I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. My work schedule has recently changed, meaning that I may not have time every day to complete these. As a result, I am trying to get several days ahead. I hope this does not negatively impact the quality of these posts (if that is possible). If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt he came into the house of Potiphar, a powerful and influential man. Joseph was faithful to God and God was with him. As a result, Joseph quickly rose in Potiphar’s household, until he was in charge of everything. Potiphar’s wife soon began desiring Joseph and attempted to seduce him, but Joseph refused. Joseph told her that it would be wrong for him to overstep the bounds which Potiphar had set for him and that doing so would be a sin against God.
Potiphar’s wife continued to pressure Joseph until one day she caught him in a compromising position, or at least one which she could make appear compromising. Yet Joseph still resisted her advances. She used the circumstances to accuse him of attempting to do what he had refused to do. Once again Joseph ended up in a bad position. The first time he ended up in a cistern and sold into slavery because he had done the wrong thing (bragging to his brothers that they would bow down to him). This time he ended up in a rather nasty prison because he had done the right thing. I am not going to go into much depth about the rest of this passage except to point out that Joseph had learned from his mistake of bragging to his brothers. When he was called before Pharaoh, he emphasized that he had no power to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, but that God was capable of doing so.
This passage reminds us of how important it is to remain faithful to God in the face of sexual temptation. It also reminds us of the price we may sometimes pay for that faithfulness. It is worth noting that in this story the woman is the sexual predator. Of course, before anyone goes thinking that the Bible singles out women as the ones who always initiate sexual sin, it is worth noting that it was Joseph’s older half-brother Judah who was guilty of sex with someone he thought was a prostitute at the end of yesterday’s passage.
Jesus told His disciples that they were permitted to understand His message but that a quote from Isaiah applied to many of those around them.
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
The quote continues by saying that those to whom it applies closed their own eyes so that they would not see. When I see the people around me who intentionally misconstrue God’s word so that they can ignore His commands it makes me want to cry because I know that God is offering them healing for the hurt they are experiencing. I see people all of the time seeking for something more, yet rejecting God’s message. Jesus told us this would happen in this passage. I pray that God’s Spirit will change the hearts of those who can be made willing to listen. As I write this I think of several of my friends to whom this applies and my heart breaks for them because they will not listen. They refuse to turn to God and let Him heal them. I will continue to pray for them that God’s Spirit may touch their heart.
I always find this psalm a challenge. I know that when God has examined me that I have done wrong. Nevertheless, I am determined to not sin in what I say. I know that I shall from time to time fail in that determination. However, I also know that God will answer my prayers because I trust in the blood of Jesus. I pray that the day will come when the Holy Spirit will complete my transformation and I will be able to say that when God examines me He will find that I have done no wrong. In the mean time I am grateful for God’s wonderful grace.
These proverbs are fairly straightforward, the results of being wicked are indistinguishable from being cursed, while the results of doing what is right will be blessings. It will appear as if life itself is mocking those who mock others, while it will be gracious to those who are humble. The wise will be honored, while fools will experience shame.