He was faithful with littlePotiphar's housetherefore, it was easier to stand when tempted by his wife. Why did the most important official of the most important man in Egypt choose Joseph out of all the other slaves? Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement]. Having a wife was primarily for providing an heir and overseeing the household. In this very difficult time, God poured out grace on Joseph that was like a big warm hug. So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke unto him, saying: 'After this manner did thy servant to me'; that his wrath was kindled. She grabbed hold of his coat, but he managed to get away from her. Verse 7. Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 464). Say: Josephs brothers held on to their anger and bitterness. The only thing Joseph is not in charge of is Potiphar's food. 33. Naturally Potiphar was angered beyond words. Say: The most important man in Egypt was Pharaoh. Some members of my church might never return to church again. Getting angry is just self-expressionsharing whats on ones mind! We have a longing for justice, because we are created in the image of a perfectly just God (Deuteronomy 32:4). She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. So Potiphar told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned. The answer is actually quite logical. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed." Thomas Nelson. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. 39. From the Penthouse to the Prison (Genesis 39:1-23) Potiphars wife stands out, however, as perhaps the evilest nameless woman in the Bible. What price do you have to pay in order to maintain holiness and conquer temptation? 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. [citation needed], Scholars such as Meir Sternberg (1985) characterise the woman's repetitive behaviour towards Joseph as sexual assault. What Do We Know about Potiphar's Wife? - Christianity.com Potiphar's Wife - BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING Indeed, you were of the sinful." It is meant to develop righteousness in us and give us more peace, regardless of our circumstances. 2007BibleLessons4Kidz.com All rights reserved worldwide. 29. Genesis (Ge 39:710). However, though Joseph was good looking, Potiphars wife didnt notice him until he was exalted. Its Satans goal to rob God of the worship that God deserves, because Satan is so jealous of God. Application Question: Why is it important to practice integrity in little things to protect us from stumbling in bigger things? This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Judaism is a stub. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. Have you ever been the only one who followed God on your team, or in your class at school? Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. (Nobody promotes a bitter, whiny, solemn person! Either Potiphar was singularly lenient, or, as is perhaps more probable, he did not quite believe his wife's story, and thought it best to hush up a scandal. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! She goes by the moniker Potiphars wife, but she does not act like a godly wife, whose virtues are praised in Proverbs 31. The cheese has to smell so good to the mouse that it will distract it from the good food in my kitchen. He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife's advances, not yielding to temptation day after day. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. Thats what Israel didcausing them to miss Gods blessing in their trial and instead experience his wrath. 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. 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. Are you giving thanks or becoming bitter? [Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." In the pagan world, adultery was normal. Let it out! The Egyptians had a long list of gods. 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?. He trusts me to take care of everything he owns. They commonly harbor anger and bitterness for years after some traumatic event: They are angry at parents, the school system, government, or someone else who harmed them. Many fail to submit to God in the midst of their trials and temptations and instead succumb to them. We can only guess what happened to her in the future. He made him accountable for everything that was done there. To fight this temptation, Joseph not only refused but also stopped being around her. Saul fell when success came, and so did David and Solomon. He is still a slave and servant, though the highest-ranking slave in Potiphars household, entrusted with carrying for all of Potiphars possessions and business. Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. He made him his attendant. By complaining instead of praising God, they are really saying that they dont trust God, that he is not in control, or that he doesnt know what he is doing. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. When Joseph's master (Potiphar) heard her story, he became very angry. What God does not bless is Potiphars wifes pursuit of Joseph, even though she is much higher in social status than Joseph. . 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. Homosexuality is not an abomination like Scripture says. 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. Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. The Quran narrates the wife of Azizs treatment of Yusuf as follows: And when he reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. Some dont want to get skipped over for promotion or shunned at their workplace, so they compromise with their peers. It would devastate my wife. His integrity was preparing him for further exaltationto be second in command over Egypt. Thinking of its consequences will help us stand against temptation. 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. A slave, a Hebrew slave no less, had attempted to violate his wife. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? In short, she has no purpose. The president. Are you willing to trust what God says about your trialsthat he is using them for good? She attempted to sleep with him many times, but Joseph continually refused. If not, you will eventually succumb to temptation and reap the consequences of it. But God was with Joseph in everything he did. SNAP! How can we conquer temptation? We call this omni-present. Potiphar and His Wife - Bible Study - BibleWise You have a disease! God wants you to believe Him - to TRUST HIM - and live! The blessing is on everything Potiphar owns - his fields, his house, his possessions. What God does with people and how people react is unpredictable, though. