Having Joseph around was wonderful for Potiphar. Thinking of its consequences will help us stand against temptation. The Holy Spirit guides us and gives us the power to make the right moral decisions and honor God. Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. By His grace, God gave Joseph the power to say NO to sin (Titus 2:11-12). Many arent willing to pay the price for being holy. With Joseph in charge, he didn't have to worry about anything except the food he ate. In fact, its in those times that God pours out an extra measure of grace on you. The blessing is on everything Potiphar owns - his fields, his house, his possessions. Egyptian women in the ancient world were especially known for immorality and loose morals (even married women).6 Mrs. Potiphar probably said, There is nothing wrong with this! In short, she has no purpose. E39-2: What was the purpose of the bells attached to the hem of the High Priest's robe? 30. In a fascinating novel on Potiphars wife by Mesu Andrews based on Genesis 39, the author depicts Potiphars wife as the daughter of a king and the wife of a prince. Its OK! This is one of the ways Satan makes evil attractivehe rebrands it, like a great businessman. So he put Joseph in prison. Joseph already has a strong character before Potiphars wife watches him working outside the palace through the gauze curtains of her jasmine-scented chambers. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. In the pagan world, adultery was normal. He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. God gave Joseph the peace and strength that he needed in prison. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:25 NLT). But this wasnt true of Joseph. Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. 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?. The fact that he cast Joseph into a prison that he operated from home (40:3-4) indicates that he really didn't believe her tale. He was humble. No matter where Joseph ends up, he flourishes personally and carries out Gods plan. 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. How they plotted to kill him but sold him to a passing caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt. 4 Swindoll, Charles (1998-12-03). Say: Here is a mouse trap. There is nowhere you can go where God cannot go with you (Psalm 139:7-12). In a story found in the Quran and Ginzbergs book, Zuleika invites her aristocratic friends over to the palace to see her handsome Hebrew slave. We can discern this by two things: (1) If he were bitter about his family, bitter about being enslaved, and mad at God, it would have negatively affected his attitude while working, which would have kept him from being so quickly promoted. The circumstantial evidence seems to point to the fact that Potiphar believed Joseph was righteousthough he had to punish him in some manner. Adam and Eve were tempted in the garden. 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.' The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. When she saw that he had left his outer garment in her hand and had run outside, she called for her household servants and said to them, See, my husband brought in a Hebrew man to us to humiliate us. What Satan means for bad, God is going to use for your good (cf. We must do whatever it takes to be holy. Knowing right from wrong may not stop us from acting sinfully. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Why is this such an important discipline? Adam and Eve could eat freely of every tree - except for one. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. Potiphar's response was predictable. Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. He experienced sexual temptation from his masters wife, which is the major temptation in this narrative. Some dont want to get skipped over for promotion or shunned at their workplace, so they compromise with their peers. Application Question: In what ways does the world and Satan aim to make sin more acceptable and less heinous? 3 Hughes, R. K. (2004). My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. [citation needed], Scholars such as Meir Sternberg (1985) characterise the woman's repetitive behaviour towards Joseph as sexual assault. 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 the Persian king put Daniel in prison, he knew that Daniel was righteous and had been framed by the other administrators; however, he had to obey the law. Its Satans goal to rob God of the worship that God deserves, because Satan is so jealous of God. Potipher's Wife Is Not Joseph's Master. Joseph refused Potiphar's wife even after multiple advances, day after day. It is meant to develop righteousness in us and give us more peace, regardless of our circumstances. According to the Book of Genesis, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape after he rejected her sexual advances, resulting in his imprisonment. With that said, Joseph was willing to pay the cost for maintaining his integrityeven if it meant imprisonment. This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. 28. A few commentators have focused on the issue of who believed her. Titus said this, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 464). When he did, she sprung her trap. Jacob was broken-hearted to lose his favorite son. He was faithful with littlePotiphar's housetherefore, it was easier to stand when tempted by his wife. In this section of Josephs narrative, he experiences major temptations: He was tempted to be upset and bitter at his circumstance of being sold into slavery. In what ways is God calling you to further employ strategic principles to overcome temptation in general or with a specific temptation? All rights reserved. We are called to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (Jam 1:4). What price do you have to pay in order to maintain holiness and conquer temptation? Potiphars wife appears to cut quite a figure in her important husbands life and the life of his steward, the Jewish peoples leader Joseph. It is meant to mature us for our calling, as James said, and thats exactly what God was doing with Joseph. Grabbing hold of his garment, she made her plea one last time: "Lie down with me!" Joseph acted . She was married to a rich man and had class and wealth on her side. It would seem that his judgment should have been swift and brutal if, indeed, Joseph had sexually assaulted her. Distracted by his handsomeness, all the ladies accidentally cut themselves with the knives, drawing blood. Say: As far as we know, Joseph was probably the only believer in the entire nation of Egypt! And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound; and he was there in the prison. Josephs personal integrity was impeccable in all areasnot just when it came to sexual purity. She said, that Hebrew slave you brought to us tried to humiliate me (v. 17). All rights reserved. 