Genesis 39:1
Joseph went down.
There are so many examples in the bible where the phrase 'went down' is used. Many times, it is a journey away from the will of God. In this case it is an extended stay in a place that is symbolic of the world. We see examples of Joseph functioning and thriving in that world but he is never at home in it. His priorities are different, his ethics are not the same as those he is living amongst.
Joseph is the seed of God's chosen race planted in the world. He went to Egypt as one, his family would join him later. They will come out a nation 430 years later. Of course, Joseph knows none of this.
Potiphar is a title and it means devoted to the sun. He was connected to a Egyptian religious system that worshipped the god Ra. Being the captain of the guard meant that he was the head of Pharaoh's security force. It's an interesting not that 'officer' is the word for eunuch. At that time it was commonplace for those closest to the kings to be eunuchs to show their complete devotion to him. The term became commonplace for those close to the king whether they were physically eunuchs or not, so we don't know for sure about Potiphar.
Genesis 39:2-6a
Joseph was not a victim.
The first thing we find out about Joseph in Egypt is that the Lord was with him. He was not limited by geography; he was not just in Bethel. Joseph would come to know the promise as his father did; the Lord didn't leave him and the Lord watched over him. We know the Lord gave him success and prospered him, but we must first recognize that Joseph didn't arrive in Egypt feeling sorry for himself. He arrived there under some pretty undesirable circumstances. He could have had a bad attitude and felt like the Lord had abandoned him. He could have claimed the devil was attacking him or the Lord was punishing him. But Joseph wasn't whining or complaining to God. Those who complain, play the victim, blame everything on the devil and complain about their circumstances, don't find favor in the eyes of the one they serve as Joseph had with Potiphar.
We have similar promises as disciples of Christ. He said He would never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20) and that nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
The heart of a servant.
Joseph had the humble heart of a servant. The master saw the Lord was with him, he saw the Lord was present in his life. He was found to be trustworthy. This is hardly the kinds of things we would anticipate anyone to say about a slave. However, the heart of a servant is a rare visitor but one that is welcomed anywhere.
While Joseph 'went down' to Egypt, his spirit did not 'go down' to a 'woe is me' attitude. Joseph placed his life in the hands of God. He stayed faithful in the Lord, even when circumstances were hard. His character and ethics did not change with his circumstances. This was something rare, something valuable and rarely seen. He was trustworthy, hardworking. He did the right thing regardless of who it benefitted. While he was blessed and successful, he was still a slave. As a Hebrew, he looked down on by Egyptians. Faithfulness to the precepts of the Lord brought a prosperity that seemed to follow Joseph. This is very similar to the way Laban was blessed by Jacob living in his presence.
Genesis 39:6b-7
Who would know?
Joseph was a good-looking guy. The NIV said she 'took notice' while the NKJV says she 'cast longing eyes'. The 'well-built' is also translated 'beautiful' and used to describe his mother Rachel. Potiphar's wife noticed this handsome Hebrew man and invited him to her bed. This was a pretty bold approach. Oh, it would be so easy for a 17-year-old to be flattered by this. He could have reasoned that he deserved some attention after all he'd been through. And this was the way of Egyptians. Fidelity wasn't part of a marriage there. Most 17-year-old young men aren't thinking of consequences or sin or of God. But there was a maturity and wisdom in Joseph's life, like a young man who had an encounter with God. It's as if he knew the proverbs:
My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord,
and he examines all your paths.
22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;
the cords of their sins hold them fast.
23 For lack of discipline they will die,
led astray by their own great folly. (Proverbs 5:1-6; 21-23)
Fruit of an encounter
I believe this discernment and wisdom is evidence of Joseph's encounter with God as he father spoke of God guarding his life and being with him no matter where he went. Joseph was trusting in the same and God guided his steps. Mrs. Potiphar batted her eyes at him and invited him to lie with her. What did she find attractive? Was it because he was different than others? Was she drawn to the godliness present in his life? We don't really know. Egyptian women, whether married or not, were not worried about being faithful and were known for their sexual immorality.
