did potiphar believe his wife

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. 29. How do we know this? And Pharaohs most important official chose Joseph to be his slave. What should we do when we cant avoid it entirely? He was in charge of whatever they were doing. Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! According to monumental evidence (Wilkinson's ' Ancient Egyptians,' vol. As we said, none of the people around Joseph followed the Lord. (Rashi) Where was Potiphar when his wife was talking to him? 63 And whilst they were smiting him, Joseph called out with a loud . The man who ran the prison didn't pay attention to anything that was in Joseph's care. David was tempted while walking on the roof of his house. How else can you tell if youre compatible for marriage? We may not have clear, predictive dreams from God, but we do have a clearer word than Joseph had. 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. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: 'Lie with me.' Say: Joseph didnt know anyone in this new country. Two credible sources, the Quran and Louis Ginzbergs study Legends of the Jews, name Potiphars wife Zuleika, which sounds like a wily woman. God is everywhere. 10 Things We Know About Potiphar: Instead, they sold him as a slave to some traders that were passing by. Bible Rape Let's assume that Joseph was totally blameless, that a rejected woman, in her anger, accused him falsely, and he was consequently thrown into prison. One of these is the Hebrew Joseph, who had been placed in control of Potiphar's large estate and household. Who were the priests of On? If he failed in any way, Potiphar might put him in prison or even worse, execute him. When Joseph is taken by slave traders to Egypt, he is purchased by a high official in Pharaohs court named Potiphar. How could I sin against God?" Though the young womans royal father wants his daughter to marry the Egyptian pharaoh, she is given in marriage to the captain of the pharaohs bodyguard, chief executioner Potiphar. 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. An Egyptian named Potiphar had bought him from the Ishmaelite traders who had taken him there. Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28). Most importantly, like Joseph, we must remember that participating in sin hurts God deeply. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. So he put Joseph in prison. Yahweh is only mentioned one other time in the rest of Genesis3, which shows how active God was in this part of Josephs life. He was kind to him. And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 6 Guzik, D. (2013). The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). God gave Joseph the peace and strength that he needed in prison. To fight this temptation, Joseph not only refused but also stopped being around her. Joseph and Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39) Related Media Lesson PPT TITLE Main Point: The Lord is with those who trust Him, even in the most difficult times. Kindle Edition. Application Question: If Satan is always tempting us to not trust God so that well fall into sin, how can we increase our faith in God to stand? 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. However, what we see is that God was with Joseph. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' Are you giving thanks or becoming bitter? She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. SNAP! [3] McKinlay (1995) noted that Potiphar's wife is treated as an object in his master's possession (Gen 39:89), and the reason Joseph refuses is not because he doesn't want to have sex with her, but because it would violate his master's trust and be a sin against the God Yahweh. Christ was tempted, and well be tempted as well. - Genesis 39:3-6a. Their jealousy grew and grew until some of them wanted to kill Joseph. Joseph was a handsome young man, and he eventually caught the attention of Potiphar's wife. His integrity was preparing him for further exaltationto be second in command over Egypt. Many arent willing to pay the price for being holy. Considering the consequences of our sin is a wise practice. Joseph already has a strong character before Potiphars wife watches him working outside the palace through the gauze curtains of her jasmine-scented chambers. Andrews speculates that Potiphar would rather have a new horse than a Minoanwife. Minoa was an ancient culture of Greece (and in the novel, Potiphars wifes original home, to which she longs to return). The Holy Spirit guides us and gives us the power to make the right moral decisions and honor God. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; When Potiphars wife asked Joseph to sleep with her, he refused and gave two reasons for doing so: First, he talked about how his master trusted him and favored him, and second, he indicated that it would be a sin against God. Ask: Who was with Joseph? He put Joseph in charge of his house. Joseph just needed to trust them. He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. Application: Ask: Have you ever felt like Joseph in Egypt? Let it out! Everyone and everything in Potiphars home was blessed because of Josephs God-centered life. Then she called Potiphar and, by implication, blamed him. Some dont want to get skipped over for promotion or shunned at their workplace, so they compromise with their peers. Q. [15] She is deemed an extension of her husband's property and is thus subservient to "the . Its OK! This is one of the ways Satan makes evil attractivehe rebrands it, like a great businessman. We also know that Potiphar was smart enough to recognize a good thing when he saw it. Next week well see another twist in Gods incredible plan for Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. 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. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God, so where do all of these other gods come from? Satans desire is that we worship anything or everything - except the one true God. