Potiphar’s Wife was not a nice woman. She was a prosperous and influential woman who was unfaithful and vindictive. Her name is never mentioned. She is just the spoiled, bored wife of Potiphar, a prosperous Egyptian official, a captain of Pharaoh’s executioners. She was ready to lie to protect herself and ruin an innocent man, all because she didn’t get what she wanted. Her advances toward Joseph, a slave, were rebuffed and her pride was wounded. She is featured briefly in the story of Joseph in Genesis 39:6-20. This story is an example in temptation and Joseph, an example of how to resist it. As well as Jesus, another example of how to resist temptations with the use of Scripture.
She determined to use her charms to seduce Joseph, the handsome, young Hebrew slave, in her husband’s household. At 17, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and Potiphar bought Joseph and gradually entrusted him with more and more responsibility. When his wife saw Joseph, she immediately wanted him and invited him into her bed. Joseph was quick to rebuff her advances and did his best to avoid being in her presence. Unfortunately, she would not take no for an answer. When Joseph refused one last time and ran away, he leaves his cloak behind. She then takes her “evidence” and accuses him of attempted rape. It is possible she accuses him out of fear that Joseph would tell Potiphar of her behavior. Or most likely, she accuses him into punish him. How dare he say no! Joseph was thrown into prison and we know the rest of his story. However, Potiphar’s wife is never mentioned again. She was a hollow woman who was fueled with the corrosive power of lust and hate.
When Joseph tells Potiphar’s wife no, he says “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). And when she later tells her husband and Potiphar is outraged that his trusted servant would do such a thing. He sends Joseph to prison when he could have easily sent him to his death. Why didn’t he? Did Potiphar know about his wife’s advantages and he knew Joseph was innocent? Did he throw him in prison instead of ordering his execution to save him? Was he forced to believe his wife over a slave? Whatever the reason for Potiphar’s decision to send Joseph to prison, God took away her “victory” and gave Joseph the blessing of an even higher status. After two years in prison, he comes before Pharaoh and can interpret his dreams when no one was able to (Genesis 41:14-32) and then given great responsibility with only the Pharaoh greater than him (Genesis 41:39-40). Whatever happens to Potiphar and his wife? Did she finally get caught in a web of lies? In tangled sheets? Did she eventually lose her wealth, status, and luxurious life? We may never know.
The resistance of temptation is at the center of this story. While Joseph did not have Scripture to tell him that it was a sin against God. For us, our example is Jesus as he uses Scripture to resist sin. Satan uses Scripture against Jesus in his weakness. In Matthew 4:1-12 and Luke 4:1-13, Jesus spends forty days and forty nights fasting in the desert. He was hungry, tired, and weak, ripe for Satan’s temptation. In his weakness, Jesus towards Scripture to battle against temptations. We can use Scripture for the same purpose. Satan tells him, “you’re hungry, make bread.” Jesus replies, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Satan then tells him, “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down, for God will command his angels concerning you (Psalm 91:11). Jesus answers him with “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16). Satan tries a third and final time and says, worship me and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rebukes him with “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13).
In conclusion, Potiphar’s wife wasn’t used to be told no and a young slave dared to do so. She takes her revenge by accusing him of a horrible crime. She taught she won; but God had other ideas. He took the virtuous Joseph and elevated him even higher than being a slave in an official’s household. Joseph becomes the highest man in the land, only answering to Pharaoh himself. What happens to Potiphar’s wife? The Bible is silent on the rest of her life, but we know that her desire to punish Joseph for his rebuff was used by God for his glory and purpose. While the story is an example of resisting temptation, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of resistance temptations to protect us and glorify God.
No comments:
Post a Comment