At this point we might speculate again whether Potiphar was a eunuch. It's possible the marriage was a political or ceremonial marriage of some sort that left his wife seeking a sex life in other places.
Genesis 39:8-10
Moral Character, previously established is present when it counts.
Joseph refused. The refusal was immediate and direct, leaving no doubt. He didn't dabble, flirt, or even pretend to consider it. He was not concerned with the hurting the feelings of the immoral woman. He was concerned with defying the responsibility that had been entrusted to him. He didn't want to disappoint Potiphar, but, in the end, he didn't want to sin against God.
She repeated sought after him, attempting to wear him down. She thought he would weaken over time or she would find an opening, an opportunity. Joseph not only refused here advances, but he also refused to be with her. He removed himself from the conflict and temptation. This is quite a contrast to Judah as we saw him in chapter 38.
Genesis 39:11-18
Apparently, most of the previous advances had been attempted with household servants present. On a particular day, probably a day when Joseph let down his guard, he found he was alone with ole 'longing eyes' herself. Before he realized it she had snatched ahold of his cloak to entice him. But Joseph left right away, leaving her holding his cloak. She apparently didn't take no for an answer. Now, she was angry, a woman scorned, and she decided to make Joseph pay for his rejection. She blames her husband for bringing in this 'Hebrew' to mock them. He uses the term Hebrew with negative connotation. She makes her accusations that Joseph tried to rape her.
Trust not the garment of the favored or that of a slave, but in God alone.
Mrs. Potiphar longing eyes kept the cloak to identify her attacker. Hebrews were looked down upon by Egyptians. She used his ethnicity as part of her accusation toward her husband. She said it was him who brought this Hebrew slave to make a fool of her. Joseph quickly went from a trusted household servant who ran everything to a 'Hebrew slave' accused of molestation. She used this personal item to make a false accusation against him. Contrast this to Tamar who used the personal items of Judah to make an accusation against him and saver herself from a false accusation.
This is the second time that Joseph's tunic was used in a conspiracy. The first as false evidence he was dead, the second as false evidence that he attacked Mrs. Potiphar. Both led him into circumstances beyond his control. All he could do was trust the Lord.
I can only wonder what the reactions of the men of her house might have been. I'm sure they knew the character of Joseph had always been above reproach. However, I imagine they knew all about Mrs. Potiphar's behaviors. This was not likely the first time she had been so bold. I can imagine these guys whispering to each other, "Yea, right, Joseph tried to rape her." as they rolled their eyes.
I wonder if jealousy of the respect and trust shown to Joseph came into play on this. Was she trying to bring him down by sleeping with him? Character, integrity and truth will always win out in the end. It was Joseph's moral integrity that forced her to make a false accusation instead of being able to make a truthful one.
Genesis 39:19-23
It seems Potiphar bought the story that his wife told and put Joseph in prison. However, he could have had his slave executed for this crime. There's a pretty good chance Potiphar didn't believe the accusation but dealt with it to keep peace in the home.
An Egyptian prison in 1500B.C. didn't offer a lot of comforts. In general, you had no rights, no advocate and no one who cared about you. Joseph was different because the Lord was with him there. He took the Lord to jail with him.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
16 He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;
17 and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
19 till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lord proved him true.
20 The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
21 He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
22 to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom. (Psalm 105:1-4; 16-22)
Prison Promotion
What was Joseph's response? We know that he was put in charge of the prison and all that was done. They don't normally give promotions to prisoners. No matter where he went, he stood out. He was different, a man transformed by God instead of conformed to the world. He wasn't given responsibility because he was pouting, defeated and playing a victim. The circumstances weren't what he expected. They changed fast. He worked with what was in front of him; to learn, serve work with the situation in which he found himself.
He's still here.
The Lord was right there with Joseph still. He was shown 'kindness'. This is unfailing, loyal love that is related to God's covenant faithfulness. He was shown favor by the warden. Even down in Egypt and down in the prison the Lord was there. His plan was completely intact. And Joseph wasn't too good to be a servant in a prison as a prison. This was part of Joseph's sanctification and preparation? He was elevated for a time and then brought low again to feel pain and suffering. Sound familiar?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We don't get to choose our circumstances?
