Caught in a Trap
Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Why is Joseph alone in this situation that easily degenerates quickly? The trap of hell sells a lie that we can resist and run and nothing can go wrong. Many things can and did go wrong. There are many situations that need not arise if we heed the word of God and the Holy Spirit on fashion, decency, music we can listen to, relationships we can have, confidences and friendships we can maintain … what we can read etc.
It is doubtful that this is a situation that just suddenly emerges. There are many warnings on how to avoid the bait of the enemy in the first place. Was Joseph just an innocent young man attractive to Potiphar’s wife … perhaps that was so … did Joseph know it … maybe and perhaps not. Surely a messy situation has developed which may be the harvest of a seed someone somewhere has sown. Many situations can be avoided if we heed to the cautions in the word of God. More importantly single men should not wander into the boudoir of a woman unescorted. I pray you will not be lured into traps of any form and if you are already in one God will make a way of escape. Every trap has a bait … the victim must be baited into the trap. Baits are selected based on a study of the victim and determination of the optimum approach. The baits selected by the devil tell a lot about you … because the enemy of your soul has been watching you for long. It is silly to just expect you will find yourself victorious if you have not identified the bait early and checked your heart to respond to why this bait was chosen for you.
Joseph was in a trap. Either way he would lose something … either his freedom by going to jail or suffering for resisting the advances or worse … his integrity and destiny if he chose infidelity. Joseph was wise to choose to be jailed … indeed this trap was part of God’s process to bring him closer to realizing his destiny. Young men and women – be careful. Heed the warnings. … As for Delilahs … you can repent or face the ultimate end of a wicked damnation. Be ye Holy.
Song.
Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children;
Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy,
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see.
Words: William D. Longstaff, 1882
Prayer: O Lord, teach us and help us to be holy. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
