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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XXXIX].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC01038.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC01040.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<A NAME="Page220"> </A>
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>G E N E S I S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXXIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him
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here,
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I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:1">ver. 1</A>),
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and yet
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there greatly honoured and favoured,
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1. By the providence of God,
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which made him, in effect, a master,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:2-6">ver. 2-6</A>.
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2. By the grace of
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God, which made him more than a conqueror over a strong temptation
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to uncleanness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:7-12">ver. 7-12</A>.
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II. We have him here a sufferer,
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falsely accused
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:13-18">ver. 13-18</A>),
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imprisoned
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:19,20">ver. 19, 20</A>),
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and yet his imprisonment made both honourable and comfortable by
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the tokens of God's special presence with him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:21-23">ver. 21-23</A>.
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And herein Joseph was a type of Christ, "who took upon him
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the form of a servant," and yet then did that which made it
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evident that "God was with him," who was tempted by Satan,
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but overcame the temptation, who was falsely accused and bound,
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and yet had all things committed to his hand.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ge39_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The History of Joseph.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1721.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Joseph was brought down
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to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer
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of Pharaoh, captain of the guard,
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an Egyptian, bought him of the hands
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of the Ishmeelites, which had brought
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him down thither.
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2 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous
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man; and he was in the house
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of his master the Egyptian.
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3 And
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his master saw that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>was</I>
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with him, and that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> made all
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that he did to prosper in his hand.
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4 And Joseph found grace in his sight,
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and he served him: and he made him
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overseer over his house, and all <I>that</I>
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he had he put into his hand.
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5 And
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it came to pass from the time <I>that</I> he
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had made him overseer in his house,
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and over all that he had, that the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> blessed the Egyptian's house
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for Joseph's sake; and the blessing
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of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was upon all that he had
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in the house, and in the field.
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6 And
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he left all that he had in Joseph's
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hand; and he knew not ought he had,
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save the bread which he did eat. And
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Joseph was <I>a</I> goodly <I>person,</I> and well
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favoured.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. Joseph bought
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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and he
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that bought him, whatever he gave for him,
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had a good bargain of him; it was better
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than the merchandise of silver. The Jews
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have a proverb, "If the world did not know
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the worth of good men, they would hedge
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them about with pearls." He was sold to
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an officer of Pharaoh, with whom he might
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get acquainted with public persons and public
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business, and so be fitted for the preferment
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for which he was designed. Note, 1. What
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<A NAME="Page221"> </A>
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God intends men for he will be sure, some
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way or other, to qualify them for.
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2. Providence
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is to be acknowledged in the disposal
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even of poor servants and in their settlements,
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and therein may perhaps be working towards
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something great and important.</P>
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<P>
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II. Joseph blessed, wonderfully blessed,
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even in the house of his servitude.</P>
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<P>
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1. God prospered him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
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Perhaps
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the affairs of Potiphar's family had remarkably
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gone backward before; but, upon Joseph's
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coming into it, a discernible turn was given
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to them, and the face and posture of them
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altered on a sudden. Though, at first, we
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may suppose that his hand was put to the
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meanest services, even in those appeared his
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ingenuity and industry; a particular blessing
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of Heaven attended him, which, as he rose
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in his employment, became more and more
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discernible. Note,
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(1.) Those that have wisdom
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and grace have that which cannot be
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taken away from them, whatever else they
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are robbed of. Joseph's brethren had stripped
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him of his coat of many colours, but they
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could not strip him of his virtue and prudence.
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(2.) Those that can separate us
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from all our friends, yet cannot deprive
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us of the gracious presence of our God.
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When Joseph had none of all his relations
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with him, he had his God with him, even in
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the house of the Egyptian. Joseph was
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separated from his brethren, but not from
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his God; banished from his father's house,
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but <I>the Lord was with him,</I> and this comforted
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him.
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(3.) It is God's presence with
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us that makes all we do prosperous. Those
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that would prosper must therefore make
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God their friend; and those that do prosper
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must therefore give God the praise.</P>
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<P>
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2. His master preferred him, by degrees
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made him steward of his household,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Note,
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(1.) Industry and honesty are the
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surest and safest way both of rising and
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thriving: <I>Seest thou a man</I> prudent, and
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faithful, and <I>diligent in his business? He shall
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stand before kings</I> at length, and not always
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<I>before mean men.</I>
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(2.) It is the wisdom of
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those that are in any sort of authority to
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countenance and employ those with whom
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it appears that the presence of God is,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+101:6">Ps. ci. 6</A>.
