Sadly, the good vibes didn't last. 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. 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. 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. 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. Because God had a plan! Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. 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! First Corinthians 10:13 implies that we all will experience temptation and, at the same time, be provided a way of escape. He learned the Egyptian language and customs. Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? 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. Ask: Who was with Joseph? Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. In Legends of the Jews,the Egyptian housewives are so captivated by watching Joseph that they accidentally cut themselves while peeling oranges! Lets read to find out: While Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him. So how could I do an evil thing like that? Eventually, she became so desperate that on a day none of the other servants were around (a possible setup), she grabbed Joseph and tried to force him to sleep with her. The story of Potiphar's wife . Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 464). Now he was in a land where people believed in thousands of gods. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. Youre a handsome guy! Husbands, especially if they were wealthy, commonly had concubines or mistresses. Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. Are you preparing to conquer temptation by having integrity in all things or preparing to succumb to future temptations by small compromises? She may have gloated over Josephs arrest and limitless prison sentence. Joseph ran awayleaving his outer garment in her hand. In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. 39-4: Five ways Joseph foreshadows Yeshua's life in Genesis 39, 39-3: Potiphar did NOT believe his wife's accusation about Joseph, 39-2: Joseph teaches us to be faithful regardless of circumstances, 39-1: The Pharaoh during Joseph's time was NOT an Egyptian, 38-5: One Hasidic Jew's take on the Tamar & Judah prostitution incident, 38-4: The difference between "Cultic Harlotry" and "Common Prostitution" in the Scriptures, 38-3: Levirate marriage has nothing to do with the Tribe of Levi, 38-1: The importance of Judah to the Messianic Line, 37-6: God used adversity in Joseph's life to prepare him for the future, 37-5: 15 ways Joseph's Life foreshadows Yeshua in Genesis 37, 37-3: The reasons Joseph was so hated by his brothers, 37-2: Divine Providence plays center stage in Joseph's life. With success, comes more temptations, and therefore we must be even more disciplined if God allows those opportunities. This seems so unfair! Joseph had previously foreseen God using the bad for good in his dreams (Gen 37:5-11) and he believed those dreams. If not, you will eventually succumb to temptation and reap the consequences of it. "There are several important morals to the story of Joseph, and many types for our day. [Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." How his brothers resented the special treatment their bratty little brother received. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus to step outside of Gods perfect will (Matthew 4:1-11). The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. In what ways is God calling you to further employ strategic principles to overcome temptation in general or with a specific temptation? 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? 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.. That's a pretty sobering story. Big Question: What principles can we learn about conquering temptation from Josephs responses to various temptations in this narrative? And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. Lets face it; there is enough food in my kitchen to keep that mouse fat and happy for his entire life. From the time he puts him in charge, the Lord blesses the household. All rights reserved. So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. All rights reserved. Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? A person cannot stop God from fulfilling His plans. funny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Eight times Yahweh is mentioned in this chapter. Application Question: When tempted, how often do you consider the consequences of sin? Its OK to cheat on a testEverybody else is doing it! they say. Potiphar's wife is never named in the biblical passagemerely referred to as , "wife of his [Joseph's] master" (vv. 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. No doubt, she not only spoke but probably tried to tempt him by wearing revealing clothing and alluring perfume. Gods grace gives you strength, peace, and even joy, in any situation (Romans 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:9). Joseph lived his life differently than all the Egyptians. He was in the midst of idolatry. Do you realize your trials and temptations are just ways God is preparing you for more? [citation needed] The story of Yusuf and Zulaikha is a popular one in Islamic literature. Then she called Potiphar and, by implication, blamed him. Application: You are young, but some of you have already faced very difficult situations. 31. 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. Remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44). How commonly do we see successful pastors, athletes, businessmen, or government officials fall? Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you? This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. 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. Well need to be more disciplined with our time and money. God is working all things for our good and to make us into his Sons image (Rom 8:28-29). Hand Me Another Brick (p. 98). And Pharaohs most important official chose Joseph to be his slave. Well start to see how God used this terrible situation for good! He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Ask: Does anyone remember the name of the Promised Land? Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. The Hebrew word for "official" is the same that is used for eunuch. 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). Here in a cold prison, God continued to use Joseph. Joseph already has a strong character before Potiphars wife watches him working outside the palace through the gauze curtains of her jasmine-scented chambers. 40-4: How was Joseph able to remain so strong in his faith? 40-2: The importance of dreams in ancient Egypt. Its an alternative lifestyle. It implies that Joseph had shown himself trustworthy, and therefore, Potiphar didnt have to worry about anything. 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. However, the account of Joseph and Potiphar changes when Potiphar's wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. When Joseph is taken by slave traders to Egypt, he is purchased by a high official in Pharaohs court named Potiphar. When people look at the world around them, they can tell that there is a powerful God who created everything (Romans 1:20). Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. [citation needed], Scholars such as Meir Sternberg (1985) characterise the woman's repetitive behaviour towards Joseph as sexual assault. Gods perfect plan for marriage has always been one man and one woman together for their lifetime. We all know how this works. 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. 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. Whats the big deal?!. - Genesis 39:1-2. He was one of four men the Bible describes in this way, including Saul, David, and Absalom. Say: Joseph went from being the favorite son to becoming a SLAVE! He gave Joseph success in everything he did. Then she made up a big lie about him (John 8:44). Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife's advances, not yielding to temptation day after day. Actually, yes. 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. Say: But, Here comes trouble. In the pagan world, adultery was normal. She attempted to sexually assault Joseph who, as a slave, could never have truly consented. But Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Ask: Do you think he felt afraid or lonely? Sin is not the end game of temptationdestruction is. How should Christians overcome this reprogramming? Its not normal to forbid yourself these basic needs, they say. Potiphars wife frames Joseph, saying he made improper advances toward her. 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." So . Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement]. 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. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. If you eat of the tree, you wont die. Interpretation Question: Did Potiphar believe his wifes accusations? She goes by the moniker Potiphars wife, but she does not act like a godly wife, whose virtues are praised in Proverbs 31. Do you stand out as different among the ungodly? He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And women in the city said, "The wife of al-Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Potiphars wife may have been attractive, but her interactions with Joseph were not lovely. [citation needed], Muslim scriptural commentators (Mufassirun) have regarded Zuleikha as a sinner and villainess with the exceptions of the great Muslim mystic poets Rumi, Hafiz and Jami. If we humble ourselves before God in our trials and temptations, he will lift us up as well. Kindle Edition. They were having relations. 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. Say: Now Joseph was in a new land with different smells, different tastes, different people, a different language, and different gods. There is circumstantial evidence within the text that Potiphar didnt completely believe his wife. - Genesis 39:21 a NLT Props: A mousetrap, cheese Background/Review Essentially, he taught that we need to be drastic in order to be holy. He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. She was married to a rich man and had class and wealth on her side. The cheese has to smell so good to the mouse that it will distract it from the good food in my kitchen. While they engaged in this task, Zuleikha had Joseph walk through the room. (3) Also, in Genesis 40:2-3, it appears that Joseph was imprisoned in a prison that was attached to Potiphars house. However, what we see is that God was with Joseph. Unfortunately, this sudden fall has happened to many others as well. 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. God was intimately involved in every detail of Josephs life. 1 Guzik, D. (2013). No one in this house is in a higher position than I am. The Hebrew would try to hurt them as well. All rights reserved. Potiphar is the only Egyptian of status who would harbor a grudge against Joseph, given their prior history. Say: Mrs. Potiphar would not give up. 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. 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. From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptians household for Josephs sake. How has God called you to at times pay a price for following God? 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.' Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. 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. Did they have children? Used by permission. It probably means something like "brilliant beauty or lovely." Joseph is also described as "handsome and good-looking," and one day she asks him to go to bed with her. Jesus knows what it feels like to be attacked from the outside by Satan. Some believers are just too strong to conquer temptation. And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allh! In the same way, Joseph had complete control over everything in Potiphars household - except for one thing, Potiphars wife. She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. You have a disease! The blessing is on everything Potiphar owns - his fields, his house, his possessions. All rights reserved worldwide. 7 Hughes, R. K. (2004). 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. But Joseph was not alone! Joseph refuses, using a word that suggests the decision is difficult. [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]. 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. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. 1878; Hengstenbergs 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' 1:25; Kalisch, p. 631 . However, Christ says to be angry is morally equivalent to murder (Matt 5:21-22)! One day he went into the house to do his work when none of the household servants were there in the house. According to monumental evidence (Wilkinson's ' Ancient Egyptians,' vol. God was with Joseph when he was the only believer in Egypt, and He will be with you wherever you go. By Gods grace, Joseph did not become bitter, holding onto his anger as his brothers had done. 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. But God was with Joseph in everything he did. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. 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). It wasnt long before sin came knocking at Josephs door. What price do you have to pay in order to maintain holiness and conquer temptation? Application: Satan loves to tempt people with what God has forbidden. God gave him great leadership skills and other blessings. Its OK! This is one of the ways Satan makes evil attractivehe rebrands it, like a great businessman. Potiphar doesn't believe his wife's claim that Joseph tried to rape her. Satan spends his days and nights setting traps to distract people from the truth (1 Peter 5:8). All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Joseph says in Genesis 39:9: No one is greater in this house than I am. Well need to be more transparent, as a means of protection. The Bible says, They traded the truth about God for a lie. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. He was learning administrative skills, as he led all of Potiphars household. We may not have clear, predictive dreams from God, but we do have a clearer word than Joseph had. If they were weaker, willing to flee, they would be more successful. 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. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?, When invited by Mrs. Potiphar into an adulterous relationship, Joseph called it a great evil and sin against God (v. 9b)?
Janesville, Wi Rock County Jail,
Rock County, Mn Inmate Listing,
Chevy 4 Cylinder Engines For Sale,
Articles D
