35. 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. As we said, none of the people around Joseph followed the Lord. So I need to distract it. Finally, in Genesis 40:4, Potiphar entrusted Pharaohs prisoners to Josephs care. Jodi has over 20 years experience teaching children in large and small group settings. This narrative of Potiphars wife, her husband, and Joseph is more evidence that God can carry out His plan for us in any situation. Next week well see another twist in Gods incredible plan for Joseph. If we dont hate it, then it will linger in our lives. He will be beaten and despised, and his reproach will not be wiped away; When considering adultery, Solomon said the consequences last foreverthe reproach will never be wiped away. Ask: How many of you made a craft today? That's a pretty sobering story. Log in. So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. 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 ). How his brothers resented the special treatment their bratty little brother received. (Genesis 39:10) Potiphar's wife, however, was a determined seductress. Satan spends his days and nights setting traps to distract people from the truth (1 Peter 5:8). Does that suggest anything about what was going through Potiphar's mind as he threw Joseph in "the prison where the king's prisoners were confined" (v.20)? (2) The consequence for adultery would normally be execution. Teacher: Show the mousetrap. When a person goes through trials, he or she can be tempted to become bitter, to turn away from God and others. [3] It could be argued that the woman is trying to assert herself as a person who makes her own choices instead of remaining an object owned by her husband, and invites Joseph to join her in this action which the narrative frames as a 'sin'. Application Question: In what ways does the world and Satan aim to make sin more acceptable and less heinous? Christ was tempted, and well be tempted as well. 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." Having Joseph around was wonderful for Potiphar. Application Question: Why is it important to see God as sovereign over trials and temptations in order to be faithful in them (cf. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Remaining nameless might be something this devious woman desired! So . 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. Application: Ask: Have you ever felt like Joseph in Egypt? In the pagan world, adultery was normal. And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. 27. His life was different; he was set apart from the ungodly. Hebrews 4:16 says, So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. Husbands, especially if they were wealthy, commonly had concubines or mistresses. Joseph was a handsome young man, and he eventually caught the attention of Potiphar's wife. To congregations struggling with persecution, Peter said this: Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 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? 2 Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph (p. 24). The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. Well start to see how God used this terrible situation for good! Potiphars wife makes a go of seducing this handsome young servant but is unsuccessful in leading Joseph astray. The more we know God and his grace, the more it will help us reject godless ways and worldly desires. 29. However, the account of Joseph and Potiphar changes when Potiphar's wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. 32-3: Who was the "man" that Jacob wrestled? So he was there in the prison. Say: But, Here comes trouble. Joseph was faithful to God and resisted temptation. But God was with Joseph in everything he did. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. We are called to flee it, like Joseph. Say: Josephs brothers held on to their anger and bitterness. How could I sin against God?" He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. Verse 7. 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. They trusted Satan when he accused God of holding back something good from them, so they took what was forbidden. They worshipped a sun god, a moon god, a frog goddess, a fish goddess, a cow goddess, a beautiful cat goddess, the god of thunder, and hundreds more! 1S2-38: Only About Fifty Percent Of The New Testament Is God-Breathed. Even if you are reading a version with friendlier wording, children who are following along in their Bibles will come across wording that is not age-appropriate. 10 Things We Know About Potiphar: Bible Rape Let's assume that Joseph was totally blameless, that a rejected woman, in her anger, accused him falsely, and he was consequently thrown into prison. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden. As he ran out, she held onto his coat. Potiphar's response was predictable. The Bible says that there is only one true God. A person cannot stop God from fulfilling His plans. We are called to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (Jam 1:4). But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." We can discern this by two things: (1) If he were bitter about his family, bitter about being enslaved, and mad at God, it would have negatively affected his attitude while working, which would have kept him from being so quickly promoted. 40-1: Was Joseph really kept in a "prison"? On the other hand, the future for Potiphars wife does not look promising. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. 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. Satan has many lies for people to choose from, and he doesnt care which one they choose. Do you realize your trials and temptations are just ways God is preparing you for more? It is meant to develop righteousness in us and give us more peace, regardless of our circumstances. By His grace, God gave Joseph the power to say NO to sin (Titus 2:11-12). (4). This scenario doesnt seem likely if Potiphar believed his wifes accusations. She attempted to sexually assault Joseph who, as a slave, could never have truly consented. So Potiphar left everything he had in Josephs care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. 