Who’s Going To Say No?

Joseph

But 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, ¹² that [Mrs. Potiphar] caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he [SAID NO] and left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. Genesis 39.11-12

Background

Joseph, the apple of his father’s eye. The next-to-the-youngest child of Jacob – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – yes, THAT Jacob. Hated by his siblings. A dreamer. Handsome. Virile. Brave. Loved God.

Joseph, thrown into a deep pit by his brothers – sold by his brothers to the Egyptians.

Joseph, in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1.2).

Joseph, in the house of Potiphar [who was an officer of the Pharaoh and captain of the guard], was the lowest of low servants – he washed the feet of visitors to the palace. BUT, he was a man of integrity and moral uprightness…therefore, he was elevated in position until he was in charge of Potiphar’s entire house – the entire household staff was under Joseph’s authority.

…the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s [Potiphar’s] house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Genesis 39.5

Because Joseph was “easy on the eyes” and had a very masculine physique, Mrs. Potiphar set her lustful eyes upon him.

Mrs. Potiphar

We know very little about her except she was the wife of an important man. Most likely attractive – probably bathed in the finest perfumes and oils and overly pampered by her staff of lady’s maids. This is pure speculation but she probably had her choice of young, virile men to bring her physical pleasures because who on earth would say no to her sexual innuendos?

Back To Joseph

Joseph had daily run-in’s with Mrs. Potiphar and she was not shy with her flirtations. Day after day she would say, “Joseph, lie with me.” But he kept refusing. Then, one day Joseph was in the house – no other men were inside working – Mrs. Potiphar grabbed his coat and said, “LIE WITH ME!” But Joseph quickly broke away, saying “NO NO,” she had such a hold on his jacket that it slipped off in Mrs. P’s hands as Joseph ran – he fled outside.

Mrs. Potiphar decided to take her rejection in her own hands and began screaming for the male servants to come to her rescue as she cried rape. She put on a grand show and kept at it when Potiphar returned home. He had no other choice but to place Joseph in the king’s prison.

• Joseph lost his job.
• Joseph lost his identity.
• Joseph was lied about.

Joseph’s “NO” cost him his freedom and put him behind bars. Please read the rest of the story in Genesis 40 through 48, because even in prison Joseph continued to do the right thing and God honored him in all he did.

Susan

“It’s never wrong to do right. It’s always right to do right.”

Early 1980’s I was working for a property manager. My position began as a one-girl office. I loved my job and my employer taught me everything necessary to successfully run a business office – his training was invaluable to me. His business grew and with that came new employees – he made me office manager. We all got along famously and each day at lunchtime the girls and I would meet in the kitchen and eat our lunch together. Honestly, it was a dream job.

The owner got in over his head and because he managed condominium boards of directors, he managed their bank accounts. He formed a landscape company to service these properties and began using their money to pay his workers. Week after week this happened and he began getting in financial straights. I could no longer work under these dishonest shenanigans. I scheduled time with him and gave my notice. Then, I had to gather with my girls and tell them of my decision. We all cried.

• My no put me in a short season of unemployment as a single mom of three.
• My no created hardship for my staff.
• My no ended a friendship.

That “no” turned into one of the best decisions of my entire career although it was very had at that time. Another property manager called me and asked me to work with him for a summer season at a huge complex on Singer Island (FL) and that turned into a great position at The Plaza on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach (FL) and that turned into a cushy position at Trump Plaza working for Donald J. Trump (he was charming and great to work for).

The Hard No

Joseph had a hard no. As a single mom to three, I had a hard no. But both of these no’s turned into phenomenal yeses! Joseph’s “no” determined the lineage of our Savior. My “no”, albeit not so grand or anointed, turned into a fabulous career move!

Who is going to have the courage to say NO?

Our Take-away’s

1. Don’t just sit in the pit – do something.*
2. God always has a plan – even when it looks as though there is no hope.*
3. Sanctify suffering by serving.*
4. Serve in the midst of suffering.*
5. God is with us even when He is silent.*
6. Embrace our circumstances with patience.*
7. Answers delayed don’t mean answers denied.*
8. If we have breath then God is not finished with us.*
9. Character-building takes time.*

*All quotes by Pastor Jerry Madden, head pastor of Praise Cathedral, Greer South Carolina.

Grace & Hope,

xo

P.S. As it often happens this post was inspired at church Sunday morning, Pastor Jerry Madden preaching, his message was titled “The View From The Bottom Floor.”