32. What can we learn from the account of Potiphars wife? 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. You are his wife. Whats the big deal?!. Israel was tempted in the wilderness. It is very similar with Satan. - Genesis 39:21 a NLT Props: A mousetrap, cheese Background/Review 26. All rights reserved worldwide. He didnt stand a chance in defending himself against Potiphars wife, however. And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?. You will be like God. Similarly, Satan says, Getting drunk will be lots of fun, and it wont hurt anybody! He says, Sex outside of marriage will only make you closer to your mate. Living with your girlfriend only makes sense. If he failed in any way, Potiphar might put him in prison or even worse, execute him. Application Question: What are some other principles that will help us conquer temptation? . - Genesis 39:3-6a. How he ended up a slave in the household of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers. (3) Also, in Genesis 40:2-3, it appears that Joseph was imprisoned in a prison that was attached to Potiphars house. She said Yosef was doing these things to me. 34-1: Dinah, a daughter of Israel, is raped by a Canaanite! In Genesis 39, we read the Hallmark Channel-worthy story of Potiphars wife making an attempt to seduce Joseph. He was afraid of Potiphar and wanted to stay pure before God. Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. It sounds ridiculous, but that is what many people around the world do, even today. 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 ). She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. It says, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. How could I sin against God?" 63 And whilst they were smiting him, Joseph called out with a loud . And thus We reward the doers of good. Genesis 37:36 Now, I'm well aware that Potiphar's wife was discontent, but I don't believe Potiphar was a eunuch (as we normally think of its definition)! If we dont hate it, then it will linger in our lives. Soon after these things, his masters wife took notice of Joseph and said, Have sex with me.. If Potiphar and the status quo look upon his wife as a piece of good-looking livestock, the people in Egypt may not be dismayed at Josephs actions. Eve had to trust God to not succumb to temptation, and its the same for us. A story about Zuleikha is told in Sefer haYashar, where she was mocked by other aristocratic Egyptian ladies, her circle of friends, for being infatuated with a Hebrew slave boy. He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. Its terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed. One of the best ways to do this is by giving thanks in all circumstances (including bad ones) for this is Gods will for our lives (1 Thess 5:18; cf. 3. Potiphar's wife and her interactions with Joseph provide one of the most dramatic stories in the early Old Testament. 23. Do you stand out as different among the ungodly? 2007BibleLessons4Kidz.com All rights reserved worldwide. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. While Andrews novel is a work of fiction, Potiphars wife was very likely a neglected, lonely, and unhappy trophy wife. Promiscuity is natural. Kindle Edition. If they were weaker, willing to flee, they would be more successful. Youre a handsome guy! She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. And women in the city said, "The wife of al-Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. We are called to flee it, like Joseph. Therefore, in order to conquer temptation, we must trust God and what his Word says. In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: Just the opposite, Joseph was content with all that God had blessed him with. - Genesis 39:20b-23. Jodi has a passion for Biblical ac More. The Egyptians had a long list of gods. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. To congregations struggling with persecution, Peter said this: Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. While they engaged in this task, Zuleikha had Joseph walk through the room. He does not have any thoughts of committing adultery with her. She goes by the moniker Potiphars wife, but she does not act like a godly wife, whose virtues are praised in Proverbs 31. Essentially, he taught that we need to be drastic in order to be holy. Its meant to be celebrated! Also, as well see later, Joseph needed to be put in prison in order to eventually interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and be exalted to second in command of Egypt (Gen 41). (1) When it says, he became furious (v. 19), it does not say that he became furious at Joseph. One day she asked him to act like her boyfriend! And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allh! This is the very reason many people cant get free from sin; they simply dont see it as bad. 1S2-38: Only About Fifty Percent Of The New Testament Is God-Breathed. The story of Potiphar's wife . The Bible (Genesis 39:5-20) narrates her treatment of Joseph, slave to her husband Potiphar: And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and, having him, he knew not aught save the bread which he did eat. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. Do you believe that God would go all the way down to a dingy dungeon to be with Joseph? Satan has many lies for people to choose from, and he doesnt care which one they choose. Naturally Potiphar was angered beyond words. He must have been terrified to be around so many people who were so different from him and who didnt know anything about his God. Application Question: In what ways have you seen people change negatively when they gain success or are put into authority positions? We dont want to grieve Gods heart; we dont want to lose his favor and empowerment to serve others. Jodi has over 20 years experience teaching children in large and small group settings. He didnt look at her or even listen to her. He made him accountable for everything that was done there. He defines Gods discipline as hardship. He doesnt even qualify whether the hardship is from the devil, humans, or God himself. God used this humbling circumstance as a boot campmeant to discipline and train Joseph. Having a wife was primarily for providing an heir and overseeing the household. This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. The cost of sin is too much. 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. 29. Unfortunately, Potiphar's wife is also enamored with Joseph. (For the sharpest Bible students only! When people look at the world around them, they can tell that there is a powerful God who created everything (Romans 1:20). The Quran narrates the wife of Azizs treatment of Yusuf as follows: And when he reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. 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. 