Potiphar's Wife: a story of temptation and how to resist it

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.

Lessons and examples of the story of Eve

Many people know who Eve is in the Bible. Eve is the first woman mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis, she is made from Adam’s rib as a companion and helper with him in the Garden of Eden. As Genesis 2:18 says “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Her name means “life giving” or “mother of all who have life.” She is also the one who is first tempted by the serpent. Is there more we can know about Eve and her story? There are lessons we can learn from her story. What can be learn from her sorrows and joy? What were her strengths and weaknesses?

Eve’s story begins in the Garden of Eden with Adam. There were no shadows, no disorder, and no discord or fear. Perfect harmony. She was in peace with God and her husband. She did not know the meaning of embarrassment, misunderstanding, pain, envy, bitterness, grief or guilt. Until one day, Satan disguised as the serpent (often depicted as a snake but was mostly likely a large lizard) came and she allowed doubt and desire to persuade her to eat from the forbidden tree. Suddenly, there was no more harmony in Eden and darkness and death entered the world. God punishes Eve and Adam with banishment. Eve is cursed with pain in childbirth and Adam is cursed with a lifetime of hard labor. After they leave the garden, Eve gives birth to a son, Cain, who would later murder his brother, Abel, with jealousy in his heart. When the Bible last speaks of Eve, she is a woman in anguish as she gives birth to another son, Seth (Genesis 4:25). Her death is not recorded in the Scriptures.

Her main sorrow was she and Adam were banished from Paradise and the presence of God. She would know anguish as her eldest son killed his younger brother in jealousy. But joy? What joy did Eve have? God promised that her offspring would eventually destroy her enemy. Genesis 3:15 says, “And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” Imbedded in this verse is the promise of a Redeemer, a Savior. This verse is a foreshadowing of Jesus as God reveals his plan to defeat Satan and offer salvation to the world. The phrase, “you will strike his heel,” refers to Satan’s repeated attempts to defeat Jesus during his lifetime and “he will crush your head” refers to Jesus’s defeat of Satan by rising from the dead. Even after their punishment, God still cared for them and formulated a plan to undo their sin. The lesson here is that despite our sin and our inevitable physical death, God’s grace and mercy are the most beautiful gifts. Despite being at our lowest, suffering from the consequences of our sin, God’s grace is still at work within us.

We know Eve’s strengths as the first female. The first wife and mother. She recognizes that life is in God’s control as she proclaims, “With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man” (Genesis 4:1). She had a relationship with God and with her husband as she had co-responsibility over creation with him. Unfortunately, she is better known for her mistakes. She allowed her contentment to be undermined. She was willing to accept Satan’s argument without checking with God. She ignored what she knew God had done and focused on what he withheld. Sound familiar? How often do we focus on what we don’t have and rail against God instead of focusing on praising Him for what He has provided? Our desires, the “I’ve got to have it now” feeling keeps us very manipulated and easily influenced by factors other than God. When confronted by God for her sin, she blamed others, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13), rather than take responsibility for her actions. 

In conclusion, Eve is an example of how we can be deceived when we take our eyes off God and His promises. How much our lives can be misled when we turned to ourselves instead of turning to Him. She is also an example of the great promise God gave us in Jesus. A Redeemer to rid ourselves and the world of Satan’s deceptions. Eve is an example of when godly people do ungodly things. That despite knowing better, their desire, their lack of judgment or they let their emotions overrun their rational thought and they do things they knew they shouldn’t do. Eve is an example of what happens we let our guard down and let Satan whisper in our ears and hearts.

The book of Matthew: a few lessons from Jesus

Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first Gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew was one of the twelve disciples who was a tax collector named Levi before Jesus called to follow him. His purpose in writing this gospel was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal King especially to the Jews as he begins with the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to David to his earthly father, Joseph. Jesus began his ministry at the age of 30 and taught nonstop for three years. With so much information and lesson in this book alone that I could discuss, I wasn’t sure what to discuss. I will discuss four segments which spoke to me as I read it. Illustration in how to fight temptation, a lesson in prayer, a lesson in what is required to follow Christ and a command to remain watchful and prepare for his second coming.

First, Satan tempts Jesus in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert where he’d be tempted by the devil (verse 1). After he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights (verses 2), Satan arrived with the first of three temptations. The first temptation was “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” (verse 3). Since Jesus has fasted, he was incredibly hungry and this would be a great temptation. Jesus answers “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (verse 4). This is in reference to Deuteronomy 8:3.  Temptation number 2, Satan takes Jesus to the highest point on the temple and says “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angers concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’” (verse 5-6). Satan is referring to Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus answers “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (verse 7) which is referring to Deuteronomy 6:16. The final temptation is when Satan takes Jesus to a very high mountain from which they can see all kingdoms and splendor, “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me” (verses 8-9). Jesus’s reply is swift “Anyway from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’” (verse 10), referring to Deuteronomy 6:13. What’s the point? First, Satan knows the Word of God too. So just because someone has biblical knowledge doesn’t mean he or she is a true believer. Second, Jesus responds with the Word of God, giving us an example why it is important that we know the Word too. It is our best defense against temptations.

