Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God, so where do all of these other gods come from? How should Christians overcome this reprogramming? 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). Joseph, we remember, is the future leader and current visionary of the Jewish people in bondage in Egypt. 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. Betty Dunn hopes her articles help you hold hands with God, a theme in her self-published memoirMedusa. She goes by the moniker Potiphars wife, but she does not act like a godly wife, whose virtues are praised in Proverbs 31. Well need to be more disciplined with our time and money. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. This seems so unfair! And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. There is no other God except Me.. He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. 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. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More. 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, Israel, listen to me. He experienced sexual temptation from his masters wife, which is the major temptation in this narrative. Obviously, Potiphars wife wasnt used to being rejected and wouldnt take no for an answer. Thank God, He sees people differently from how we see people. Two credible sources, the Quran and Louis Ginzbergs study Legends of the Jews, name Potiphars wife Zuleika, which sounds like a wily woman. He didnt know how, but Joseph knew that God was going to exalt him, and his family would bow to him. A story about Zuleikha is told in Sefer haYashar, where she was mocked by other aristocratic Egyptian ladies, her circle of friends, for being infatuated with a Hebrew slave boy. What Makes Makoto Fujimura a Great Christian Artist? What Satan means for bad, God is going to use for your good (cf. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: 'Lie with me.' She attempted to sleep with him many times, but Joseph continually refused. This is repeated four times in verses 4 to 6 for emphasis. One day she asked him to act like her boyfriend! So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. It is clear that Joseph trusted God and wasnt bitter towards him, which would have hindered Gods blessings. 34-1: Dinah, a daughter of Israel, is raped by a Canaanite! In Margaret Atwood's The Testaments, the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale,Potiphor's wife is referred to in Chapter 46 of the Ardua Hall Holograph storyline as narrated by Aunt Lydia. The only way to tell the truth apart from Satans lies is to know Gods word. When successful, well need greater accountabilitypeople to speak into our lives and hold us accountable. Remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44). There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (NLT) Even though Satan is powerful, God is immeasurably more powerful. But Joseph was not alone! Teacher: Show the mousetrap. A slave, a Hebrew slave no less, had attempted to violate his wife. He defines Gods discipline as hardship. He doesnt even qualify whether the hardship is from the devil, humans, or God himself. is potiphar and potiphera the same person This is, of course, Potiphar's household. When you truly live a God-centered life, those around you will be able to tell that you are different (Philippians 2:15). In this very difficult time, God poured out grace on Joseph that was like a big warm hug. According to monumental evidence (Wilkinson's ' Ancient Egyptians,' vol. Say: Joseph wasnt alone because God was with Him. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Its terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed. What Do We Know about Potiphar's Wife? - Christianity.com She may have lied in other areas to protect her high position. Potiphar puts him in charge of his household and entrusts everything into his care. Remember that Satans lies are nothing more than stinky cheese! So . When you face temptation, abide in God. He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. Potiphars wifes frustration with seducing Joseph lights up her anger. The circumstantial evidence seems to point to the fact that Potiphar believed Joseph was righteousthough he had to punish him in some manner. She attempted to sexually assault Joseph who, as a slave, could never have truly consented. 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. It is very similar with Satan. Thats what Israel didcausing them to miss Gods blessing in their trial and instead experience his wrath. How can we conquer temptation? 9. Sometimes, the evilness of sin is lowered by calling it a disease. Gods plans, though mysterious and unpredictable, are always good. Ask: Do you think he felt afraid or lonely? This is the very reason many people fall into temptation. 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. 10 Things We Know About Potiphar: There is nowhere you can go where God cannot go with you (Psalm 139:7-12). Canaan. How do we know this? Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! "There are several important morals to the story of Joseph, and many types for our day. 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. We are not to entertain sin through the radio or TVdeclaring how strong we are and how it doesnt affect us. Because Joseph submitted to God in the test and trusted Gods promises to him, he received Gods blessing. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Deep down, we want things to be fair. He was in the midst of idolatry. How has God called you to at times pay a price for following God? God is everywhere. They sold Joseph to a very important Egyptian man. [15] She is deemed an extension of her husband's property and is thus subservient to "the . Knowing right from wrong may not stop us from acting sinfully. From that time on, the Lord blessed Potiphar's family and servants because of Joseph. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." God wants you to believe Him - to TRUST HIM - and live! You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Joseph refused Potiphar's wife even after multiple advances, day after day. Boldly ask for the grace to say NO to sin. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. An Egyptian named Potiphar had bought him from the Ishmaelite traders who had taken him there. In a fascinating novel on Potiphars wife by Mesu Andrews based on Genesis 39, the author depicts Potiphars wife as the daughter of a king and the wife of a prince. Joseph says in Genesis 39:9: No one is greater in this house than I am. No doubt a no-nonsense type of man, Potiphar is also twice his wifes age. Key Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. The cost of sin is too much. To give in to Potiphars wife would have ruined his relationships with Potiphar and God. Genesis - NIV Application Commentary by John Walton. God is with you. It will be fun! Eight times Yahweh is mentioned in this chapter. Potiphar's Wife - BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement]. To fight this temptation, Joseph not only refused but also stopped being around her. The Lord! Say: Joseph had grown up in the land that God had promised to his great-grandfather, Abraham. Joseph ran awayleaving his outer garment in her hand. But Joseph refused to spend any time with her. 27-4: Who are the descendants of Esau today? In all these temptations, God was faithful to provide ways of escape, and he does the same for us. With success, comes more temptations, and therefore we must be even more disciplined if God allows those opportunities. The Bible says, They traded the truth about God for a lie. 