He Left His Garment…and Fled

Genesis 39:12, “And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”

Joseph was such a righteous man that really had it tough at times in his life. He was sold by his brothers while just following his father’s orders. He became a slave in the house of Potiphar. He was a very respected man, but Potiphar’s wife was up to something. She wanted Joseph to lie with her. Not only did Joseph refuse, but he fled the place where they were out. Although he was far away from home and no one would have known that he did wrong, Joseph chose to do right. Genesis 39:9 says, “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Joseph loved God. His love for God fueled him to live righteously. When Joseph saw wrong, he didn’t just refuse. He ran away from the wrong. He avoided temptation at all costs. Though Joseph did nothing wrong, he got thrown in prison. It didn’t phase him though. The Lord continued to be with him. God blessed Joseph’s righteousness and his obedience. Would Joseph had risen to second in command in Egypt had he given in to Potiphar’s wife? Probably not. He probably would have been thrown in prison to stay. No matter the opposition, Joseph continued to do what is right.

Let us strive today to live righteously. Let us not only say no temptation, but let us also flee from temptation.