Often, they combined things such as a mans body with a hawks head, and worshipped it. It would devastate my wife. Do you think Joseph will be all alone this time? She grabbed him by his outer garment, saying, Have sex with me! But he left his outer garment in her hand and ran outside, No matter, who we are or where were from, we will encounter temptations. -Genesis 39:19 So we're told that Potiphar's wife fell in lust with Joseph. And thus We reward the doers of good. Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! [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. We call this omni-present. His entire life, he only worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Sin drastically affects us and others around us. God was enabling him to be strong and wise. We must remember that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). First Corinthians 10:13 implies that we all will experience temptation and, at the same time, be provided a way of escape. 1. Genesis 39 Overview, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 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. This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. What Can Christians Learn From John Donne? This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. I dont see a happy, older woman. However, the account of Joseph and Potiphar changes when Potiphar's wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. One day he went into the house to do his work when none of the household servants were there in the house. 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. He learned the Egyptian language and customs. Its a very basic principle, which the New Testament teaches as well: The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much (Lk 16:10). 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. As we said, none of the people around Joseph followed the Lord. Application Question: Why is it important to see God as sovereign over trials and temptations in order to be faithful in them (cf. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. 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. Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? They were having relations. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. In short, she has no purpose. For this, he insists, it is true of any person's deep love for another. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. The astrological calculations however were slightly off. Application: Satan loves to tempt people with what God has forbidden. For Joseph, it was probably initially intimidating working for Potiphar. She mentions that Dr. Grove defended himself against attempted rape charges through the Potiphar vignette. Before you know it, (Carefully, SNAP the trap.) She was married to a rich man and had class and wealth on her side. God used this humbling circumstance as a boot campmeant to discipline and train Joseph. The LORD was with Joseph. What Satan means for bad, God is going to use for your good (cf. He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. - 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. There is no one greater in this household than I am. Josephs personal integrity was impeccable in all areasnot just when it came to sexual purity. Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. - Genesis 39:3-6a. Verse 7. If they were weaker, willing to flee, they would be more successful. - Genesis 39:1-2. He gave him great success. Application Question: What are some other principles that will help us conquer temptation? We also know that Potiphar was smart enough to recognize a good thing when he saw it. Her lust overrules any fear of punishment or social stigma she might endure due to seducing Joseph. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. When you truly live a God-centered life, those around you will be able to tell that you are different (Philippians 2:15). 7 Hughes, R. K. (2004). Joseph's reasons for not sleeping with Potiphar's wife are found in Genesis 39:8-9. Its normal. Naturally Potiphar was angered beyond words. Because Joseph submitted to God in the test and trusted Gods promises to him, he received Gods blessing. Do you stand out as different among the ungodly? Why did the most important official of the most important man in Egypt choose Joseph out of all the other slaves? In Genesis she is given no name, but in later medieval Jewish sources and Islamic tradition, she is identified as Zuleikha (/zulek/ zoo-LAY-kah; Hebrew: ; Arabic: , romanized:zulay). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Genesis 39:20 Commentaries: So Joseph's master took him and put him Q. Genesis 39 - Commentary by Rev. John Schultz He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) 32-3: Who was the "man" that Jacob wrestled? 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." 3. He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allh. Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. 3 Hughes, R. K. (2004). Just the opposite, Joseph was content with all that God had blessed him with. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. That's a pretty sobering story. 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. Joseph and Potiphar: The Named, the Neutered, and the Neutralized Paul understood that true peace could never be achieved without Gods grace. Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28). (1) When it says, he became furious (v. 19), it does not say that he became furious at Joseph. And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allh! Ask: Does anyone remember the name of the Promised Land?
