1. 34-1: Dinah, a daughter of Israel, is raped by a Canaanite! The mouse is caught. Having a wife was primarily for providing an heir and overseeing the household. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). Well start to see how God used this terrible situation for good! All rights reserved. She said, that Hebrew slave you brought to us tried to humiliate me (v. 17). With Joseph in charge, he didn't have to worry about anything except the food he ate. God was with Joseph when he was the only believer in Egypt, and He will be with you wherever you go. The more we know God and his grace, the more it will help us reject godless ways and worldly desires. My son, do not scorn the Lords discipline or give up when he corrects you. First Thessalonians 5:22 says, Stay away from every form of evil. Christ taught that if our eye offends us, to pluck it out, if our hand offends us, to cut it off, and if our foot offends us, to do the same (Matt 5:29-30, Matt 18:8-9). He was kind to him. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. So Potiphar was pleased with Joseph. We also know that Potiphar was smart enough to recognize a good thing when he saw it. 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. Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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. This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel." 32. This is where many succumb to temptation. When you truly live a God-centered life, those around you will be able to tell that you are different (Philippians 2:15). I dont see a happy, older woman. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Genesis - NIV Application Commentary by John Walton. So he was there in the prison. He does not have any thoughts of committing adultery with her. He gave Joseph success in everything he did. Application Question: Why is it so important to flee temptation instead of trying to faithfully endure it? The story of Potiphar's wife . Marriage was not about love and monogamy. The Hebrew word for "official" is the same that is used for eunuch. Two credible sources, the Quran and Louis Ginzbergs study Legends of the Jews, name Potiphars wife Zuleika, which sounds like a wily woman. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. It says she spoke to him day after day (v. 10). By Gods grace, Joseph did not become bitter, holding onto his anger as his brothers had done. This is, of course, Potiphar's household. 30. 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. You are his wife. Overseeing other prisoners and interpreting dreams leads to his further success as a leader of the Israelites. Potiphar's wife accused him of raping her, so he did it to make his wife happy. [citation needed], Scholars such as Meir Sternberg (1985) characterise the woman's repetitive behaviour towards Joseph as sexual assault. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Potiphars wife is one of 42 nameless women in the Bible, according to Lindsay Hardin Freeman in her book Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter. 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. When he did, she sprung her trap. (2) Also, if Joseph were bitter, instead of experiencing Gods blessings as he did, he would have experienced Gods discipline. Promiscuity is natural. He made him his attendant. This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. How he ended up a slave in the household of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers. So . All rights reserved worldwide. SNAP! 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. However, Potiphar, though Pharaohs chief executioner, gave Joseph a lenient sentenceimprisonment. Ask: Who was with Joseph? Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7). 6 Guzik, D. (2013). Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. She was used to getting her way, and she kept flirting with Joseph. She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. Oh, getting drunk and abusing your wife, thats not your fault! Josephs personal integrity was impeccable in all areasnot just when it came to sexual purity. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?. What Can Christians Learn From John Donne? Soon after these things, his masters wife took notice of Joseph and said, Have sex with me.. Application: Ask: Have you ever felt like Joseph in Egypt? The only thing Joseph is not in charge of is Potiphar's food. Jodi has a passion for Biblical ac More. But one of them has to be reconciliation and forgiveness. Deep down, we want things to be fair. 39-3: Potiphar did NOT believe his wife's accusation about Joseph By richoka 5 Comments When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. Its Satans goal to rob God of the worship that God deserves, because Satan is so jealous of God. Have you ever been the only one who followed God on your team, or in your class at school? God was in Canaan with Jacob and in Egypt with Joseph at the same time. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. We can only guess what happened to her in the future. 29. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. How did the Egyptians fall into this trap? Consequently, Potiphar's wife would have been a woman of significant . 1. p. 392, ed. How has God used seemingly bad thingslike trials and temptationsfor your good? In what ways, have you, at times, compromised out of fear of the cost? Naturally Potiphar was angered beyond words. Joseph, ignore this. Remember that you are NEVER alone! My master hasn't held anything back from me, except you. He made him accountable for everything that was done there. [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. Gods perfect plan for marriage has always been one man and one woman together for their lifetime. Some Bible translations (such as NIrV) are very explicit in the wording of her offer. 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. Potiphars wifes frustration with seducing Joseph lights up her anger. 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. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife: 'Behold, my master, having me, knoweth not what is in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand; he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife. 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. Potiphars wife makes a go of seducing this handsome young servant but is unsuccessful in leading Joseph astray. Its OK! This is one of the ways Satan makes evil attractivehe rebrands it, like a great businessman. Everything that Joseph did prospered. Say: Joseph had grown up in the land that God had promised to his great-grandfather, Abraham. Its meant to be celebrated! 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). Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. When they dont know the true God, they make up their own idea of what God must be. 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. God gave him great leadership skills and other blessings. (1) When it says, he became furious (v. 19), it does not say that he became furious at Joseph. 40-4: How was Joseph able to remain so strong in his faith? We must remember that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. I have chosen Sforno's translation, since it's one of the more concise ones. Are you giving thanks or becoming bitter? . That would suppress who you really are! Their jealousy grew and grew until some of them wanted to kill Joseph. When you face temptation, abide in God. This was preparing him to lead all of Egypt. Potiphar's wife and her interactions with Joseph provide one of the most dramatic stories in the early Old Testament. Often Christians compartmentalize their life: certain deceptions are OK, and others are not. Sin is not the end game of temptationdestruction is. We dont want to grieve Gods heart; we dont want to lose his favor and empowerment to serve others. 2007BibleLessons4Kidz.com All rights reserved worldwide. Ask: Do you think he felt afraid or lonely? While Andrews novel is a work of fiction, Potiphars wife was very likely a neglected, lonely, and unhappy trophy wife. For this, he insists, it is true of any person's deep love for another. Jacob was broken-hearted to lose his favorite son. All rights reserved. The astrological calculations however were slightly off. Unless otherwise noted the Scriptures taken from: Holy Bible, New International Readers Version, (NIrV). Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that he [i.e., al-Azeez] should surely imprison him for a time. 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. Genesis (Ge 39:710). Men and women can overcome the temptation to be unfaithful to their partner and God. And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. Its normal. "Zuleikha" redirects here. During this trial, he was learning humility, as he was no longer Jacobs favored sonhe was now a slave. 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. Potiphar's wife was not. Actually, yes. As I went to search for some Advil, I stopped to ponder Potiphar's wife and Joseph. From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptians household for Josephs sake. God was enabling him to be strong and wise. What God does not bless is Potiphars wifes pursuit of Joseph, even though she is much higher in social status than Joseph. Potiphar doesn't believe his wife's claim that Joseph tried to rape her. - Genesis 39:3-6a. However, Christ says to be angry is morally equivalent to murder (Matt 5:21-22)! When Joseph's master (Potiphar) heard her story, he became very angry. Lets face it; there is enough food in my kitchen to keep that mouse fat and happy for his entire life. Remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Potiphar's wife, though unnamed, played a significant role in Joseph's journey from favored son to powerful leader in Egypt. So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. 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). And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: 'Lie with me.' Thank God, He sees people differently from how we see people. You cant hold it in. I would put a piece of cheese in this trap - the smellier the better! Application Question: When tempted, how often do you consider the consequences of sin? Did Potiphar believe his wife? One day, Joseph went to the house to take care of his duties. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The typical punishment for rape/attempted rape was the death penalty. He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. Potiphar may also be protecting his ego by not admitting his wife strayed from him. Just the opposite, Joseph was content with all that God had blessed him with.

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