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. Who was Potiphar's Wife in the Bible? - viralbeliever.com He didnt look at her or even listen to her. 37-1: Why isn't Joseph considered a Patriarch? 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. For Joseph, it was probably initially intimidating working for Potiphar. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity: How Did the Apostle Paul Die?Who are the Nicolaitans in Revelation?Who Was Deborah in the Bible?Who Was Moses in the Bible? Joseph and Potiphar's Wife: A Study of Moral Ambivalence Gods grace gives you power when Satan tries to tempt you. The answer is actually quite logical. Say: When we left our story, Joseph was in a heap of trouble. So I need to distract it. Genesis 39. Their jealousy grew and grew until some of them wanted to kill Joseph. God was intimately involved in every detail of Josephs life. Potiphar's wife accused him of raping her, so he did it to make his wife happy. When people look at the world around them, they can tell that there is a powerful God who created everything (Romans 1:20). (2) The consequence for adultery would normally be execution. We also know that Potiphar was smart enough to recognize a good thing when he saw it. 40-1: Was Joseph really kept in a "prison"? Potiphar's wife stands out, however, as perhaps the evilest nameless woman in the Bible. His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful. The writer of Hebrews warns against scorning or becoming upset at Gods discipline. Here in a cold prison, God continued to use Joseph. Running Away - A Bible Class on Joseph's Fleeing from Potiphar's Wife If we are going to conquer temptation, we must especially guard ourselves in times of promotion or success. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." She may have gloated over Josephs arrest and limitless prison sentence. 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. (Genesis 39:10) Potiphar's wife, however, was a determined seductress. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. What is the story of Joseph and Potiphar? | GotQuestions.org According to the Quran, her name is Zuleika. Then she made up a big lie about him (John 8:44). Meanwhile, the traders who had bought Joseph traveled to Egypt. He was in charge of whatever they were doing. Say: God did NOT abandon Joseph! He was one of four men the Bible describes in this way, including Saul, David, and Absalom. And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allh! One day he went into the house to do his work when none of the household servants were there in the house. She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. Do you think Joseph will be all alone this time? Wives often were lonely, and some sought the love they lacked outside of the marriage. 4 Swindoll, Charles (1998-12-03). 7 Hughes, R. K. (2004). 40-3: Two similar dreams with two totally different outcomes! He was loyal to the people who had been kind to him. The Bible does not report this. The test that Joseph faced was very similar to the temptation that Adam and Eve faced in the Garden of Eden. Following this incident, her contemporaries no longer mocked her. When he became successful, undoubtedly, he experienced temptations towards pride and independence from God. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. So he put Joseph in prison. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. 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. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon. The typical punishment for rape/attempted rape was the death penalty. If we dont hate it, then it will linger in our lives. 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. All rights reserved worldwide. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you? Potiphar - Wikipedia By Gods grace, Joseph did not become bitter, holding onto his anger as his brothers had done. He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. How could I sin against God?" The price could be loneliness, being made fun of, losing ones job, or even losing ones life. Her lust overrules any fear of punishment or social stigma she might endure due to seducing Joseph. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. Potiphar's wife has no children and does not seem to love her husband. The text says that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned. Application: Just like Joseph, we live in a time and place where many of the people around us dont know the one true God. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. Potiphar withheld nothing from Joseph, except his wife. In fact, its in those times that God pours out an extra measure of grace on you. It would seem that his judgment should have been swift and brutal if, indeed, Joseph had sexually assaulted her. It is meant to mature us for our calling, as James said, and thats exactly what God was doing with Joseph. Jodi has a passion for Biblical ac More. Application Question: Why is it important to see God as sovereign over trials and temptations in order to be faithful in them (cf. However, the account of Joseph and Potiphar changes when Potiphar's wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. Potiphar's Wife Q&A - Part II (Truth, Facts, or Fiction) 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 ). This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. Others might turn away from Christ altogether. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Sin drastically affects us and others around us. Do you think that this situation was out of Gods control? Joseph had lost his masters respect and he was forced to become lower than a slave - he became a PRISONER. Joseph flees from her advances, losing his cloak as he escapes her grip on him. 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, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. However, Christ says to be angry is morally equivalent to murder (Matt 5:21-22)! He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) Considering the consequences of our sin is a wise practice. The transfer of Joseph from the house to the adjoining prison would be quietly managed, and then no more need be said about an ugly business. 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. Finally, in Genesis 40:4, Potiphar entrusted Pharaohs prisoners to Josephs care. His name meant devoted to the sun, which demonstrated his pagan, religious background.1 He was captain of Pharaohs bodyguard, which was a prestigious position. 39. From the Penthouse to the Prison (Genesis 39:1-23) The LORD was with Joseph. She lies to her husband, and when he throws Joseph in prison, she probably imagines it will be the end of Josephs life.
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