to how Abram reacted to God's message. ⁴So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;   The Hebrew writer speaks of Abraham's great faith  in most impressive words.     Heb. 11:8-10  ⁸By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, 

 

 Joseph then was the great grandson of this faithful patriarch. His grandfather was ISAAC a child of promise. born to Abraham at and old age of 100 years.   Isaac like his father was a man who feared and served Jehovah. Likewise Joseph's father Jacob was a man who feared God.  We read these words several times in the Old Testament.  I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God here, acknowledging these faithful patriarchs. 

 

I recall now the young man Timothy whom Paul wrote these words:  2 Tim 1:3-5 - ³I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; ⁴Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;  ⁵When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

 

And would later admonish Timothy:  2 Tim 3:14-15  ¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

Joseph then like young Timothy, was a one who had been influenced by generations of godly example:  He was such an obedient and faithful son that he was looked upon with special favor by his father. He was given a coat of many colors.  He was so dependable that his father could trust him in spite of his youth, to go out and  inquire of his older brother's welfare. Joseph was reliable and trustworthy.

 

However, Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and when they saw him coming to visit them they sought to do him harm.  First they "striped " Joseph of his coat of many colors," then they "cast him into a pit",  and finally sold him to a band of Ishmaelites, where he was carried away into Egypt .   There he was sold as a common slave.  Though carried away from his home  he was not driven away from the God of Abraham, whom he like his fathers before served.  All this did not cause Joseph to become bitter and forget God.  Unfortunately, may people have quite serving God because others have mistreated them. But such was not the case with Joseph.

 

 Again, Joseph's faith and loyalty to God did not depend on his geographical location.  He had been devoted at home with his family and friends, and remained just as faithful in a foreign land, far away from the watchful eyes of his parents and family.  Sometimes young people are not true when away from father and mother.  One does not become strong or weak he is until he is tested away from the watchful eyes of those who love him. In this foreign land, Joseph was devoted to God

 

 Because of his truthfulness and loyalty God blessed this young man.  We read in  Gen 39:2-5

 ²And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. ⁵And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

 

Joseph became a blessing to Potiphar. God's people are always a blessing to those around them when themselves faithful.  Christian's  are a blessing to the community and to a nation. Righteousness exalts a nation. When we life in good conditions, it is often hard to live good clean lives , but amidst evil and corruption it is most difficult.  Joseph was faithful amidst unfavorable conditions 

 

But Joseph finds himself severely tested as well. Our text tells us he was a good person and  well favored.  He was continually in the presence of Potiphar's wife  and she sought to entice Joseph and fixed her adulterous love on him.  Our text is a courageous decision by a young man. Let us read again Genesis 39:7-12   (NKJV)  ⁷And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”  ⁸But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. ⁹There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”  ¹⁰So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. ¹¹But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, ¹²that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

 

The apostle Paul writing  some 2000 years afterward: perhaps with an eye cast upon this very incident penned this — "Flee Fornication" 1 Cor. 6:18  and to his young friend Timothy he would write…  2 Tim. 2:22  ²²Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ¾that is exactly what Joseph did¾

 

Joseph could have reasoned thusly:  If I should submit to the wishes of my mistress, there lies before me a life of ease and pleasure. I shall be exalted, I will be rich. Surely she can prevail over her husband to promote me and give me much honor; but should I adhere to my integrity and refuse to comply with her wishes, I shall be cast into prison, and in the dungeon awaits only shame and disgrace.  But in spite of  all this Joseph said: "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"? Gen. 39:9  

What a wonderful¾  what  an unusual attitude for a young boy who was all alone and away from home , a slave in a foreign country.  Yet remembers his training from home.

 

Let us observe why Joseph made the right decision.  Note the words of his refusal. "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"?

