To follow in Adam's footsteps, or not
At my church we have a ‘questions or comments’ section after the sermon each week. I am not often compelled to contribute, but last night, after looking around and seeing no other hands raised, I decided to make a comment.
We are doing a series in Genesis on the story of Joseph, and last night the preacher was emphasising Genesis 39 verse 9, where in resisting the advances of Potiphar's wife, Joseph says:
9 "No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
It just suddenly struck me in focusing on this verse how that contrasts with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eve. In the garden God says (chapter 2:16-17), ‘you are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from this one’ and Adam and Eve fell for the temptation and had to have it. In comparison Joseph says ‘my master has withheld nothing from me except this one thing’ so how could I so such a wicked thing and sin against God? And it was an encouragement to me that he could resist.
I know the fall was probably inevitable, and we’re all sons and daughters of Adam, and I was not trying to imply that Joseph in any way reversed or restored the fall. But it is encouraging to know that we don’t have to walk in Adam’s footsteps, and can resist and choose not to, so help us God.