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. From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptians household for Josephs sake. The Lord! 33. They took his colorful coat, dipped it in the blood of a goat, and gave it to their father. All rights reserved. Potiphar's wife is never named in the biblical passagemerely referred to as , "wife of his [Joseph's] master" (vv. And thus We reward the doers of good. Say: When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he was sold to a man named Potiphar who was the captain of the guards at Pharaohs palace. 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. From the time he puts him in charge, the Lord blesses the household. 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. He must have been terrified to be around so many people who were so different from him and who didnt know anything about his God. The Lord is the one and only God., In Deuteronomy 32:39, God declares, Look! How has God used seemingly bad thingslike trials and temptationsfor your good? 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. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. But Joseph refused to spend any time with her. Gods perfect plan for marriage has always been one man and one woman together for their lifetime. . All rights reserved worldwide. The blessing of the Lord was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields. How then could I do this most wicked thing and sin before God?" Homosexuality is not an abomination like Scripture says. He made him his attendant. He experienced sexual temptation from his masters wife, which is the major temptation in this narrative. Considering the consequences of our sin is a wise practice. Now he was in a land where people believed in thousands of gods. Potiphar may also be protecting his ego by not admitting his wife strayed from him. That would suppress who you really are! This seems so unfair! It can no longer get to the real food supply, and I can do whatever I want with the mouse. If Potiphar's daughter is now marrying Joseph, Potiphar will be forced to support him. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. As we said, some people even believed he was a god. 34. Say: Here is a mouse trap. He put Joseph in charge of his house. Application Question: If Satan is always tempting us to not trust God so that well fall into sin, how can we increase our faith in God to stand? What evidence is there the Potiphar did not believe his wife? God blesses all of Josephs situationsfrom an empty well in Canaan to Potiphars lavish home with his bored, lustful wife to a dark prison cell. No, bc he should've killed him and instead he sent him to jail. How they plotted to kill him but sold him to a passing caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt. This is what she said to him: That Hebrew slave you brought to us tried to humiliate me, but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his outer garment and ran outside. When his master heard his wife say, This is the way your slave treated me, he became furious. Genesis - NIV Application Commentary by John Walton. Its meant to be celebrated! May be reproduced for personal, nonprofit, and non-commercial uses only. She is the wealthy seductress of young, rising star Joseph. While Andrews novel is a work of fiction, Potiphars wife was very likely a neglected, lonely, and unhappy trophy wife. It says she spoke to him day after day (v. 10). You can even get angry at God! Main Point: The Lord is with those who trust Him, even in the most difficult times. 9. Potiphar's wife is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. This is, of course, Potiphar's household. [] And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. Potiphars wife knows the ancient Egyptian punishment for a woman committing adultery was to have her nose cut off. Joseph ran awayleaving his outer garment in her hand. 37-1: Why isn't Joseph considered a Patriarch? Potiphars wifes frustration with seducing Joseph lights up her anger. She may have lied in other areas to protect her high position. God was with Joseph when he was the only believer in Egypt, and He will be with you wherever you go. E39-2: What was the purpose of the bells attached to the hem of the High Priest's robe? Satans desire is that we worship anything or everything - except the one true God. I would put a piece of cheese in this trap - the smellier the better! What Makes Makoto Fujimura a Great Christian Artist? So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:25 NLT). Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. Say: God blessed Joseph, and the blessings poured out over Potiphar, his family, and even his servants. 7, 8), or , "his wife" (v. 19). Boldly ask for the grace to say NO to sin. Most importantly, like Joseph, we must remember that participating in sin hurts God deeply. A former high school English teacher and editor, she works on writing projects from her home in West Michigan, where she enjoys woods, water, pets, and family. During this trial, he was learning humility, as he was no longer Jacobs favored sonhe was now a slave. Joseph was doing an excellent job in Egypt, but not through his own strength. Check out her blog atBetty by Elizabeth Dunning and her website,www.elizabethdunning-wix.com. L15-4: How are believers to stay away from the UNCLEAN, yet show Gods love to the UNCLEAN? 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. Gods grace gives you strength, peace, and even joy, in any situation (Romans 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:9). It seems quite likely that Potiphar did not believe his wife. When he became successful, undoubtedly, he experienced temptations towards pride and independence from God. 