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. The Hebrew would try to hurt them as well. So it is with the one who has sex with his neighbors wife; no one who touches her will escape punishment A man who commits adultery with a woman lacks wisdom, whoever does it destroys his own life. So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. He blessed everything Potiphar had in his house and field. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon. If I have a mouse on the loose in my house, I want to keep it out of the good supply of food in my kitchen. The Bible does not state that Joseph even tried to defend himself by telling the truth. SNAP! Its the same lie Satan told Eve. Daniel was suddenly the Bible's most eligible bachelor, and he got a fictional wife in Of Fire and Lions. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Its not normal to forbid yourself these basic needs, they say. Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? She called all the servants togetherdeclaring that the Hebrew that Potiphar brought to them came to humiliate them (v. 14). Remember that you are NEVER alone! As Joseph submitted to God in the trial, God was with him to bless and not to discipline. How has God used seemingly bad thingslike trials and temptationsfor your good? 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. Have you ever been the only one who followed God on your team, or in your class at school? When the mouse would come out at night looking for food, it would smell the stinky cheese. Often, they combined things such as a mans body with a hawks head, and worshipped it. She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. Im a great-looking older woman! California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We can only guess what happened to her in the future. According to Liz Higgins Curtis inBad Girls of the Bible, the name Zuleika means fair, brilliant, and lovely in Arabic. Next week well see another twist in Gods incredible plan for Joseph. He makes his lies sound really good. God gave him great leadership skills and other blessings. When Joseph was imprisoned based on Mrs. Potiphars accusations, apparently, it was more like Daniel being thrown in the lions den (Daniel 6). Thats what Israel didcausing them to miss Gods blessing in their trial and instead experience his wrath. Joseph lived in Potiphar's house. It is also clear that Joseph was overseeing all the prisoners under the warden (Gen 39:22), not just Pharaohs special prisoners. He was kind to him. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. Even while in prison, Joseph continues to rise to prominence. Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 56:5), Photo Credit:Getty Images/BibleArtLibrary. Joseph, we remember, is the future leader and current visionary of the Jewish people in bondage in Egypt. Gods grace can turn any situation around. 1. p. 392, ed. Josephs master took him and threw him into the prison, the place where the kings prisoners were confined. How has God called you to at times pay a price for following God? 34. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he firmly refused; and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased." Spurgeon said this: When I regarded God as a tyrant, I thought sin a trifle; but when I knew him to be my father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against him. 40-5: Six ways Joseph's life foreshadows Yeshua in Genesis 40. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. Obviously, Potiphars wife wasnt used to being rejected and wouldnt take no for an answer. Ask: How many of you made a craft today? Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. 27-4: Who are the descendants of Esau today? 2 Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph (p. 24). Remember that Satans lies are nothing more than stinky cheese! The typical punishment for rape/attempted rape was the death penalty. I imagine bags forming under her flashing eyes from sleep-challenged nights thinking over her actions with Joseph. The Bible says, They traded the truth about God for a lie. "There are several important morals to the story of Joseph, and many types for our day. Even though Joseph had to suffer a cost for being holybeing put in prisonGod was with him in the prison and blessed him. All rights reserved. That would suppress who you really are! 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. He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) [1][2], Rashi comments that the wife of Potiphar saw through astrology that she would have children through Joseph. It can no longer get to the real food supply, and I can do whatever I want with the mouse. It is clear that Joseph trusted God and wasnt bitter towards him, which would have hindered Gods blessings. 27. Gods grace gives you strength, peace, and even joy, in any situation (Romans 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:9). Say: God did NOT abandon Joseph! Kindle Edition. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), The Bible Teachers Guide, Joseph: Trusting In Gods Sovereignty And Goodness, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Submit to Gods Discipline Instead of Becoming Bitter at It, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Practice Integrity in All Areas of Life, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Especially Guard Ourselves in Times of Success, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Seriously Consider the Consequences, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Recognize How Evil Sin Is, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Avoid It Persistently, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Be Willing to Pay the Cost, To Conquer Temptation, We Must Trust that Gods Plans Are Better. She said, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. (2) Also, if Joseph were bitter, instead of experiencing Gods blessings as he did, he would have experienced Gods discipline. It is unfair that Joseph did the right thing, yet he was sent to prison! Her husband believes her. Considering the consequences of our sin is a wise practice. Say: Joseph went from being the favorite son to becoming a SLAVE! It seems quite likely that Potiphar did not believe his wife. 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. This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel." So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. 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. For some, this reality might not mean much, but the more we get to know God and his grace, the more sinning against him will deter us. How is your integrity? She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." Verse 10 in the NIV says, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Whenever Joseph saw Mrs. Potiphar, he simply went the other direction.
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