Genesis 39
The wife of Potiphar was a
woman of very poor moral character, yet her part in the story of Joseph, shows
forth the power of a godly man to resist temptation, and ultimately find that
the hand of God was there all along, working together all things for good.
Joseph was the much-loved son of Jacob. But he was hated by his brother's because of a dream that Joseph had which involved them. Eventually the brothers sold Joseph to merchantmen for 20 pieces of silver, and Joseph was brought to Egypt. (Genesis 37:27-28) After Joseph was taken
to Egypt, he was bought by a man named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, "and
the LORD was with Joseph...."(Gen 39:2) And Joseph became
overseer of the house of Potiphar, and over all that he had. "And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had put into his hand." (Gen 39:3-4)
But it was in the
ultimate plan of God that Joseph would rise to an even more important position,
one that would ultimately reunite him with his brothers and his father, but
first Joseph would face temptation, and his faithfulness would be sorely
tested. That temptation came in the form of Potiphar's wife.
As Potiphar was an
important man, it is likely that his wife also enjoyed a position of importance,
and was no doubt used to having her commands obeyed under threat of imprisonment
or worse. As did Eve before her, and King David after her, she was tempted
with that which pleased the eye, in this case Joseph, who was "a goodly
person and well favoured" (Gen 39:6) It is at this point that
Potiphar's wife desires to commit adultery with Joseph, "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said 'Lie with me' (Gen. 39:7) We do not know if this was a regular habit with her, but
this is given for our instruction as it is in James 1:13-15 "Let no man
say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with
evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every mam is tempted when he is drawn away
of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth
forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
Surely this was a test allowed by God, but a temptation of the
devil. Proverbs 6:29, 32 "So he that goeth in to his neighbour's
wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. ..But whoso committeth
adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own
soul."