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. They not only protected Pharaoh, but when he was upset with somebody, they executed that person. 1. p. 392, ed. Application Question: Why is it important to practice integrity in little things to protect us from stumbling in bigger things? When I thought that God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against one who loved me so, and sought my good.5. The text says that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned. (1) When it says, he became furious (v. 19), it does not say that he became furious at Joseph. When he did, she sprung her trap. 3 Hughes, R. K. (2004). Joseph's reasons for not sleeping with Potiphar's wife are found in Genesis 39:8-9. Plus, my husband has many other women! 4 Swindoll, Charles (1998-12-03). Betty Dunn hopes her articles help you hold hands with God, a theme in her self-published memoirMedusa. Say: Now Joseph was in a new land with different smells, different tastes, different people, a different language, and different gods. 1. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. [Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. Paul relied on Gods grace to bring him strength and contentment in the most trying of circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). The Bible says, They traded the truth about God for a lie. God gave him great leadership skills and other blessings. 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. Potiphar's wife, though unnamed, played a significant role in Joseph's journey from favored son to powerful leader in Egypt. And Pharaohs most important official chose Joseph to be his slave. With success, comes more temptations, and therefore we must be even more disciplined if God allows those opportunities. Some dont want to get skipped over for promotion or shunned at their workplace, so they compromise with their peers. The only thing Joseph is not in charge of is Potiphar's food. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate" ( Genesis 39:3-6 ). Oh, getting drunk and abusing your wife, thats not your fault! 1 Cor 10:13, Jam 1:3-4, Heb 12:7)? The president. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. Kindle Edition. According to the Book of Genesis, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape after he rejected her sexual advances, resulting in his imprisonment. 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. [citation needed] The story of Yusuf and Zulaikha is a popular one in Islamic literature. In Genesis 39, we read the Hallmark Channel-worthy story of Potiphars wife making an attempt to seduce Joseph. Ask: Who can tell me why they were so jealous? He trusted Joseph and he no longer worried about running his home. This is a reason many people fall when temptation comes. We have Gods written Word! Ask: Do you think he felt afraid or lonely? Canaan. God was in Canaan with Jacob and in Egypt with Joseph at the same time. She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. If he had . So how could I do an evil thing like that? 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). 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). This is exactly how the world and Satan promote sin: It is not a great evil! grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; For this, he insists, it is true of any person's deep love for another. Men and women can overcome the temptation to be unfaithful to their partner and God. Joseph, ignore this. God blessed him and Potiphar could tell a distinct difference between Joseph and all those around him. Everyone and everything in Potiphars home was blessed because of Josephs God-centered life. She lies to her husband, and when he throws Joseph in prison, she probably imagines it will be the end of Josephs life. 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. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society / Used by permission of IBS-STL. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. The warden put all the prisoners under Josephs care. First Corinthians 10:13 implies that we all will experience temptation and, at the same time, be provided a way of escape. Although we LOVE for teachers to read from their Bibles, and for children to read along in theirs, in this case, it is best to paraphrase her words, and not read directly from the scripture. 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. After a while, Potiphars wife noticed Joseph. But he said no. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Lets read to find out: While Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him. Do you believe that God would go all the way down to a dingy dungeon to be with Joseph? Do you think Joseph will be all alone this time? 2007BibleLessons4Kidz.com All rights reserved worldwide. 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. He knew he was not only sinning against his master, but against God if he yielded to this temptation. Potiphars wife was not faithful to her husband or perhaps her pagan gods. Why did the most important official of the most important man in Egypt choose Joseph out of all the other slaves? Promiscuity is natural. He was in the midst of idolatry. Soon after these things, his masters wife took notice of Joseph and said, Have sex with me.. If not, you will eventually succumb to temptation and reap the consequences of it. 7 Hughes, R. K. (2004). 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. Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28). There is circumstantial evidence within the text that Potiphar didnt completely believe his wife. Application Question: What are some common costs of maintaining our integrity and conquering temptation? All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added. Unfortunately, this sudden fall has happened to many others as well. We all know how this works. