God Watches over Joseph
Adult 1 Sunday School Class Genesis 39:7-21a January 1, 2012
(Due to scheduling this lesson will be discussed on January 8, 2012)
Theme: Potiphar's wife aggressively petitions Joseph for sexual favors. Because of his loyalty to Potiphar and to God, he refuses: consequently, she accuses him of attempted rape and he is imprisoned. God stays with Joseph and he receives grace.
Understanding and Interpreting the Scriptures:
Please explain the meaning or significance of the following verses (responses are in bold print)
* Genesis 39:7, “And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me."
"And it came to pass after these things", translates that at this time and after all of the things that have happened to Joseph: sold into slavery by his brothers, later purchased by Potiphar, made the master of his master's house, found favor with God, and now being seduced by Potiphar's wife. "Lie with me", illustrated her desire to control Joseph, and not a demonstration of her love for him given their respective positions. Who would have thought that the first sexual harassment case in history would have had the woman as the harasser, rather than the man?
* V.8, "But he refused and said unto his master's wife, Behold my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he had committed all that he hath to my hand:" When offered the pleasures of sin, Joseph refused. This is what we should do in our life. However, many don't, and not only succumb to sin, but blatantly rush toward it. No one can guess why she wanted to seduce Joseph, for her husband could have provided all of her materialistic needs. One might ask was she satisfied with her husband, did she have to be reminded of her marital obligations by this Hebrew, and what could Joseph give to her that her husband could not? Joseph's moralistic code should be immolated by us all. Although it is not known the source of his belief, God was pleased with him and continued to show him favor.
* v.9 “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Because of his integrity, Joseph recognized his relationship with Potiphar, and his faithfulness to God. He was able to look beyond the "act", and to realize the future ramifications of it. The Hebrew word for "sin”, means to forfeit or abandon righteousness. When we sin, our failure is against God, who gives us the ability to say "no".
* v.10 " 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." There are opposing dynamics going on between Potiphar's wife and Joseph. "And it came to pass…", again means that things have happened up to this point, in which an explanation follows. She was doggedly relentless in continuing to pursue him day and night. "Hearkened not" indicates that he is not listening to her pleas of seduction. As determined as she was to seduce, Joseph was equally as determined to resist.
* v 11and 12, "And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12. And she caught him by his garment, saying lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." 11. It may seem that Potiphar's wife may have given up or that she had not been successful in her pursuit of Joseph. Since Moses writes that; “And it came to pass about this time…” meaning that time had passed but nothing has occurred up to this point. The remainder of the verse shows that either she had strategically planned to remove the other servants from her home, or that she was ready to take advantage of a prime opportunity when they were alone in the house. 12. She was brazen (bold and without shame). She was going to take by force what she wanted and nothing would stand in her way. This time she grabbed his tunic garment. He had two choices: to fight or flee. He walked out leaving her with the tunic in her hands, and his integrity in God's hands.
* v13, 14, 15 and 16, "And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14. That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying 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: 15. 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. 16. And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home." 13. Needless to say, Potiphar's wife was extremely mad. Not only had he repeatedly turned her down, but now he abruptly left leaving his tunic in her hands. At this time little did he know that this would be the second time that his garment would seal his fate. (When was the first time? Hint: Gen 37:31) 14. She calls the servants into the house and lays forth her plan of lies and deception against Joseph. She includes them in her plan and diverts attention from her treachery by blaming Potiphar for bringing the Hebrew into her house to mock (make fun of) her and Potiphar's household. "Hebrew servant" indicates a racial or religious slur to incite prejudice based on class. 15. Then she tells how she cried out in defense and Joseph ran out. 16. She kept Joseph's garment beside her as evidence of his alleged deed, as proof for her husband when he returned home. By the time Potiphar returns home, his wife has whipped up anger against Joseph with the servants to serve her purpose.
* v.17, 18, and 19, “And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18. And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying after this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled." 17. His wife states that the Hebrew servant whom Potiphar had brought into their house came to make fun of or to humiliate her. 18. What was the sole purpose of his wife's actions leading up to this point is uncertain. Was it to get him out of the house, her resentment of his faith, or that Joseph rebuffed her advances. 19. She blames her husband for bringing him into their home, when Potiphar could have used an Egyptian. She tries to remove the blame from herself, and direct it toward Joseph and to some extent, Potiphar. With seemingly overwhelming evidence, Potiphar did not probe for further answers and took her word for the incident. "…his wrath was kindled." , means he was furious at Joseph who he had trusted and now would seek to punish his new enemy.
* V.20 and 21a, "And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21a. But the Lord was with Joseph." Potiphar immediately had Joseph, without his explanation, put into the king's prison, reserved for his royal servants. Moses doesn't identify the other prisoners at this time. He was definite about one thing: "But the LORD was with Joseph." (Gen 21a)
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED
* We may face temptations, but we must possess the moral fortitude to resist.
* Joseph was wrongfully accused by a brazen woman who wanted to entice him into a sexual relation with his master's wife; but he resisted and due to her false testimony he was imprisoned. God gave him special grace and favor when he resisted sexual temptation and remained loyal to Potiphar and his God, because Jehovah Jireh was truly Joseph's provider.
* God is our provider, regardless of our dire situation, for those who are obedient to His Word and remain faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
1/1/12