Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. There is no other God except Me.. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants. He saw that the Lord gave Joseph success in everything he did. This is a discipline that we must always practice whenever we are tempted: we must seriously consider the consequences. 40-1: Was Joseph really kept in a "prison"? Log in. The president. Some members of my church might never return to church again. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Overseeing other prisoners and interpreting dreams leads to his further success as a leader of the Israelites. He didnt look at her or even listen to her. 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. God used this humbling circumstance as a boot campmeant to discipline and train Joseph. 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. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7). Gods grace can turn any situation around. Most importantly, like Joseph, we must remember that participating in sin hurts God deeply. We call this omni-present. It says, The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be their attendant, and he served them. Why would Potiphar entrust Joseph with anything again if he had broken the ultimate trusttrying to rape his wife? Joseph was good looking. Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. Joseph just needed to trust them. Who were the priests of On? Rightly, Joseph knew that being a boyfriend to another mans wife was a sin against God. 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. Personally, I always think about how spiritual failure would negatively affect my daughter for the rest of her life. The Egyptians saw things that God made such as the sun, the moon, and animals, and believed that these amazing things must be gods. One day, Joseph went to the house to take care of his duties. If Potiphar's daughter is now marrying Joseph, Potiphar will be forced to support him. Big Question: What principles can we learn about conquering temptation from Josephs responses to various temptations in this narrative? 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. 27-4: Who are the descendants of Esau today? God is working all things for our good and to make us into his Sons image (Rom 8:28-29). The Lord was with Joseph. 34-1: Dinah, a daughter of Israel, is raped by a Canaanite! 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. Yet Potiphars wife cannot ruin Josephs life because God is with him. We are called to flee it, like Joseph. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error." There is no one greater in this household than I am. She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. It will be fun! But Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Even while in prison, Joseph continues to rise to prominence. It says, We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.. It sounds ridiculous, but that is what many people around the world do, even today. 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. What God does with people and how people react is unpredictable, though. 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. Joseph lived his life differently than all the Egyptians. Solomon said this to his son about avoiding the temptation of adultery: Can a man hold fire against his chest without burning his clothes? All rights reserved. How is your integrity? Interpretation Question: Did Potiphar believe his wifes accusations? Do you believe that God would go all the way down to a dingy dungeon to be with Joseph? A few commentators have focused on the issue of who believed her. He was in charge of whatever they were doing. God gave Joseph the peace and strength that he needed in prison. Say: God did NOT abandon Joseph! He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: 'Lie with me.' Application: Just like Joseph, we live in a time and place where many of the people around us dont know the one true God. Kent Hughes said, The word is out God is looking for a few good cowards!7 The rest of Scripture supports this: Second Timothy 2:22 (NIV) says, Flee the evil desires of youth First Corinthians 6:18 says, Flee sexual immorality. Actually, yes. In what ways is God calling you to further employ strategic principles to overcome temptation in general or with a specific temptation? Say: Mrs. Potiphar would not give up. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. The Bible says that there is only one true God. My son, do not scorn the Lords discipline or give up when he corrects you. 29. As Joseph submitted to God in the trial, God was with him to bless and not to discipline. Without doubt, Joseph was aware that scorning Potiphars wife could have hazardous consequences. Ask: Who can tell me why they were so jealous? Potiphar's wife appears to cut quite a figure in her important husband's life and the life of his steward, the Jewish people's leader Joseph. Canaan. The price could be loneliness, being made fun of, losing ones job, or even losing ones life. His integrity was preparing him for further exaltationto be second in command over Egypt. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." Are you submitting to Gods discipline? When the mouse would come out at night looking for food, it would smell the stinky cheese. How can we conquer temptation? He made him accountable for everything that was done there. Application: Ask: Have you ever felt like Joseph in Egypt? (1) When it says, he became furious (v. 19), it does not say that he became furious at Joseph. Potiphar trusted him, giving him charge over everything he owned. But one of them has to be reconciliation and forgiveness. 28. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. He trusted Joseph and he no longer worried about running his home. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. She was used to getting her way, and she kept flirting with Joseph. Next week well see another twist in Gods incredible plan for Joseph. 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). Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. 2 Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph (p. 24). - Genesis 39:1-2. What price do you have to pay in order to maintain holiness and conquer temptation? (3) Also, in Genesis 40:2-3, it appears that Joseph was imprisoned in a prison that was attached to Potiphars house. He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) With success, comes more temptations, and therefore we must be even more disciplined if God allows those opportunities. He was loyal to the people who had been kind to him. Because Joseph submitted to God in the test and trusted Gods promises to him, he received Gods blessing. Whats the big deal?!. 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. The writer of Hebrews warns against scorning or becoming upset at Gods discipline. She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. Then she called Potiphar and, by implication, blamed him. When they go through hard times with family, work, school, or other relationships, they become bitter and constantly complain. He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Application Question: When tempted, how often do you consider the consequences of sin? 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. 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. Eight times Yahweh is mentioned in this chapter. 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. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus to step outside of Gods perfect will (Matthew 4:1-11). In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: Genesis (Ge 39:1). And she spoke unto him according to these words, saying: 'The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me. And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. It is very similar with Satan. [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. Potiphar puts him in charge of his household and entrusts everything into his care. Are you willing to trust what God says about your trialsthat he is using them for good? Obviously, Potiphars wife wasnt used to being rejected and wouldnt take no for an answer. Sadly, the good vibes didn't last. Others might turn away from Christ altogether. On the other hand, she 'cast her eyes' upon Joseph and pursued him - planning in her heart to seduce him. All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added. Everyone and everything in Potiphars home was blessed because of Josephs God-centered life. According to monumental evidence (Wilkinson's ' Ancient Egyptians,' vol. 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)! Application Question: Why is it important to see God as sovereign over trials and temptations in order to be faithful in them (cf. For other uses, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Potiphar%27s_wife&oldid=1143418407, This page was last edited on 7 March 2023, at 16:09. How he ended up a slave in the household of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers. If not, you will eventually succumb to temptation and reap the consequences of it. What Satan means for bad, God is going to use for your good (cf. 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). How did the Egyptians fall into this trap? Genesis (Ge 39:710). And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
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