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. According to Liz Higgins Curtis inBad Girls of the Bible, the name Zuleika means fair, brilliant, and lovely in Arabic. A few commentators have focused on the issue of who believed her. Also, Hebrews 12:5b-7 and 11 says. Ask: Does anyone remember the name of the Promised Land? The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. His integrity was preparing him for further exaltationto be second in command over Egypt. 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. 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). 3. One day she asked him to act like her boyfriend! Then you only have two choices. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. Jacob was broken-hearted to lose his favorite son. We have a longing for justice, because we are created in the image of a perfectly just God (Deuteronomy 32:4). We are not to entertain sin through the radio or TVdeclaring how strong we are and how it doesnt affect us. Many fail to submit to God in the midst of their trials and temptations and instead succumb to them. Genesis (Ge 39:710). She knew that Joseph would have to come inside in order to do his work. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. Potipher's Wife Is Not Joseph's Master. It is meant to mature us for our calling, as James said, and thats exactly what God was doing with Joseph. He oversees other prisoners and interprets their dreams and the prophetic dream of the king of Egypt. The story of Potiphar's wife has 3 parts: 1 We are in the household of a rich Egyptian man, Potiphar. What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? Sin is not the end game of temptationdestruction is. We might skim over this Bible passage that we know so well. Thomas Nelson. 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. Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement]. Thinking of its consequences will help us stand against temptation. Sometimes, God sends us places so that people who do not know Him will be able to see God through us. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More. 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. He was faithful with littlePotiphars housetherefore, it was easier to stand when tempted by his wife. Then she made up a big lie about him (John 8:44). Mrs. Potiphar quickly went from humiliation to rageleading her to frame Joseph. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned. She said, that Hebrew slave you brought to us tried to humiliate me (v. 17). God is working all things for our good and to make us into his Sons image (Rom 8:28-29). If we humble ourselves before God in our trials and temptations, he will lift us up as well. You can believe God and live, or you can believe Satan, and be caught in his trap. - Genesis 39:21a NLT, Attention teacher: The proposition of Potiphars wife to Joseph is very adult in nature. He was exalted in Potiphars house, and even after he became a prisoner, he was exalted again. On the other hand, she 'cast her eyes' upon Joseph and pursued him - planning in her heart to seduce him. Interpretation Question: Did Potiphar believe his wifes accusations? He learned the Egyptian language and customs. His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful. And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. He did not think he deserved more than God had given him. Your email address will not be published. "There are several important morals to the story of Joseph, and many types for our day. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants. Ask: Who was with Joseph? Youre a handsome guy! The judgment of Potiphar's wife was a story not found in the Bible, of course, and some contradictory traditions arose around it among ancient Christian commentators. When you face temptation, abide in God. Some Bible translations (such as NIrV) are very explicit in the wording of her offer. Application Question: Why is it so important to flee temptation instead of trying to faithfully endure it? This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. 36-6: Contradictions in Esau's genealogy? What God does with people and how people react is unpredictable, though. It sounds ridiculous, but that is what many people around the world do, even today. Say: The most important man in Egypt was Pharaoh. Also, it would be easier for him to stand when other major temptations would come while he oversaw matters in Egypt. Why it is so easy to compartmentalizeto say something like being unfaithful in schoolwork or taxes wont affect my faithfulness in bigger things, like marriage? [citation needed], Scholars such as Meir Sternberg (1985) characterise the woman's repetitive behaviour towards Joseph as sexual assault. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. When you truly live a God-centered life, those around you will be able to tell that you are different (Philippians 2:15). Jacob believed that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you? Who were the priests of On? And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.' Its Satans goal to rob God of the worship that God deserves, because Satan is so jealous of God. Joseph flees from her advances, losing his cloak as he escapes her grip on him. Gods grace can turn any situation around. 5 Guzik, D. (2013). It is also clear that Joseph was overseeing all the prisoners under the warden (Gen 39:22), not just Pharaohs special prisoners. Genesis (Ge 39:1). 40-2: The importance of dreams in ancient Egypt. Related Topics: Christian Life, Temptation, Greg Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. In the end, however, the situation ended badly for Joseph: Are you willing to trust what God says about your trialsthat he is using them for good? Two credible sources, the Quran and Louis Ginzbergs study Legends of the Jews, name Potiphars wife Zuleika, which sounds like a wily woman. I have chosen Sforno's translation, since it's one of the more concise ones. 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.

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