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error." Titus said this, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Obviously, Potiphars wife wasnt used to being rejected and wouldnt take no for an answer. But I dont want a mouse to thrive in my kitchen. 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. In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: The man who ran the prison didn't pay attention to anything that was in Joseph's care. Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. All rights reserved. These gifts of Joseph lead to his becoming governor of the land (Genesis 42:6) in Egypt and Gods leader of the Jewish people (Genesis 45:7-8). 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. They took his colorful coat, dipped it in the blood of a goat, and gave it to their father. How has God called you to at times pay a price for following God? Actually, yes. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Joseph's master saw that the Lord was with him. Jacob believed that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 461). How should Christians overcome this reprogramming? 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. Joseph flees from her advances, losing his cloak as he escapes her grip on him. His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful. What is the story of Joseph and Potiphar? | GotQuestions.org Why is this such an important discipline? Deuteronomy 6:4 says, Israel, listen to me. If they were weaker, willing to flee, they would be more successful. God was with Joseph when he was the only believer in Egypt, and He will be with you wherever you go. God is everywhere. Well need to be more disciplined with our time and money. 3. Canaan. One day she asked him to act like her boyfriend! 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. This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. Finally, while Joseph was imprisoned, God showed him great kindness. In his classic work All the Women of the Bible, Herbert Lockyer lists twice that many nameless women (many of them are groups of women, such as Solomons 300 wives). She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. It seems quite likely that Potiphar did not believe his wife. Perhaps Mesu Andrews novel, Potiphars Wife,gives her a brighter future than I have predicted. All rights reserved. It is good for us to think deeply about the potential consequencesconsidering how our sins affect ourselves, friends, family, other Christians, and non-believers. How is it that no one spots Potiphar's wife's lie? QUESTION 5: Did Potiphar truly believe his wife's accusation of Joseph? Ask: Who can tell me why they were so jealous? Consequently, Potiphar's wife would have been a woman of significant . 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. And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.' We also know that Potiphar was smart enough to recognize a good thing when he saw it. Her husband believes her. (3) Also, in Genesis 40:2-3, it appears that Joseph was imprisoned in a prison that was attached to Potiphars house. He owns many slaves. What evidence is there the Potiphar did not believe his wife? [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. One day he went into the house to do his work when none of the household servants were there in the house. Joseph had previously foreseen God using the bad for good in his dreams (Gen 37:5-11) and he believed those dreams. 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.. He was one of four men the Bible describes in this way, including Saul, David, and Absalom. We are called to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (Jam 1:4). Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. Say: But, Here comes trouble. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. [15] She is deemed an extension of her husband's property and is thus subservient to "the . 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. So he put Joseph in prison. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." When he refused, she falsely accused him of attempted rape. 23. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. ), 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. Boldly ask for the grace to say NO to sin. 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. 2 Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph (p. 24). Hebrews 4:16 says, So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. 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. Remember that you are NEVER alone! Youre a handsome guy! First Corinthians 10:13 implies that we all will experience temptation and, at the same time, be provided a way of escape. [] And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. Meanwhile, the traders who had bought Joseph traveled to Egypt. She attempted to sexually assault Joseph who, as a slave, could never have truly consented. Potiphar puts him in charge of his household and entrusts everything into his care. He didnt stand a chance in defending himself against Potiphars wife, however. Josephs personal integrity was impeccable in all areasnot just when it came to sexual purity. Say: When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he was sold to a man named Potiphar who was the captain of the guards at Pharaohs palace. Joseph, Potiphar's Wife, and the Dangers of Sexual Sin How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' 63 And whilst they were smiting him, Joseph called out with a loud . "My master has put me in charge," he told her. 39-3: Potiphar did NOT believe his wife's accusation about Joseph Do you follow God in everything you do? For Joseph, it was probably initially intimidating working for Potiphar. We learn a great deal from Josephs triumphant example, as he faced multiple temptations as a slave and later a prisoner in Potiphars house. Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. 7, 8), or , "his wife" (v. 19). When Joseph is taken by slave traders to Egypt, he is purchased by a high official in Pharaohs court named Potiphar. Similarly, if we are going to conquer temptation, we must intentionally and persistently avoid it as well. It was when Joseph was successful that he experienced greater temptations. 1878; Hengstenbergs 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' 1:25; Kalisch, p. 631 . So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:25 NLT). Say: Here is a mouse trap. 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. They trusted Satan when he accused God of holding back something good from them, so they took what was forbidden. Application Question: In what ways have you seen people change negatively when they gain success or are put into authority positions? Joseph and Potiphar's Wife - Thimble-full of Theology More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Genesis 39. Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. Now he was in a land where people believed in thousands of gods. 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. 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. (Rashi) Where was Potiphar when his wife was talking to him? She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. This was preparing him to lead all of Egypt. Here in a cold prison, God continued to use Joseph. Potiphar's wife accused him of raping her, so he did it to make his wife happy. 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. When things were bad, God moved in a special way in his life, even if Joseph was unaware of it. Then she made up a big lie about him (John 8:44). This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. How he ended up a slave in the household of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers. Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. 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. 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. (4). God gave him great leadership skills and other blessings. According to the Book of Genesis, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape after he rejected her sexual advances, resulting in his imprisonment. 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). Joseph, we remember, is the future leader and current visionary of the Jewish people in bondage in Egypt. 40-3: Two similar dreams with two totally different outcomes! (For the sharpest Bible students only! Genesis 39 - Commentary by Rev. John Schultz God blessed him and Potiphar could tell a distinct difference between Joseph and all those around him. Her actions, driven by uncontrolled desires and a need for control, led to Joseph's imprisonment and ultimately to the fulfillment of God's plan for his life. - Genesis 39:3-6a. All rights reserved. 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)! The Bible does not state that Joseph even tried to defend himself by telling the truth. 31. In the very beginning, God created one wife (Eve) for one man (Adam). Their jealousy grew and grew until some of them wanted to kill Joseph. 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. How is your integrity? Do you think that this situation was out of Gods control? 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. An Egyptian named Potiphar had bought him from the Ishmaelite traders who had taken him there. What does this story tell us about the character of Joseph? When Joseph was imprisoned based on Mrs. Potiphars accusations, apparently, it was more like Daniel being thrown in the lions den (Daniel 6). It is very similar with Satan. In what ways, have you, at times, compromised out of fear of the cost? This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel." Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? 27. 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. 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. They not only protected Pharaoh, but when he was upset with somebody, they executed that person. Application Question: What are some common costs of maintaining our integrity and conquering temptation? But Joseph refused to spend any time with her. Its not normal to forbid yourself these basic needs, they say. The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets - Ellen G. White It would seem that his judgment should have been swift and brutal if, indeed, Joseph had sexually assaulted her. If we are going to conquer temptation, we must especially guard ourselves in times of promotion or success. According to Genesis 39:1 (NKJV), Potiphar was "an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian.". When you face temptation, abide in 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. When they dont know the true God, they make up their own idea of what God must be. And thus We reward the doers of good. 36-1: Esau and Edom are one and the same! Genesis (Ge 39:710). Application: You must be aware of Satans traps. 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. 40-1: Was Joseph really kept in a "prison"? Q. What Can Christians Learn From John Donne? When he did, she sprung her trap. Then she called Potiphar and, by implication, blamed him. 9. 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. Distracted by his handsomeness, all the ladies accidentally cut themselves with the knives, drawing blood. He does not have any thoughts of committing adultery with her. This is, of course, Potiphar's household. And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allh! And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: 'Lie with me.' Potiphar doesn't believe his wife's claim that Joseph tried to rape her. 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. Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? Application Question: Why is it so important to flee temptation instead of trying to faithfully endure it? Say: God blessed Joseph, and the blessings poured out over Potiphar, his family, and even his servants. It sounds ridiculous, but that is what many people around the world do, even today. His entire life, he only worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society / Used by permission of IBS-STL. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God, so where do all of these other gods come from? Jacob was broken-hearted to lose his favorite son. Indeed, He is my master, who has made good my residence. He didnt realize that Mrs. Potiphar was alone in the house. Instead, they sold him as a slave to some traders that were passing by. Potiphar's wife is never named in the biblical passagemerely referred to as , "wife of his [Joseph's] master" (vv. This is the very reason many people fall into temptation. He was exalted in Potiphars house, and even after he became a prisoner, he was exalted again. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there." "The captain of the guard" supposedly means that Potiphar was Pharaoh's chief executioners. Wives often were lonely, and some sought the love they lacked outside of the marriage. What should we do when we cant avoid it entirely? He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master. 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. 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. You are his wife. Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. The Lord! Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. 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.
Scotch Plains Police Blotter 2021, Sun Load Sensor Short Circuit To Ground, Palmetto General Hospital Trauma Level, Photo Shoot Props For Rent, Articles D