Joseph would never have chosen being beaten, stripped and thrown into a pit by his brothers. He would not have chosen to be then sold to a passing caravan, although it was better than starving to death in a cistern. Joseph would have never chosen the path he was on.
We don't get to choose our circumstances, but we do get to choose how he respond to the situations of life. This is what we see with Joseph.
Joseph was not a victim. He had been beaten, kidnapped and abducted into slave trade. He could have easily felt sorry for himself, lived a defeated life and blamed God for not blessing him. But we read:
- "The Lord was with Joseph."
- "The Lord gave him success."
- The Lord blessed the household."
- The blessing of the Lord was on everything."
And that's just the first 5 verses. Yet, Joseph probably wasn't feeling too blessed. In fact, he may have been thinking about the dream God had showed him and wondered what that was about. How in the world could God make that dream come true when he had been sold off and enslaved?
God was preparing Joseph for that day and that time. It would be 22 years before his family came to bow before him. God was developing the character of Joseph. He would be tested and tried, battered and frustrated. In each test his faith would grow. In each trial he would find the Lord's faithfulness to deliver him through it.
Joseph stands as a profound contrast to Judah.
- In the Promised Land Judah compromised his faith and integrity by the gentiles and the gods. Joseph, in a gentile land full of gods, was faithful and uncompromising.
- Judah sinned and assumed no one got hurt if no one found him out. Joseph would not sin against God.
- Judah sold his brother off for the good of twenty shekels. Joseph would find the good that God purposed years later when he could take care of his family.
- Judah and the others abandoned Joseph without mercy; Joseph would be merciful to them and not abandon them when they are in need.
Joseph never complained. It's hard to imagine this 17-year-old having a good attitude about this adventure in his life. It would have been so easy for him to become acclimated to the Egyptian culture. Most would take on their gods, their lifestyle, dress, habits and so forth. Joseph remained a man of God.
Joseph didn't know God was writing scripture. He didn't know he was living out a multi-chapter story chocked full of lessons of faithfulness, commitment, morality, integrity an much more. Joseph was choosing to live life on God's terms. He had the audacity to believe God still cared about him and had not forsaken him. I think this goes back to when he was 13 years old and his father returned to Bethel, the place where he come when fleeing his brother. Joseph would have seen the stone on which his father had laid his head. He would have heard how God spoke the covenant promises as well as the promises of care to his father:
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15)
These lessons must have been pressed into the young man's heart. As a thirteen-year-old, he saw his father worship the Lord at Bethel. As Jacob met the Lord again at Bethel, I have to believe Joseph was near when the declared Himself as El Shaddai and again spoke the covenant promises into his life. God was preparing him to play a prominent role in the forming of a nation by which he would reveal himself to the world.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)
We can't control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them.
- Acknowledging God in all your ways has the promise that God will direct your steps.
- All means all! Everywhere. Good and bad.
- Our steps need guidance to avoid the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
- The world, a system and spiritual economy about 'here & now' as opposed to the Kingdom of God.
- The Flesh – what pleases me, my emotions, feelings and joy.
- The enemy – Satan, the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8).
- Serve our fellow man, as we serve God.
- Sometimes as we conduct our lives in God's way, that isn't acceptable to man. We must be committed to pleasing God first, accept the consequences to doing so and leave the rest to God.
- Godly character is the same, no matter where you are, no matter the circumstance.
- A secret sin is still a sin against God.
- When we realize we serve a big God, there is no small sin.
- Know when to fight and when to take flight.
- God doesn't need us to fight.
- But he will direct us to from time to time. Make sure its God's direction; we can tell by making sure it glorifies Him.
- An established pattern of character and integrity (who you are and how you act) are your best defense.
- This happens every day, day in and out. Showing respect to others, caring for them and about them. Being honest, wise and discerning.
©2019 Doug Ford
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Pr 5:1–6). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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