"Doing the right thing"

Scripture referenced Genesis 39, 45:4-8

In Genesis 39 we see a very interesting chain of events. The story picks up here with Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers to one of Pharaoh’s officers named Potiphar. In Genesis 39:2, we read that God was with Joseph and because of this God elevated him (Joseph) into a position of authority within Potiphar’s house. Joseph was put in charge of everything within Potiphar’s home. This responsibility came with higher visibility as well. So much so, that Potiphar’s wife began eye-balling Joseph and eventually wants him to sleep with her. I think we can all agree, this is NOT the right thing to do and Joseph knew that as well. Potiphar’s wife made attempt after attempt at Joseph (sin is persistent) at which point Joseph took off running away from her; he removed himself from the situation (the right thing to do). So since Joseph did the right thing he lived happily ever after from this point, right? Wrong, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape which in turn caused him to be thrown into prison.

Doing the right thing doesn’t always get the outcome we expect. There was a bigger picture here with Joseph that only God knew (Genesis 45:4-8). Joseph understood this and trusted that God would be faithful as long as he did what he knew was right. How many of us could have had this attitude after being disowned by our family, accused of raping our boss’s wife, and then being tossed into jail? I think I would have really begun to question if God really was in control and take matters into my own hands; we are all guilty of this in some way. We start a new day and vow, “OK, today I will be kind and loving to all I come across,” and then the first time we get cut off in traffic we are ready to use our “tall finger” and tell that bonehead “yeah buddy yup you’re #1 too”, hey I’m guilty of this from time to time as well. We have to consistently do the right (Biblical) thing even if we don’t immediately see right results from it. We have to do the right thing because God’s Word tells us it’s the right thing to do; love God, love others, believe in Jesus, go to church, pray, read the Bible, share the Gospel and eventually God’s plan will be revealed but it may take some time. All we need to do is be consistent in doing the right things and eventually it will all work together for good as Romans 8:28 tells us it will.

Take Care & God Bless,

-E