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Potiphar knew what he did when he
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put all into the hands of Joseph; for he
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knew it would prosper better there than in
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his own hand.
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(3.) He that is faithful in a
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few things stand fair for being made ruler
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over many things,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:21">Matt. xxv. 21</A>.
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Christ goes by this rule with his servants.
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(4.) It
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is a great ease to a master to have those employed
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under him that are trusty. Potiphar
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was so well satisfied with Joseph's conduct
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that <I>he knew not aught he had, save the bread
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which he did eat,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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The servant had all
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the care and trouble of the estate; the master
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had only the enjoyment of it: an example
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not to be imitated by any master, unless he
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could be sure that he had one in all respects
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like Joseph for a servant.</P>
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<P>
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3. God favoured his master for his sake
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>He blessed the Egyptian's house,</I>
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though he was an Egyptian, a stranger to
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the true God, <I>for Joseph's sake;</I> and he himself,
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like Laban, soon learned it by experience,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+30:27"><I>ch.</I> xxx. 27</A>.
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Note,
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(1.) Good men
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are the blessings of the places where they
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live; even good servants may be so, though
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mean, and lightly esteemed.
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(2.) The prosperity
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of the wicked is, one way or other,
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for the sake of the godly. Here was a
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wicked family blessed for the sake of one
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good servant in it.</P>
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<A NAME="Ge39_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge39_12"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 And it came to pass after these
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things, that his master's wife cast her
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eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie
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with me.
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8 But he refused, and said
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unto his master's wife, Behold, my
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master wotteth not what <I>is</I> with me
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in the house, and he hath committed
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all that he hath to my hand;
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9 <I>There
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is</I> none greater in this house than I;
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neither hath he kept back any thing
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from me but thee, because thou <I>art</I>
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his wife: how then can I do this great
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wickedness, and sin against God?
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10 And it came to pass, as she spake to
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Joseph day by day, that he hearkened
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not unto her, to lie by her, <I>or</I> to be
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with her.
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11 And it came to pass
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about this time, that <I>Joseph</I> went into
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the house to do his business; and
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<I>there was</I> none of the men of the house
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there within.
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12 And she caught
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him by his garment, saying, Lie with
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me: and he left his garment in her
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hand, and fled, and got him out.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. A most shameful instance of impudence
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and immodesty in Joseph's mistress,
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the shame and scandal of her sex, perfectly
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lost to all virtue and honour, and not to be
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mentioned, nor thought of, without the utmost
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indignation. It was well that she was
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an Egyptian; for we must have shared in
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the confusion if such folly had been found
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in Israel. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. Her sin began in the eye: She <I>cast her
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eyes upon Joseph</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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who <I>was a goodly
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person, and well-favoured,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Note,
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(1.) Remarkable beauty, either of men or women,
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often proves a dangerous snare both to themselves
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and others, which forbids pride in it
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and commands constant watchfulness against
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the temptation that attends it; favour is
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deceitful--deceiving.
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(2.) We have great
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need to make a covenant with our eyes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:1">Job xxxi. 1</A>),
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lest the eye infect the heart.
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Joseph's mistress had a husband that ought
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to have been to her for a covering of the
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eyes from all others,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+20:16"><I>ch.</I> xx. 16</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. She was daring and shameless in the
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<A NAME="Page222"> </A>
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sin. With an impudent face, and a harlot's
|
||
|
|
forehead, she said, <I>Lie with me,</I> having
|
||
|
|
already, by her wanton looks and unchaste
|
||
|
|
desires, committed adultery with him in her
|
||
|
|
heart. Note, Where the unclean spirit gets
|
||
|
|
possession and dominion in a soul, it is as
|
||
|
|
with the possessed of the devils
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+7:27,29">Luke viii. 27, 29</A>),
|
||
|
|
the clothes of modesty are thrown
|
||
|
|
off and the bands and fetters of shame are
|
||
|
|
broken in pieces. When lust has got head,
|
||
|
|
it will stick at nothing, blush at nothing;
|
||
|
|
decency, and reputation, and conscience, are
|
||
|
|
all sacrificed to that Baal-peor.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. She was
|
||
|
|
urgent and violent in the temptation. Often
|
||
|
|
she had been denied with the strongest
|
||
|
|
reasons, and yet as often renewed her vile
|
||
|
|
solicitations. She <I>spoke to him day by day,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
Now this was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Great wickedness
|
||
|
|
in her, and showed her heart fully set to do
|
||
|
|
evil.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) A great temptation to Joseph.