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Following this incident, her contemporaries no longer mocked her. So Potiphar told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned. 1 Corinthians 10:13, written for early Christians centuries after the account of Potiphars wife and Joseph, states that we are not tempted beyond what God decides we can handle. Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. He saw that the Lord gave Joseph success in everything he did. Adam and Eve could eat freely of every tree - except for one. The price could be loneliness, being made fun of, losing ones job, or even losing ones life. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden. Similarly, to not punish Joseph would have been an extreme loss of face for Potiphar and, obviously, would have further hurt his relationship with his wife. You are his wife. Boldly ask for the grace to say NO to sin. (4). This is a discipline that we must always practice whenever we are tempted: we must seriously consider the consequences. This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Judaism is a stub. We must remember that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Gods grace gives you power when Satan tries to tempt you. The Lord! "There are several important morals to the story of Joseph, and many types for our day. It is unfair that Joseph did the right thing, yet he was sent to prison! The text says that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned. How commonly do we see successful pastors, athletes, businessmen, or government officials fall? When he refused, she falsely accused him of attempted rape. 35-2: Does the church today hold false beliefs about God as Jacob did in his time? He was loyal to the people who had been kind to him. God is with you. He learned the Egyptian language and customs. Her husband believes her. If it means getting rid of the TV or cutting off the Wi-Fi in the house, so be it. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7). Although we LOVE for teachers to read from their Bibles, and for children to read along in theirs, in this case, it is best to paraphrase her words, and not read directly from the scripture. Application Question: What are some other principles that will help us conquer temptation? Say: As far as we know, Joseph was probably the only believer in the entire nation of Egypt! The narrator said, Soon after these things (v. 7). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! This is repeated four times in verses 4 to 6 for emphasis. 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. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. Also, it would be easier for him to stand when other major temptations would come while he oversaw matters in Egypt. Essentially, he taught that we need to be drastic in order to be holy. Joseph says in Genesis 39:9: No one is greater in this house than I am. They worshipped a sun god, a moon god, a frog goddess, a fish goddess, a cow goddess, a beautiful cat goddess, the god of thunder, and hundreds more! Eve had to trust God to not succumb to temptation, and its the same for us. What evidence is there the Potiphar did not believe his wife? Another principle about conquering temptation that we can discern is the need to practice integrity in all areas of life. 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.. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:25 NLT). Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to have sex with her. This is where many succumb to temptation. She may have lied in other areas to protect her high position. 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. Instead of being bitter and upset, Joseph submitted to God and trusted him in the midst of his trial. If we humble ourselves before God in our trials and temptations, he will lift us up as well. God is working all things for our good and to make us into his Sons image (Rom 8:28-29). - Genesis 39:20b-23. Just the opposite, Joseph was content with all that God had blessed him with. Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife's advances, not yielding to temptation day after day. Genesis (Ge 39:710). He made him his attendant. Imagine how strange this was to Joseph. 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 ). 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. Joseph, we remember, is the future leader and current visionary of the Jewish people in bondage in Egypt. funny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . The astrological calculations however were slightly off. Jesus knows what it feels like to be attacked from the outside by Satan. Its OK to cheat on a testEverybody else is doing it! they say. When Joseph's master (Potiphar) heard her story, he became very angry. Why did the most important official of the most important man in Egypt choose Joseph out of all the other slaves? Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Its the same lie Satan told Eve. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. Therefore, in order to conquer temptation, we must trust God and what his Word says. [3] Susan Tower Hollis (1989) demonstrated that the narrative of Potiphar's wife 'is in line with certain ancient folk-tales, where a 'woman makes vain overtures to a man and then accuses him of attempting to force her', with the man 'unjustly punished for his alleged attempt to seduce the woman.'[3]. 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. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Also, it would be easier for him to stand when other major temptations would come while he oversaw matters in Egypt. She grabbed him by his outer garment, saying, Have sex with me! But he left his outer garment in her hand and ran outside. 