Day 18: Genesis 39:1-41:46
The script on the Rough Street is to "do to others before they can do it to you!" Repay evil for evil...eye for eye...get even...protect our turf...fight to the death.
The script on God's Street is, "Do to others what you would want them to do to you." Luke 6:31 or “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." Matthew 5:38-39
Joseph was done wrong by his brothers and by Potiphar's wife. Joseph's bothers sold him into slavery and Potiphar's wife accused him of trying to seduce her. In both situations, Joseph spends time in confinement due to the heartless actions of others.
I wonder what kind of script I would use if I experienced slavery and prison due to lies, jealousy and deception? The Rough Street? or God's Street? Sometimes it's hard to make the right choices when others are so bad, hateful or deceiving.
For Joseph, he chose the higher road...the God Street. Never do we read that Joseph was plotting against his brothers or his false accuser.
Because Joseph kept his focus on God, rather than his circumstances, "The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered." Genesis 39:2. Although Joseph went to prison because of a lie, Joseph's moral character never wavered when Potiphar's wife wanted to have an affair with him, Joseph said, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9
We all make choices in life as to how we will respond to people who hurt us or temptation that is placed in front of us. Either we will fight back or run away. May we all drive on God's Street, rather than the Rough Street.
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