|
||
|
|
The hand of Satan, no doubt, was in it, who,
|
||
|
|
when he found he could not overcome him
|
||
|
|
with troubles and the frowns of the world
|
||
|
|
(for in them he still held fast his integrity),
|
||
|
|
assaulted him with soft and charming pleasures,
|
||
|
|
which have ruined more than the
|
||
|
|
former, and have slain their ten-thousands.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Here is a most illustrious instance of
|
||
|
|
virtue and resolved chastity in Joseph, who,
|
||
|
|
by the grace of God, was enabled to resist
|
||
|
|
and overcome this temptation; and, all
|
||
|
|
things considered, his escape was, for aught
|
||
|
|
I know, as great an instance of the divine
|
||
|
|
power as the deliverance of the three children
|
||
|
|
out of the fiery furnace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The temptation he was assaulted with
|
||
|
|
was very strong. Never was a more violent
|
||
|
|
onset made upon the fort of chastity than
|
||
|
|
this recorded here.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The sin he was
|
||
|
|
tempted to was uncleanness, which considering
|
||
|
|
his youth, his beauty, his single state,
|
||
|
|
and his plentiful living at the table of a ruler,
|
||
|
|
was a sin which, one would think, might
|
||
|
|
most easily beset him and betray him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The tempter was his mistress, a person of
|
||
|
|
quality, whom it was his place to obey and
|
||
|
|
his interest to oblige, whose favour would
|
||
|
|
contribute more than any thing to his preferment,
|
||
|
|
and by whose means he might
|
||
|
|
arrive at the highest honours of the court.
|
||
|
|
On the other hand, it was at his utmost peril
|
||
|
|
if he slighted her, and made her his enemy.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Opportunity makes a thief, makes an
|
||
|
|
adulterer, and that favoured the temptation.
|
||
|
|
The tempter was in the house with him; his
|
||
|
|
business led him to be, without any suspicion,
|
||
|
|
where she was; none of the family were
|
||
|
|
within
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
there appeared no danger of
|
||
|
|
its being ever discovered, or, if it should be
|
||
|
|
suspected, his mistress would protect him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) To all this was added importunity,
|
||
|
|
frequent constant importunity, to such a degree
|
||
|
|
that, at last, she laid violent hands on him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His resistance of the temptation was
|
||
|
|
very brave, and the victory truly honourable.