 

While Potiphar's wife and all of Egypt might condone such behavior  as she suggested and say, "There's no harm in it, no one will ever know." Joseph recognized sin for what it was ¾  SIN .   This is a word that has almost passed from our everyday conversation.    People don't sin anymore we say they act badly. Man and woman go off and commit adultery, and we say  they are having an affair¾  God still calls it adultery. Sin is still sin.  In Gal 6:7-8 we read:  ⁷Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸For he that soweth to his  flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption;  but,  he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

America, and the world has lost their view of sin: we regard it so lightly.  But sin is sin to God, and is still a transgression of God's law  Note its penalty :  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  But Joseph regarded sin for what it was¾  Sin notice the name he uses to describe sin in this case¾   "How can I do this great wickedness"?  

 

Sin is wickedness  and must  be put away   Col. 3:5-6

⁵Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, in ordinate affection, evil concupiscence, (sexual desires) and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶For which things' sake, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

 

Joseph's time  in Egypt had not caused him to forget the teaching of his childhood and his vision was not obscured so that he could not recognize sin. But his words show another reason why he refused to sin. Joseph recognized God's presence.  Though he was in a distant land far from where the true God was worshipped he knew that God was near him and God still beheld all his deeds. "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"?  

 

Joseph like David believed these words:  ¹ O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. ²Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou under-standest my thought afar off. ³Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  ⁴For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.          Psa 139:1-4

 

The knowledge that God sees us can be a strong deterrent to sin. Let me remind you again of this unalterable law that ought to help us order every thing in our lives.

⁷Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

 

Another strong factor in keeping him from sin is revealed in that it would be  "a sin against God".  "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God"?

 

While he knew that this sin would be against himself, against Potiphar and his wife,  he knew also it was against his Heavenly Father. Again David a man after God's own heart felt similarly as is revealed in this penitent prayer.  Psalm 51:4 ⁴Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.  Joseph's decision to flee sin and do right indicated that he valued purity and virtue more than momentary gratification of the flesh.  From the lips of the Savior Matthew 5:8

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

 

A great lesson can be learned from Joseph. His refusal and fleeing from evil indicated that he thought it best to:     ²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ²²Abstain from all appearance of evil.    1 Thess. 5:21-22.   Another lesson we learn from Joseph's example   He thought it best not to take one step in the wrong direction. Had he compromised, not intending to actually commit adultery, the story of his life would have been quite different.

 

Joseph did not take even a small step toward sin.  One small wrong  might have meant his falling deeply into sin. While it is becoming more popular in this modern age, we must practice the rule laid down by the apostle.  ²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ²²Abstain from all appearance of evil.     1 Thess. 5:21-22

 

Because of Joseph's decision to do right we read this final statement regarding him. ²²By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.  Hebrews. 11:22    Joseph had lived faithful to God, and he died that way.  It is not a little thing for a boy or girl to know that he or she is morally clean on the day of their marriage.  Every self-respecting boy wants a pure wife, and every virtuous girl deserves  a clean husband. What a fine example Joseph has left all subsequent generations.  A final result of Joseph's decision to do right is his name is written in the New Testament.  In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews God mentioned many of the worthies of the Old Testament. Two thousand years have passed, but God has not forgotten Joseph's refusal to sin.

 

God still remembers and when the young men and women of today love and trust His Son, God knows it. We won't have our name written in the New Testament but more importantly¾ someday another book will be opened, "The Lamb's Book of Life".  Rev. 20:15 and those who have become Christians and kept themselves pure will enter into the city of God. May God grant that we will have many more brave and righteous young people like Joseph.

 

Conclusion: —   Joseph's decision to do right started when he was a child.  He was raised by God a fearing parents ¾great grand parents  who served God faithfully.  Parents let this example set deep in your hearts.  Faith in God is passed to our children by God fearing parents. The men who influenced Joseph are men who served God in their generations: Hear Jesus' testimony concerning them     Matt. 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.    

 

The impact of godly parent cannot be overly stated.  Joseph was influenced by his early training.  Abraham¾ Isaac¾ and father Jacob.  The importance of a godly parent example and the importance of your children knowing God early.  Read 2 Tim 1:1-5   and again 2 Tim 3:14-15

 Proverbs 22:16 teaches us:  Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. This is a principle ¾ not a hard rule¾  Your  children may not turn out  like  you want  to ¾ even after you have raised them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: But God's principle is thus stated:  Proverbs 22:16  They have such a better chance of knowing right and wrong if raised to know God.