"But [Joseph] Refused"

Genesis 39:7-9

"And it came to pass...that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, "Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 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?"

I used no direct reference for this drawing, also for my Drawing From Imagination class, but wow did I spend hours looking at hieroglyphics, photos I took from Egypt, and other online photos detailing Egyptian pillars, furniture, and clothing. I did the drawing traditionally, and the value (shading) in Photoshop.

I would like to eventually paint this and use it for the above mentioned Seminary Scripture Mastery reference. What a powerful verse and lesson on resisting temptation!

The amazing thing to me about the scripture is that Joseph was not suddenly "jumped" from behind and his garments ripped off when he ran--just as we are not usually tempted in big ways but little ways first. It was not until several verses--and days--later that she "caught him by his garment," and he left it in her hand, "fled, and got him out." Rather, we learn in verse 10 that, after this initial and less forceful temptation by Potiphar's wife which I have illustrated, she continued to tempt him, "day by day". But (and note the "or" in the next phrase), "he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her or to be with her."

Never in the history of this planet has there been so much temptation to replace love with lust, "secretly" view pornography, and commit other moral transgressions. We would all do well to, as Joseph, "hearken not" to temptation and refrain from such terrible sin. But we be far better if we would follow his example in refusing to even "be with her"--in other words, to avoid the very environment that breeds temptation.

I personally know that the Savior's love and power can overcome Satan, lust, and weakness, even when we are tempted "day by day".