|
||
|
|
The almighty grace of God enabled him to
|
||
|
|
overcome this assault of the enemy,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) By strength of reason; and wherever
|
||
|
|
right reason may be heard, religion no
|
||
|
|
doubt will carry the day. He argues from
|
||
|
|
the respect he owed both to God and his
|
||
|
|
master,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He would not wrong
|
||
|
|
his master, nor do such an irreparable injury
|
||
|
|
to his honour. He considers, and urges,
|
||
|
|
how kind his master had been to him, what
|
||
|
|
a confidence he had reposed in him, in how
|
||
|
|
many instances he had befriended him, for
|
||
|
|
which he abhorred the thought of making
|
||
|
|
such an ungrateful return. Note, We are
|
||
|
|
bound in honour, as well as justice and
|
||
|
|
gratitude, not in any thing to injure those
|
||
|
|
that have a good opinion of us and place a
|
||
|
|
trust in us, how secretly soever it may be
|
||
|
|
done. See how he argues
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
||
|
|
"<I>There
|
||
|
|
is none greater in this house than I,</I> therefore
|
||
|
|
I will not do it." Note, Those that are
|
||
|
|
great, instead of being proud of their greatness,
|
||
|
|
should use it as an argument against
|
||
|
|
sin. "Is none greater than I? Then I will
|
||
|
|
scorn to do a wicked thing; it is below me
|
||
|
|
to serve a base lust; I will not disparage
|
||
|
|
myself so much."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He would not offend
|
||
|
|
his God. This is the chief argument with
|
||
|
|
which he strengthens his aversion to the
|
||
|
|
sin. <I>How can I do this?</I> not only, How shall
|
||
|
|
I? or, How dare I? but, <I>How can I? Id possumus,
|
||
|
|
quod jure possumus--We can do that
|
||
|
|
which we can do lawfully.</I> It is good to shut
|
||
|
|
out sin with the strongest bar, even that of
|
||
|
|
an impossibility. He that is born of God
|
||
|
|
cannot sin,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:9">1 John iii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
Three arguments
|
||
|
|
Joseph urges upon himself. <I>First,</I> He considers
|
||
|
|
who he was that was tempted. "<I>I;</I>
|
||
|
|
others may perhaps take their liberty, but <I>I</I>
|
||
|
|
cannot. <I>I</I> that am an Israelite in covenant
|
||
|
|
with God, that profess religion, and relation
|
||
|
|
to him: it is next to impossible for me to do
|
||
|
|
so." <I>Secondly,</I> What the sin was to which
|
||
|
|
he was tempted: <I>This great wickedness.</I>
|
||
|
|
Others might look upon it as a small matter,
|
||
|
|
a peccadillo, a trick of youth; but Joseph
|
||
|
|
had another idea of it. In general, when at
|
||
|
|
any time we are tempted to sin, we must consider
|
||
|
|
the great wickedness there is in it, let
|
||
|
|
sin appear sin
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:13">Rom. vii. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
call it by its
|
||
|
|
own name, and never go about to lessen it.
|
||
|
|
Particularly let the sin of uncleanness always
|
||
|
|
be looked upon as great wickedness, as an
|
||
|
|
exceedingly sinful sin, that wars against
|
||
|
|
the soul as much as any other. <I>Thirdly,</I>
|
||
|
|
Against whom he was tempted to sin--<I>against
|
||
|
|
God;</I> not only, "How shall I do it, and sin
|
||
|
|
against my master, my mistress, myself, my
|
||
|
|
own body and soul; but against God?"
|
||
|
|
Note, Gracious souls look upon this as the
|
||
|
|
worst thing in sin that it is against God,
|
||
|
|
against his nature and his dominion, against
|
||
|
|
his love and his design. Those that love
|
||
|
|
God do for this reason hate sin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) By stedfastness of resolution. The
|
||
|
|
grace of God enabled him to overcome the
|
||
|
|
temptation by avoiding the tempter.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He <I>hearkened not to her,</I> so much as to be
|
||
|
|
with her,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
Note, Those that would be
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Page223"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
kept from harm must keep themselves out of
|
||
|
|
harm's way. <I>Avoid it, pass not by it.</I> Nay,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] When she laid hold of him, he <I>left his garment
|
||
|
|
in her hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
He would not stay so
|
||
|
|
much as to parley with the temptation, but
|
||
|
|
flew out from it with the utmost abhorrence;
|
||
|
|
he left his garment, as one escaping for his
|
||
|
|
life. Note, It is better to lose a good coat
|
||
|
|
than a good conscience.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 And it came to pass, when she
|
||
|
|
saw that he had left his garment in her
|
||
|
|
hand, and was fled forth,
|
||
|
|
14 That she
|
||
|
|
called unto the men of her house, and
|
||
|
|
spake unto them, saying, See, he hath
|
||
|
|
brought in an Hebrew unto us to
|
||
|
|
mock us; he came in unto me to lie
|
||
|
|
with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
|
||
|
|
15 And it came to pass, when he heard
|
||
|
|
that I lifted up my voice and cried,
|
||
|
|
that he left his garment with me, and
|
||
|
|
fled, and got him out.
|
||
|
|
16 And she
|
||
|
|
laid up his garment by her, until his
|
||
|
|
lord came home.
