Because God had a plan! Jacob believed that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Ask: Who can tell me why they were so jealous? He gave him great success. . He was kind to him. She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. (Genesis 39:10) Potiphar's wife, however, was a determined seductress. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. What God does not bless is Potiphars wifes pursuit of Joseph, even though she is much higher in social status than Joseph. Inviting her friends to her home, Zuleikha gave them all oranges and knives to slice them with. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Special thanks to John R. Cross, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, GoodSeed International. Jodi has over 20 years experience teaching children in large and small group settings. The test that Joseph faced was very similar to the temptation that Adam and Eve faced in the Garden of Eden. When you truly live a God-centered life, those around you will be able to tell that you are different (Philippians 2:15). What God does with people and how people react is unpredictable, though. The warden did not concern himself with anything that was in Josephs care because the Lord was with him and whatever he was doing the Lord was making successful. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; Thats what Israel didcausing them to miss Gods blessing in their trial and instead experience his wrath. 39-3: Potiphar did NOT believe his wife's accusation about Joseph By richoka 5 Comments When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39 contains some obvious lessons about fidelity in the face of sexual temptation, and there are also some subtler points to be found about the loyal character of God. This description suggests that Potiphar held a high-ranking position within the Egyptian court, as he was responsible for the safety of Pharaoh and his household. The man who ran the prison didn't pay attention to anything that was in Joseph's care. 32-2: As Jacob faced Esau, so too must we reconcile with our past, 32-1: Jacob meets angels on his departure from and to the Promised Land, 31-5: Jacob and Laban enter into a peace treaty with each other, 31-4: Ideas of ritual impurity were prevalent 500 years before Moses, 31-3: God can and does speak to unbelievers, 31-2: The importance of the family gods in Mesopotamian tradition, 31-1: As Jacob separated from Laban, so must we separate from certain people in our lives, 1S4-9: Minus Gods Presence, The Ark Was Nothing But An Elaborate And Pricey Wooden Box, 1S4-3: The Danger Of Not Cutting Out Ungodly People & Things From Our Lives. The Big Lie Joseph on a daily basis was around Potiphar's wife as he did his business, and he paid no attention to her in any adulterous way. When they dont know the true God, they make up their own idea of what God must be. [3] Simultaneously, however, she abuses her position of power as the slave master's wife to coerce Joseph into sex, and to punish him for refusal. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. And again, Joseph is an important servant, but he isa slave without much clout. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God? Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to have sex with her. But the Torah gives us Joseph's own explanation in his response to his master's wife: "He [Potiphar] wields no more authority in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except yourself, since you are his wife. 1S2-38: Only About Fifty Percent Of The New Testament Is God-Breathed. A former high school English teacher and editor, she works on writing projects from her home in West Michigan, where she enjoys woods, water, pets, and family. How then could I do this most wicked thing and sin before God?" Their jealousy grew and grew until some of them wanted to kill Joseph. Application Question: Why is it so important to flee temptation instead of trying to faithfully endure it? Often Christians compartmentalize their life: certain deceptions are OK, and others are not. Some people make things with their own hands, such as a statue, and worship it (Isaiah 37:19). Indeed, He is my master, who has made good my residence. Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 464). She knew that Joseph would have to come inside in order to do his work. Potiphar's wife is never named in the biblical passagemerely referred to as , "wife of his [Joseph's] master" (vv. Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife: 'Behold, my master, having me, knoweth not what is in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand; he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife. He didnt know how, but Joseph knew that God was going to exalt him, and his family would bow to him. Others might turn away from Christ altogether. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (NLT) Even though Satan is powerful, God is immeasurably more powerful. Also, youll save lots of money! Satan always contradicts Gods will for our lives and tries to convince us that succumbing to temptation is better than following Gods way. He trusted Joseph and he no longer worried about running his home. This narrative of Potiphars wife, her husband, and Joseph is more evidence that God can carry out His plan for us in any situation. This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. 39-4: Five ways Joseph foreshadows Yeshua's life in Genesis 39, 39-3: Potiphar did NOT believe his wife's accusation about Joseph, 39-2: Joseph teaches us to be faithful regardless of circumstances, 39-1: The Pharaoh during Joseph's time was NOT an Egyptian, 38-5: One Hasidic Jew's take on the Tamar & Judah prostitution incident, 38-4: The difference between "Cultic Harlotry" and "Common Prostitution" in the Scriptures, 38-3: Levirate marriage has nothing to do with the Tribe of Levi, 38-1: The importance of Judah to the Messianic Line, 37-6: God used adversity in Joseph's life to prepare him for the future, 37-5: 15 ways Joseph's Life foreshadows Yeshua in Genesis 37, 37-3: The reasons Joseph was so hated by his brothers, 37-2: Divine Providence plays center stage in Joseph's life. Why Did Jesus Give Believers the Beatitudes? (3) Also, in Genesis 40:2-3, it appears that Joseph was imprisoned in a prison that was attached to Potiphars house. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. When the mouse would come out at night looking for food, it would smell the stinky cheese. On the other hand, the future for Potiphars wife does not look promising. So I need to distract it. She lies to her husband, and when he throws Joseph in prison, she probably imagines it will be the end of Josephs life. She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. 35-6: What the ancients believed happened after death, 35-5: Reuben sleeps with his father's concubine in a sly move to gain family power, 35-4: Unearthing God's prophetic statements to Jacob that can ONLY be understood in Hebrew, 35-3: Deborah's death symbolizes Israel's complete severance from Mesopotamia. On the other hand, she 'cast her eyes' upon Joseph and pursued him - planning in her heart to seduce him. If Joseph had been cheating in business matters, such as stealing money from Potiphar or lying about certain things under his care, it would have been a lot easier to have an affair with Mrs. Potiphar. Instead of being bitter and upset, Joseph submitted to God and trusted him in the midst of his trial. Say: Can you imagine worshipping the craft you made with your own hands? It was the place where the king's prisoners were kept. Log in. Application Question: What are some common costs of maintaining our integrity and conquering temptation? Following this incident, her contemporaries no longer mocked her. He gave Joseph success in everything he did. 26. To fight this temptation, Joseph not only refused but also stopped being around her. They dont want to offend or lose someone who is tempting them (or leading them to areas where there is temptation)whether business associates, friends, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even family. When he became successful, undoubtedly, he experienced temptations towards pride and independence from God. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. It says, Pharaoh was enraged with his two officials, the cupbearer and the baker, so he imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard in the same facility where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard was probably still Potiphar. It seems quite likely that Potiphar did not believe his wife. Rightly, Joseph knew that being a boyfriend to another mans wife was a sin against God. The typical punishment for rape/attempted rape was the death penalty. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, Israel, listen to me. Everything that Joseph did prospered. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate" ( Genesis 39:3-6 ). In Genesis 39, we read the Hallmark Channel-worthy story of Potiphars wife making an attempt to seduce Joseph. As a young woman, Potiphars wife rules the isle of Crete, the largest Greek island, with her mother while her father is out at sea. When Joseph was imprisoned based on Mrs. Potiphars accusations, apparently, it was more like Daniel being thrown in the lions den (Daniel 6). And it came to pass on a certain day, when he went into the house to do his work, and there was none of the men of the house there within, that she caught him by his garment, saying: 'Lie with me.' He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Well start to see how God used this terrible situation for good! His goal is to distract you from the only real source of life. Joseph says in Genesis 39:9: No one is greater in this house than I am. Its Satans goal to rob God of the worship that God deserves, because Satan is so jealous of God. What types of disciplines are necessary to protect someone in seasons of promotion and exaltation? However, Potiphar, though Pharaohs chief executioner, gave Joseph a lenient sentenceimprisonment. Eight times Yahweh is mentioned in this chapter. From what I have seen among a few commentaries, there seems to be a concensus among Ramba"n, Ibn Ezra and some others that Potiphar did not believe his wife, completely. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. Here is what we know about her life and what's been speculated about her personalities. Well need to be more disciplined with our time and money. 32-3: Who was the "man" that Jacob wrestled? Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. He blessed everything Potiphar had in his house and field. With that said, Josephs example also teaches a principle about how to go through trials and temptations. This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. Potiphar's Wife KNOWN AS THE "NO-NAME WIFE" OF A BODY GUARD Genesis 39 IMAGINE: Being the rich Egyptian wife of the highest official to Pharaoh; but even so, choosing to set your sites on the well-built and handsome new household slave, only to have this Hebrew foreigner reject your advances. Potiphars wife makes a go of seducing this handsome young servant but is unsuccessful in leading Joseph astray. The Egyptians saw things that God made such as the sun, the moon, and animals, and believed that these amazing things must be gods. She was used to getting her way, and she kept flirting with Joseph. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (2:11-12). Jacob was broken-hearted to lose his favorite son. 40-3: Two similar dreams with two totally different outcomes! It is meant to develop righteousness in us and give us more peace, regardless of our circumstances. 40-1: Was Joseph really kept in a "prison"? Jodi has a passion for Biblical ac More. Here in a cold prison, God continued to use Joseph. When Joseph is taken by slave traders to Egypt, he is purchased by a high official in Pharaohs court named Potiphar. Also, it would be easier for him to stand when other major temptations would come while he oversaw matters in Egypt. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. And thus We reward the doers of good. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Potiphars wife frames Joseph, saying he made improper advances toward her. Teacher: Show the mousetrap. Application: Satan loves to tempt people with what God has forbidden. Joseph was faithful to God and resisted temptation. 2 Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph (p. 24). Satan has many lies for people to choose from, and he doesnt care which one they choose. It is good for us to think deeply about the potential consequencesconsidering how our sins affect ourselves, friends, family, other Christians, and non-believers. He made him his attendant. 28. So he put Joseph in prison. Also, Hebrews 12:5b-7 and 11 says. We have a longing for justice, because we are created in the image of a perfectly just God (Deuteronomy 32:4). This is the very reason many people cant get free from sin; they simply dont see it as bad. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. For Joseph, it was probably initially intimidating working for Potiphar. He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. Imagine how strange this was to Joseph. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus to step outside of Gods perfect will (Matthew 4:1-11). He followed God in everything he did (Genesis 39:8-9). Oh, getting drunk and abusing your wife, thats not your fault! The transfer of Joseph from the house to the adjoining prison would be quietly managed, and then no more need be said about an ugly business. She said, that Hebrew slave you brought to us tried to humiliate me (v. 17). God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. We will all experience temptation, the only question is, How will we respond to it?. In fact, its in those times that God pours out an extra measure of grace on you. Paul understood that true peace could never be achieved without Gods grace. God was intimately involved in every detail of Josephs life. The Lord! Even when things got much worse, the Lord was with him. The Bible does not state that Joseph even tried to defend himself by telling the truth. [3] It could be argued that the woman is trying to assert herself as a person who makes her own choices instead of remaining an object owned by her husband, and invites Joseph to join her in this action which the narrative frames as a 'sin'. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. In what ways, have you, at times, compromised out of fear of the cost? Have you ever been the only one who followed God on your team, or in your class at school? After a while, Potiphars wife noticed Joseph. When Joseph rejects Potiphars wife, she lies and accuses him of attempting to assault her sexually. It implies that Joseph had shown himself trustworthy, and therefore, Potiphar didnt have to worry about anything. Potiphars wifes frustration with seducing Joseph lights up her anger. When I thought that God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against one who loved me so, and sought my good.5. Does that suggest anything about what was going through Potiphar's mind as he threw Joseph in "the prison where the king's prisoners were confined" (v.20)? The narrator said, Soon after these things (v. 7). For example, he may offer you a scientific explanation for something that is against the Bible, or he may lead you to believe that you can run your own life without God. - And it came to pass after these things, - Joseph had by this time been nearly ten years in Potiphar's house (vide Genesis 41:46) - that his master s wife cast her eyes (lasciviously) upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. Because Joseph submitted to God in the test and trusted Gods promises to him, he received Gods blessing. But God was with Joseph in everything he did. Sadly, the good vibes didn't last. It says, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. Adam and Eve did not trust that Gods plan was best for them. This was preparing him to lead all of Egypt. And Pharaohs most important official chose Joseph to be his slave. And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.' First Thessalonians 5:22 says, Stay away from every form of evil. Christ taught that if our eye offends us, to pluck it out, if our hand offends us, to cut it off, and if our foot offends us, to do the same (Matt 5:29-30, Matt 18:8-9). When Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of laughing at or mocking her (39:14, 17), the verb she uses is one that appears ten times in Genesis but only twice elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. God blesses all of Josephs situationsfrom an empty well in Canaan to Potiphars lavish home with his bored, lustful wife to a dark prison cell. God gave Joseph the peace and strength that he needed in prison. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper ( Genesis 39:19-23 ). Also, it would be easier for him to stand when other major temptations would come while he oversaw matters in Egypt. We must do whatever it takes to be holy. God is everywhere. With Joseph in charge, he didn't have to worry about anything except the food he ate. You are his wife. Its the strong who are weak and the weak who are strong. Gods grace can turn any situation around. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon. 32. Consequently, Potiphar's wife would have been a woman of significant . He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More. It would devastate my wife. Knowing right from wrong may not stop us from acting sinfully. Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed." (Nobody promotes a bitter, whiny, solemn person! Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. 4 Swindoll, Charles (1998-12-03). Youre a handsome guy! What is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Say: Joseph didnt know anyone in this new country. He didnt stand a chance in defending himself against Potiphars wife, however. Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? If we are going to conquer temptation, we must especially guard ourselves in times of promotion or success. She used his coat to prove that he had been in the house. He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) Potiphars wife could have learned a lesson from her encounter with Joseph and gained a name and a new character in her future. Its OK to illegally downloadThe product shouldnt cost that much anyway! Its OK to cheat on taxesThe government is taking too much money as it is! When Christians do this, they are preparing themselves to be unfaithful in other areas of their lives. However, Christ says to be angry is morally equivalent to murder (Matt 5:21-22)! I dont see a happy, older woman. All rights reserved. All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added. Joseph flees from her advances, losing his cloak as he escapes her grip on him. The Lord is our God. Potipher's Wife Is Not Joseph's Master. If it means avoiding a certain person or group of people, so be it. He will be beaten and despised, and his reproach will not be wiped away; When considering adultery, Solomon said the consequences last foreverthe reproach will never be wiped away. The Lord was with Joseph. While they engaged in this task, Zuleikha had Joseph walk through the room. Islamic history presents contradicting details, which is common when searching for such ancient historical data, and it all reads a little like a soap opera. 25. This seems so unfair! Joseph refuses, using a word that suggests the decision is difficult. Soon after these things, his masters wife took notice of Joseph and said, Have sex with me. But he refused, saying to his masters wife, Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care. What Makes Makoto Fujimura a Great Christian Artist? It probably means something like "brilliant beauty or lovely." Joseph is also described as "handsome and good-looking," and one day she asks him to go to bed with her. Asenath, her daughter (by adoption, in some accounts) became the wife of Joseph and therefore the wife of Potiphar begot grandchildren (not children) through Joseph. Next week well see another twist in Gods incredible plan for Joseph. They sold Joseph to a very important Egyptian man. From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptians household for Josephs sake. (2) Also, if Joseph were bitter, instead of experiencing Gods blessings as he did, he would have experienced Gods discipline. Potiphars wife may have been attractive, but her interactions with Joseph were not lovely. How do we know this? 37-1: Why isn't Joseph considered a Patriarch? - Genesis 39:8-9. Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! The text says that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned. Joseph refused Potiphar's wife even after multiple advances, day after day. 35-1: How ancient Israel's understanding of God's nature differs from modern believers, 34-4: Jacob fails to exercise proper authority in his home, 34-3: Simeon and Levi avenge the rape of Dinah, 34-2: King Hamor meets Jacob to make amends for his son's crime. How has God used seemingly bad thingslike trials and temptationsfor your good? Let it out! Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28). Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity: How Did the Apostle Paul Die?Who are the Nicolaitans in Revelation?Who Was Deborah in the Bible?Who Was Moses in the Bible? God is working all things for our good and to make us into his Sons image (Rom 8:28-29). But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. How did the Egyptians fall into this trap? Potiphar puts him in charge of his household and entrusts everything into his care. Adam and Eve were tempted in the garden. So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. He knew he was not only sinning against his master, but against God if he yielded to this temptation. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Jesus knows what it feels like to be attacked from the outside by Satan. So . Interpretation Question: Did Potiphar believe his wifes accusations? Gods grace gives you power when Satan tries to tempt you. All rights reserved. When he heard me raise my voice and scream, he left his outer garment beside me and ran outside. So she laid his outer garment beside her until his master came home. In order to cover up for herself, accused of trying to commit . Marriage was not about love and monogamy. This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' Then she made up a big lie about him (John 8:44). What Does the Bible Tell Us about the Prophet Daniel? As we said, some people even believed he was a god. Sin is not the end game of temptationdestruction is. It is very similar with Satan. Ask: Who is the most powerful man in our country? Just the opposite, Joseph was content with all that God had blessed him with. However, the account of Joseph and Potiphar changes when Potiphar's wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. According to the Quran, her name is Zuleika. He was exalted in Potiphars house, and even after he became a prisoner, he was exalted again. Do you think that this situation was out of Gods control? A slave, a Hebrew slave no less, had attempted to violate his wife. Application: You must be aware of Satans traps. Boldly ask for the grace to say NO to sin. There is no one greater in this household than I am. He was in charge of whatever they were doing. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7). When it reached a crescendo he fled youthful lust (2 Timothy 2:22). It is clear that Joseph trusted God and wasnt bitter towards him, which would have hindered Gods blessings. In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: According to the Book of Genesis, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape after he rejected her sexual advances, resulting in his imprisonment. Are you willing to trust what God says about your trialsthat he is using them for good?
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