JOSEPH SERIES: FAILED SEDUCTION

After recognizing God’s presence and prosperity in Joseph’s life, Potiphar elevated Joseph to overseer of his household and entrusted him with all of his affairs.

Apparently, Joseph inherited his mom Rachel’s beauty for the Message Bible states in Genesis 39:6, “Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph, and one day said, Sleep with me.” However, Joseph told his mistress that he would not comply with her wishes because he respected Potiphar, who trusted with all that he had, and he feared God.

Potiphar’s wife was relentless in her pursuit of Joseph and daily confronted him. One day finding herself alone in the house with Joseph, she grabs his garment and says, “Lie with me.” However, Joseph escapes her grasp but leaves his garment in her hands. Not happy with Joseph’s continued rejection, she calls the other Egyptian men into the house and says, “See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.” Additionally, she repeated this scenario to Potiphar when he returned home. Since one of Potiphar’s primary responsibilities was supervising criminals’ execution, he could have executed Joseph; instead, he placed Joseph in the king’s prison for supposedly sexually assaulting his wife.

The scriptures reveal once again, Joseph’s capabilities and favorable relationship with God were noted by the warden of the jail, and eventually, he elevated Joseph and placed him over all matters pertaining to the prison.

In closing, as I did in the two previous blogs of this series, I will end with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember.

1. So far, in Joseph’s life story, we have not read of interaction between Joseph and God; however, in this chapter, we see Joseph feared God and was able to stand for what he believed amid hardship and testing.
2. Encumbered by religious superstitions, Egypt was a nation that believed in thousands of gods. Feeling alone, Joseph could have rejected the God of his ancestors and accepted the Egyptian gods, but he did not.  
3. Joseph’s relationship with God caused those connected with him to be blessed. It was noteworthy for Potiphar, a pagan, to recognize that God was with Joseph, and because of Joseph, he was blessed. People who may not be of the same religious faith as you; however, they can recognize the favor of God in your life. Recognition of someone’s gift can cause you to be blessed.
4. In his places of confinement, Joseph was successful because God was with him. Is God with you?
5. Just because someone’s socioeconomic status is lower than yours does not mean they can’t be a blessing to you. Treat everyone with respect.
6. The road to the fulfillment of his dream was not easy for Joseph. Joseph needed training and administrative skills for where God was taking him. Always remember there is preparation before promise.
7. The enemy will attempt to wear you down with his daily assault. Despite all obstacles, don’t give in to the enemy, remain firm, and committed to God.
8. Don’t sacrifice your purity and integrity to please others. Fleeing is better than failing and falling.
9. To all who will listen, the enemy will tell lies about you and wrongly accuse you.
10. Though it may not appear so, God has a plan.