Second, Jesus teaches about prayer in Matthew 6:5-13. First, he tell us to pray unseen (verse 5). Do not make a spectacle or a big production about it. I am reminded of this verse when people argue that we need prayer back in schools. I say prayer never left because prayers are still being said in schools today. It is just not a school led activity and it shouldn’t be. Prayer is a private act of worship. There are different examples of when prayer is said aloud like in church or as a family at dinner; however, overall, prayer is a private petition between God and a believer. Second, Jesus tells us that before we ask, the Lord already knows what we need, so there’s no need to babble with many words (verses 7-8). He then gives us a prayer that is known as The Lord’s Prayer (verses 9-13). “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (verse 9) acknowledges God’s holiness as well as his personal and loving relationship with us. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (verse 10) is a reference to God’s spiritual reign as well as praying that God’s purpose be enacted in this world as it is done in heaven. “Give us today our daily bread” (verse 11) acknowledges that God is our provider of all we have. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (verse 12) asks God to forgive us as we forgive others. “Debts” would be sins not just financial debts but hurts and wrongs done against God and against us. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’ (verse 13) is asking for God’s protection against temptation, to recognize it when we will inevitably come across it. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, think about what each verse means and feel the power and importance in those words. There’s great meaning in this simple prayer.

Third, Jesus eats with sinners at Matthew’s house in Matthew 9:9-13. These verses tell the story of how Matthew is called by Jesus to follow him and he does (verse 9). Matthew had a dinner at his house for Jesus, his disciples and other “sinners” (quotations appear in my Bible) (verse 10). The Pharisees (a Jewish religious group that avidly followed the Old Testament laws) saw this and asked why Jesus was eating with such men? Jesus replied “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (verse 12-13). “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” is in reference to Hosea 6:6 when God didn’t want just the rituals, he wanted the people’s hearts. The rituals were more than just actions to appease God, there are ways to connect with God. When a ritual is done without one’s heart, the ritual becomes empty and a mockery. Like going through the motions because of habit or you are required do, rather than because you want and need to. Like a Catholic who goes to Confession because it’s the day to do so rather than the need to seek forgiveness. By using this verse, Jesus is stating that he is more concerned with the people who need him, need forgiveness, need guidance especially the hurting and sinful ones and not appearances and the righteous. In order to reach those who need him, he needed to meet them where they are, eat with them, and teach them. With Jesus, you do not need to change before you can accept him as Lord and Savior. Follow him and he will help you do the changes needed. For Jesus said “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). He didn’t say “change your life, then follow me.” No, he said come. Come as you are.

Lastly, Jesus spoke about being watchful in Matthew 24:36-51. In these verses, he speaks about being watchful for his return because no one knows when that will be. Right off the bat in verse 36, he says “NO ONE knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father” (emphasis mine). So when someone claims to have the date that Christ will come and begin the end of days, pay him no mind because if God the Father doesn’t even tell his Son when that day will be, why would he tell a someone on Earth? Not knowing the date, keeps believers on their toes and continuing their work for Christ as they prepare and await his return. If we knew the date, wouldn’t we be lazy and wait until the date approaches to believe or spread the Word? In verses 40-41, Christ speaks about some people being taken and others being left behind. These verses are to illustrate how shift his second coming will be, Jesus commands us to keep watch (verse 42). And just as a homeowner doesn’t know when the thief will come to his house, we are to prepare for Jesus, as we do not know when he will come back (verse 43-44). Keeping watch and preparing for his coming doesn’t mean that believers can hoard food and hunker down in a bunker in the wilderness somewhere. No, it means to continue our work for Christ and live as if today will be our last. When the opportunity arises to share Christ’s love and gift of salvation, do so. When the opportunity arises to help your fellow man, extend your hand as Christ would. It doesn’t mean always mean money handouts for the needy. It includes acts of mercy to those who need it. Simple acts of kindness and love. As Christ said “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mind, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40) and “whatever you did not do for one of the lease of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 24:45). For you don’t know when Christ will return, our job isn’t done yet.

In conclusion, the gospel of Matthew is the longest book of the gospels. Jesus taught nonstop in the three years of his ministry whether it was to the disciples in a quiet place or to the crowds in a public place, he taught. It is an example for us. We don’t all need to be a pastor at the pulpit to spread God’s word. We are to know the Bible in order to fight temptation as Christ used the Bible to ward off Satan’s temptations. We are to pray with meaning, with faith and in a quiet place. We are to come to Christ as we are and as we live to follow his words, he will change us to be more like him. As followers of Christ, we are to continue to do his work here until his second coming. There are moments in our everyday lives in which we can extend Christ’s love to those who desperately need it.