Command 34: Be a Servant
Study Question
Q: How did Joseph overcome the same temptation that defeated Samson, David, and Solomon?
A: Among the men listed in God’s “Hall of Fame” are Samson, David, Solomon and Joseph (see Hebrews 11). Three of these men failed morally and suffered greatly from the consequences of their sin, but Joseph did not succumb to temptation. What made the difference?
Samson had the heart of a strong man and began to rely on his strength to get out of trouble instead of relying on the Lord. David had the heart of a shepherd and, while there are many admirable qualities in a shepherd, he began to focus on his own needs instead of the needs of the flock. Solomon had the heart of a leader, but he became over-confident and began to lean on his own reasoning to decide between right and wrong.
Joseph, however, remained pure even though he was severely tempted and could have used numerous excuses to justify immorality. He suffered rejection by his brothers, was taken away from Godly parents, was sold as a slave, was brought to a heathen country and surrounded by worldly influences, and was relentlessly pursued by a scheming woman.
Nevertheless, Joseph accepted his circumstances as being from the Lord and put his whole heart into serving his master. God’s hand of blessing was upon him, and therefore, all that Joseph did prospered. As a result, more and more authority was entrusted to him. Eventually, Egypt and many surrounding nations, including the fledgling nation of Israel, were saved from a devastating famine because Joseph had the heart of a servant. He viewed his responsibilities as a sacred trust from both his master and the God Whom he served.
When his master’s wife tempted him to sin with her, Joseph’s immediate response was to recognize how this sin would ruin his profitability, which is the key factor of being an effective servant. Therefore, Joseph said to her, “… Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house [has no concerns], and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand … . How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8–9).
We will never understand or experience the true nature of greatness until we know what it means to be a servant of the Lord and to have a servant’s heart toward others. We should strive to serve in such a way that we will one day hear these words from our heavenly Father: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (See Matthew 25:21, 23.)
This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 5, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.