Adultery

Genesis 39:6b-7; 9b-10: "Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'come to bed with me!' But he refused (saying) . . . 'how could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?' And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her."

In this passage, we find that Joseph was a man of purity of heart, for he identified that infidelity with another man's wife was (1) a wicked thing and (2) a sin against God directly. The sin of adultery against one's spouse and ultimately God Himself is accomplished because God has instituted the earthly marriage covenant as sacred and a covenant of exclusive devotion to one's marriage partner. God created marriage so that man might tangibly appreciate God's own faithful fidelity with His bride, the Church. When a man or woman enters into an adulterous relationship, he or she treats with contempt the covenantal relationship that helps us appreciate God's character of faithfulness and purity as well as the Church's response in kind.

Joseph has illustrated to us the principle of integrity mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:22: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Because Joseph did not yield to such immoral enticements and because he fled any attempts that came his way, the Lord was with Joseph and blessed him immeasurably.