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. Joseph had previously foreseen God using the bad for good in his dreams (Gen 37:5-11) and he believed those dreams. This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. Indeed, you were of the sinful." [Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." Its an alternative lifestyle. She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. It is meant to mature us for our calling, as James said, and thats exactly what God was doing with Joseph. He trusts me to take care of everything he owns. Do you believe that God would go all the way down to a dingy dungeon to be with Joseph? What Satan means for bad, God is going to use for your good (cf. And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. Application: Just like Joseph, we live in a time and place where many of the people around us dont know the one true God. When he did, she sprung her trap. What types of disciplines are necessary to protect someone in seasons of promotion and exaltation? She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." She lies to her husband, and when he throws Joseph in prison, she probably imagines it will be the end of Josephs life. By His grace, God gave Joseph the power to say NO to sin (Titus 2:11-12). The Bible describes Joseph as strong and handsome. With that said, Josephs example also teaches a principle about how to go through trials and temptations. She picked a moment when the servants were all out of the house. If we dont hate it, then it will linger in our lives. It is clear that Joseph trusted God and wasnt bitter towards him, which would have hindered Gods blessings. And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.' Even while in prison, Joseph continues to rise to prominence. Its normal. This narrative of Potiphars wife, her husband, and Joseph is more evidence that God can carry out His plan for us in any situation. Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? I have chosen Sforno's translation, since it's one of the more concise ones. Finally, while Joseph was imprisoned, God showed him great kindness. The writer of Hebrews warns against scorning or becoming upset at Gods discipline. We are called to flee it, like Joseph. Gods blessing over his child, Joseph, is an important reality that we must consider when being tempted. According to Genesis 39:1 (NKJV), Potiphar was "an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian.". 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. They not only protected Pharaoh, but when he was upset with somebody, they executed that person. 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). [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'. Check out her blog atBetty by Elizabeth Dunning and her website,www.elizabethdunning-wix.com. All rights reserved worldwide. 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. Gods perfect plan for marriage has always been one man and one woman together for their lifetime. . Because God had a plan! 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. 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. Application Question: Why is it important to see God as sovereign over trials and temptations in order to be faithful in them (cf. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. Joseph refuses, using a word that suggests the decision is difficult. Some Bible translations (such as NIrV) are very explicit in the wording of her offer. He was the captain of the palace guard. Potiphar puts him in charge of his household and entrusts everything into his care. That would suppress who you really are! He put Joseph in charge of all of the prisoners. How is your integrity? Phil 4:6-7). Have you ever been the only one who followed God on your team, or in your class at school? The Lord is the one and only God., In Deuteronomy 32:39, God declares, Look! This is exactly how the world and Satan promote sin: It is not a great evil! Its meant to be celebrated! 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 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). Potiphar's wife, though unnamed, played a significant role in Joseph's journey from favored son to powerful leader in Egypt. Joseph lived in Potiphar's house. Distracted by his handsomeness, all the ladies accidentally cut themselves with the knives, drawing blood. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus to step outside of Gods perfect will (Matthew 4:1-11). Their father, Jacob, loved Joseph more than all the brothers, Jacob gave him a fancy coat, and Joseph dreamed that his brothers would bow down to him one day. Ask: Do you think he felt afraid or lonely? And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Adam and Eve did not trust that Gods plan was best for them. Potiphar may also be protecting his ego by not admitting his wife strayed from him. When things were bad, God moved in a special way in his life, even if Joseph was unaware of it. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon. In Legends of the Jews,the Egyptian housewives are so captivated by watching Joseph that they accidentally cut themselves while peeling oranges! All rights reserved. When successful, well need greater accountabilitypeople to speak into our lives and hold us accountable. His life was different; he was set apart from the ungodly. He told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned. 24. So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish historian, once wrote, Adversity is hard on a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.4 Promotion and success open doors to more temptation: The more successful people become, the less they have others looking over their shoulders; the more freedoms and perks they receive, the more temptation they experience to abuse their power. The only thing Joseph is not in charge of is Potiphar's food. Paul relied on Gods grace to bring him strength and contentment in the most trying of circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). 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. Meanwhile, the traders who had bought Joseph traveled to Egypt. Jewish commentators also see some good motives in her actions. Potiphar's wife accused him of raping her, so he did it to make his wife happy. Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. He made him accountable for everything that was done there. So when he [i.e., her husband] saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of your [i.e., women's] plan. This is the very reason many people cant get free from sin; they simply dont see it as bad. Interpretation Question: Did Potiphar believe his wifes accusations? She called all the servants togetherdeclaring that the Hebrew that Potiphar brought to them came to humiliate them (v. 14). Why Did Jesus Give Believers the Beatitudes? Potiphar's wife stands out, however, as perhaps the evilest nameless woman in the Bible. ), 36-5: The appearance of Amalek-Israel's arch enemy, 36-4: The pagan god Baal appears in Esau's genealogy, 36-3: How our culture blinds us to understanding the conflict in the Middle East, 36-2: Esau's sons LEFT the promised land while Jacob's sons ENTERED into it. Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. . She said Yosef was doing these things to me. 34. 2. 27. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. Are you willing to trust what God says about your trialsthat he is using them for good? Related Topics: Christian Life, Temptation, Greg Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. 25. He was humble. 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. 35. 32-3: Who was the "man" that Jacob wrestled? I would put a piece of cheese in this trap - the smellier the better! They even treated their king, Pharaoh, as a god. In the same way, Joseph had complete control over everything in Potiphars household - except for one thing, Potiphars wife. 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. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. Well need to guard our family moregreater responsibility and popularity means well have to say no more often, in order to spend time with our family. We are called to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (Jam 1:4). 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.' 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. He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Unlike the previous narrative, where we learned from the failures of Josephs family (Gen 37), in this narrative, we learn from Josephs success in conquering temptation. The Lord was with Joseph. 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. What does this story tell us about the character of Joseph? 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." We call this omni-present. Plus, my husband has many other women! He was in the midst of idolatry. Potiphars wifes frustration with seducing Joseph lights up her anger. [citation needed] The story of Yusuf and Zulaikha is a popular one in Islamic literature. What Makes Makoto Fujimura a Great Christian Artist? A slave, a Hebrew slave no less, had attempted to violate his wife. Hebrews 4:16 says, So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. Eight times Yahweh is mentioned in this chapter. Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that he [i.e., al-Azeez] should surely imprison him for a time. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. Joseph was doing an excellent job in Egypt, but not through his own strength. They took his colorful coat, dipped it in the blood of a goat, and gave it to their father. - Genesis 39:8-9. Say: Here is a mouse trap. He was faithful with littlePotiphars housetherefore, it was easier to stand when tempted by his wife. No one in this house is in a higher position than I am. 33-4: Jacob settles in the very same spot where Yeshua encountered the Samaritan woman, 33-3: Jacob tells Esau he will join him in Edom, but doesn't, 33-2: One advantage Asians have when reading the Bible, 32-5: The power in letting go and letting God, 32-4: Jacob's name is changed to Israel-One who trusts God. Joseph was good looking. Well need to be more disciplined with our time and money. 40-2: The importance of dreams in ancient Egypt. Josephs personal integrity was impeccable in all areasnot just when it came to sexual purity. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? If Potiphar's daughter is now marrying Joseph, Potiphar will be forced to support him. His goal is to distract you from the only real source of life. And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. "Now he doesn't have to worry about anything in the house. Sin drastically affects us and others around us. Genesis (Ge 39:710). An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. Often Christians compartmentalize their life: certain deceptions are OK, and others are not. All rights reserved. In short, she has no purpose. He was afraid of Potiphar and wanted to stay pure before 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. Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. Soon after these things, his masters wife took notice of Joseph and said, Have sex with me.. Joseph's reasons for not sleeping with Potiphar's wife are found in Genesis 39:8-9. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. She said, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. 34-1: Dinah, a daughter of Israel, is raped by a Canaanite! Saul fell when success came, and so did David and Solomon. When Joseph rejects Potiphars wife, she lies and accuses him of attempting to assault her sexually. No matter where Joseph ends up, he flourishes personally and carries out Gods plan. Therefore, we should consider all hardship as under the sovereign hand of Godused to train us. Satan spends his days and nights setting traps to distract people from the truth (1 Peter 5:8). - Genesis 39:1-2. Say: Mrs. Potiphar would not give up. However, Christ says to be angry is morally equivalent to murder (Matt 5:21-22)! Then you only have two choices. Ask: Does anyone remember the name of the Promised Land?

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