|
||
|
|
17 And she spake
|
||
|
|
unto him according to these words,
|
||
|
|
saying, The Hebrew servant, which
|
||
|
|
thou hast brought unto us, came in
|
||
|
|
unto me to mock me:
|
||
|
|
18 And it came
|
||
|
|
to pass, as I lifted up my voice and
|
||
|
|
cried, that he left his garment with
|
||
|
|
me, and fled out.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to
|
||
|
|
make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent
|
||
|
|
him as one; so to be revenged on
|
||
|
|
him for his virtue. Now was her love turned
|
||
|
|
into the utmost rage and malice, and she
|
||
|
|
pretends she cannot endure the sight of him
|
||
|
|
whom awhile ago she could not endure out
|
||
|
|
of her sight. Chaste and holy love will
|
||
|
|
continue, though slighted; but sinful love,
|
||
|
|
like Amnon's to Tamar, is easily changed
|
||
|
|
into sinful hatred.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. She accused him to
|
||
|
|
his fellow servants
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:13-15"><I>v.</I> 13-15</A>)
|
||
|
|
and gave him
|
||
|
|
a bad name among them. Probably they
|
||
|
|
envied him his interest in their master's
|
||
|
|
favour, and his authority in the house; and
|
||
|
|
perhaps found themselves aggrieved sometimes
|
||
|
|
by his fidelity, which prevented their
|
||
|
|
purloining; and therefore they were glad to
|
||
|
|
hear any thing that might tend to his disgrace,
|
||
|
|
and, if there was room for it, incensed
|
||
|
|
their mistress yet more against him. Observe,
|
||
|
|
When she speaks of her husband, she
|
||
|
|
does not call him her husband, or her lord,
|
||
|
|
but only <I>he;</I> for she had forgotten the covenant
|
||
|
|
of her God, that was between them.
|
||
|
|
Thus the adulteress
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+7:19">Prov. vii. 19</A>)
|
||
|
|
calls her
|
||
|
|
husband <I>the good man.</I> Note, Innocence
|
||
|
|
itself cannot secure a man's reputation. Not
|
||
|
|
every one that keeps a good conscience can
|
||
|
|
keep a good name.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. She accused him to
|
||
|
|
his master, who had power in his hand to
|
||
|
|
punish him, which his fellow servants had
|
||
|
|
not,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What an improbable
|
||
|
|
story she tells, producing his garment
|
||
|
|
as an evidence that he had offered
|
||
|
|
violence to her, which was a plain indication
|
||
|
|
that she had offered violence to him. Note,
|
||
|
|
Those that have broken the bonds of modesty
|
||
|
|
will never be held by the bonds of truth. No
|
||
|
|
marvel that she who had impudence enough
|
||
|
|
to say, <I>Lie with me,</I> had front enough to say,
|
||
|
|
"He would have lien with me." Had the
|
||
|
|
lie been told to conceal her own crime it
|
||
|
|
would have been bad enough, yet, in some
|
||
|
|
degree, excusable; but it was told to be revenged
|
||
|
|
upon his virtue, a most malicious
|
||
|
|
lie. And yet,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) She manages it so as to
|
||
|
|
incense her husband against him, reflecting
|
||
|
|
upon him for bringing this Hebrew servant
|
||
|
|
among them, perhaps at first against her
|
||
|
|
mind, because he was a Hebrew. Note, It
|
||
|
|
is no new thing for the best of men to be
|
||
|
|
falsely accused of the worst of crimes by
|
||
|
|
those who themselves are the worst of
|
||
|
|
criminals. As this matter was represented,
|
||
|
|
one would have thought chaste Joseph a
|
||
|
|
very bad man and his wanton mistress a
|
||
|
|
virtuous woman; it is well that there is a
|
||
|
|
day of discovery coming, in which all shall
|
||
|
|
appear in their true characters. This was
|
||
|
|
not the first time that Joseph's coat was
|
||
|
|
made use of as a false witness concerning
|
||
|
|
him; his father had been deceived by it
|
||
|
|
before, now his master.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge39_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 And it came to pass, when his
|
||
|
|
master heard the words of his wife,
|
||
|
|
which she spake unto him, saying, After
|
||
|
|
this manner did thy servant to me;
|
||
|
|
that his wrath was kindled.
