Word of the Day: Persistent
Refusing to give up or letting go; insistently repetitive or continuos.
We come to know this woman without a name in the Book of Genesis chapter 39. This lady was Potiphar's wife. Potiphar was an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. He had bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites.
Genesis 39:1
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
Joseph was a man of a great reputation, and the Lord was with him all the time. The devil was always on top of him trying to ruin his life, but had failed. So of course, the devil is going to try once again. Potiphar's wife a type of lady who was used to having and owning anything she wanted, and for this reason she thought it was appropriate to have Joseph as her lover. Joseph must have been a good looking man. We have to remember that his mother was Rachel who was a beautiful woman, so he probably got the good looks from his mother.
Genesis 29:17
…Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
Her brief biography starts in chapter 39:7 from the Book of Genesis when she has the nerve to ask Joseph to lie with her just because she wants to please her lusty flesh.
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.
Joseph being someone responsible and respectful responded to her by stating that her husband had entrusted him with everything. Meaning, that he was able to have anything from the house, but his wife. Joseph refused to lie with this woman. The first reason is that he had respect towards his master, and the other one was that he wanted to be right with his God.
Genesis 39:8–9
But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
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?
Temptations came to Joseph in many different ways, and this temptation was another one that he was not going to contemplate. This action was not going to be acceptable in society neither was God going to be pleased.
This woman was not a person who was not going to take no for an answer and persisted; but Joseph had great respect for her husband. There was a time when Joseph came into the house on a business purpose that he found himself alone with this lady. Once again, the lady asked him to lie with him. This is when he fled from the scene and he refused to be tempted by this lady, So, he just ran away. But the lady had a few pieces from his torn garment on her hands.
Genesis 39:11–13
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.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
What Joseph did not know is that he was going to be accused of rape by this woman. She had in her hands pieces of his torn garment, and showed them to the men in the house. She said that the Hebrew man which her husband had brought had raped her. Joseph suffered the unjust punishment of imprisonment. Potiphar had send him to prison, but the Lord was with him. Joseph had great courage and convictions from Above and knew that his actions were the proper ones. He just wanted to be right with God and men.
Genesis 39:14–15
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.
Genesis 39:20–23
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.
21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
Conclusion: Just a brief story of how temptations could come into our lives but this is a great example of how to respond when the temptation comes. God will always provide a way to scape. Joseph's life is a great example to show us that we are here to please God and not our flesh. Put on your running shoes when the temptation arrives!
I have added some verses down below for those who are not sure if heaven is your future home. Please share with me if you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior through this post. I will be happy to rejoice with you!
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:9–13
*Please let me know if this post has been a blessing to you through a comment, for it would be a blessing for me to know.
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