Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

June 19
Friday


THE TEMPTED
BROTHERS

READ:
Genesis 39:1-12
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How then can I do this
great wickedness, and
sin against God?
__Genesis 39:9
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Two brothers--both far from home--faced similar temptations. One, working away from the family, fell to the schemes of a younger woman. His sin led to embarrassment and family turmoil. The other, separated from loved ones because of family turmoil, resisted the advances of an older woman. His faithfulness led to rescue and renewal for the family.

Who are these brothers? Judah, who fell to the desperate scheme of his neglected daughter-in-law Tamar (Gen. 38). And Joseph, who ran from the arms of Potiphar's wife (Gen. 39). One chapter, an ugly story of irresponsibility and deception; the others, a beautiful chapter of faithfulness.

The stories of Judah and Joseph, presented back-to-back in the midst of "the history of Jacob" (37:2), show us that temptation itself is not the problem. Everybody faces temptation, even Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11), But how do we face temptation? Do we demonstrate that faith in God can shield us from giving in to sin?

Joseph gave us one way of escape: Recognize sin as an affront to God an run from it. Jesus gave another: Answer temptation with truth from God's Word.

Facing temptation? See it as an opportunity to make God and His Word real in your life. Then run! __Dave Branon
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````````````````````````FOR FURTHER STUDY```````````````````

````````To gain insight into how to say no to temptation, check````````
````````out Resisting The Lure: Recognizing The dangers Of``````````
`````````Sexual Temptation at www.discoveryseries.or/q0707````````
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We fall into temptation
when we don't stand against it.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Genesis 39:1-12************

1 Now Joseph had been
taken down to Egypt, And
Potiphar, an officer of
Pharaoh, captain of the
guard, and Egyptian, bought
him for the Ishmaelites
who had taken him down
there.

2 The LORD was with
Joseph, and he was a
successful man; and he was
in the house of his master
the Egyptian.... 4 So
Joseph found favor in his
sight, and served him. Then
he made him overseer of his
house, and all that he had he
put under his authority....

6 ... Now Joseph was
handsome in form and
appearance. 7 and it came
to pass after these things
that his master's wife cast
longing eyes at Joseph, and
she said, "Lie with me."

8 But 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.

9 There is no one greater in
this house than I, nor has he
kept back anything from me
but you, because you are his
wife. How then can I do this
great wickedness, and sin
against God?" 10 So 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.

11 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 she caught him by
his garment, saying, "Lie
with me. But he left his
garment in her hand, and
fled and ran outside.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Joseph found a way to escape when facing temptation (vv.11-12).
God promises the believer: "God is faithful, who will not allow you
to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape" (1 Cor. 10:13). __Dennis Fisher