|
||
|
|
20 And
|
||
|
|
Joseph's master took him, and put
|
||
|
|
him into the prison, a place where the
|
||
|
|
king's prisoners <I>were</I> bound: and he
|
||
|
|
was there in the prison.
|
||
|
|
21 But the
|
||
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was with Joseph, and showed
|
||
|
|
him mercy, and gave him favour in
|
||
|
|
the sight of the keeper of the prison.
|
||
|
|
22 And the keeper of the prison committed
|
||
|
|
to Joseph's hand all the prisoners
|
||
|
|
that <I>were</I> in the prison; and
|
||
|
|
whatsoever they did there, he was the
|
||
|
|
doer <I>of it.</I>
|
||
|
|
23 The keeper of the
|
||
|
|
prison looked not to any thing <I>that
|
||
|
|
was</I> under his hand; because the
|
||
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was with him, and <I>that</I> which
|
||
|
|
he did, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> made <I>it</I> to prosper.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Joseph wronged by his master.
|
||
|
|
He believed the accusation, and either Joseph
|
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durst not make his defence by telling the
|
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truth, as it would reflect too much upon his
|
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mistress, or his master would not hear it, or
|
||
|
|
would not believe it, and there is no remedy,
|
||
|
|
he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>.
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God restrained his wrath, else he
|
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had put him to death; and that wrath which
|
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<A NAME="Page224"> </A>
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imprisoned him God made to turn to his
|
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|
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praise, in order to which Providence so disposed
|
||
|
|
that he should be shut up among the
|
||
|
|
king's prisoners, the state-prisoners. Potiphar,
|
||
|
|
it is likely, chose that prison because
|
||
|
|
it was the worst; for there the iron entered
|
||
|
|
into the soul
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+105:18">Ps. cv. 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
but God designed
|
||
|
|
to pave the way to his enlargement. He was
|
||
|
|
committed to the king's prison, that he might
|
||
|
|
thence be preferred to the king's person.
|
||
|
|
Note, Many an action of false imprisonment
|
||
|
|
will, in the great day, be found to lie against
|
||
|
|
the enemies and persecutors of God's people.
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus, like Joseph here, was bound,
|
||
|
|
and numbered with the transgressors.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Joseph
|
||
|
|
owned and righted by his God, who is,
|
||
|
|
and will be, the just and powerful patron of oppressed
|
||
|
|
innocence. Joseph was at a distance
|
||
|
|
from all his friends and relations, had not them
|
||
|
|
with him to comfort him, or to minister to him,
|
||
|
|
or to mediate for him; but <I>the Lord was with
|
||
|
|
Joseph, and showed him mercy,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) God despises not his prisoners,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+69:33">Ps. lxix. 33</A>.
|
||
|
|
No gates nor bars can shut out his
|
||
|
|
gracious presence from his people; for he
|
||
|
|
has promised that he will never leave them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Those that have a good conscience in a
|
||
|
|
prison have a good God there. Integrity
|
||
|
|
and uprightness qualify us for the divine
|
||
|
|
favour, wherever we are. Joseph is not long
|
||
|
|
a prisoner before he becomes a little ruler
|
||
|
|
even in the prison, which is to be attributed,
|
||
|
|
under God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] To the keeper's favour. God
|
||
|
|
<I>gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of
|
||
|
|
the prison.</I> Note, God can raise up friends
|
||
|
|
for his people even where they little expect
|
||
|
|
to find them, and can <I>make them to be pitied</I>
|
||
|
|
even of those that carry them captive,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:46">Ps. cvi. 46</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] To Joseph's fitness for business.
|
||
|
|
The keeper saw that God was with
|
||
|
|
him, and that every thing prospered under
|
||
|
|
his hand; and therefore entrusted him with
|
||
|
|
the management of the affairs of the prison,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+39:22,23"><I>v.</I> 22, 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
Note, Wisdom and virtue will
|
||
|
|
shine in the narrowest spheres. A good man
|
||
|
|
will do good wherever he is, and will be a
|
||
|
|
blessing even in bonds and banishment; for
|
||
|
|
the Spirit of the Lord is not bound nor
|
||
|
|
banished, witness St. Paul,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:12,13">Phil. i. 12, 13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
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