Run Away | Bible Class on Joseph’s Fleeing from Potiphar’s Wife (Genesis 39:1-12)
This is an episode that we all know very well. Therefore, I believe it’s imperative that we carefully pause and read the text quite carefully. When we take our time with familiar texts, we often discover nuggets we haven’t noticed before. That, at least, is my experience. Therefore, we want to explore this passage and learn from it.
Joseph was taken down to Egypt and sold to an officer of Pharaoh, Potiphar. Potiphar in Hebrew is the shortened form of “Potiphera” meaning “he whom Ra gave.”
Potiphar seems to have been an important individual. He is “an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard.” There is also some evidence of Potiphar’s position from Joseph’s imprisonment. Joseph seems to have been imprisoned in Potiphar’s home. Genesis 40:1-3. If Pharaoh put two folks who offended him into the custody of Potiphar, Potiphar had to be a very powerful person. Therefore, God is orchestrating the deliverance of His people from the moment Joseph sets foot in Egypt (and, yes, even before).
How willingly would we allow God to use our lives like He did Joseph’s? I don’t think Joseph had any idea what was taking place in his life until after God had worked His plan. I also don’t know that Joseph had any choice in the matter. Herod, Pilate, Caiaphas, the Roman soldiers, and the crowd had no idea that they were fulfilling God’s plan when they crucified the Messiah (Acts 2:23). It’s not as if God gives us a choice to being a part of His story. However, we have a choice as to whether or not we will be willing participants. We, at times, have opportunities where we know we can know we are part of God’s “story.”
What are some ways that God might use our lives for his glory?
Scholars know from historical records that the events recorded here correspond very well to what was common in this time period. An Egyptian papyrus from the 18th century BC, gives the names of 80 slaves in a household and lists their occupations. Asian slaves fared far better than Egyptian slaves. Perhaps that partially explains why Joseph had a nice position.
Joseph was successful in Egypt because “the Lord was with him.” This phrase occurs three more times in this chapter (39:3, 21, 23). Does this mean that if we are faithful to the Lord that He will bless us in our occupations (cf Prov 10:22)?
It’s important to notice that God did not bless Joseph to bless Joseph. Instead, God blesses Joseph in order to bless Potiphar. Why would God seek to bless this pagan? Yahweh is being faithful to an earlier promise. He had promised Abraham (22:18), Isaac (26:4), and Jacob (28:14) that all the families of the earth would be blessed through their seed. How might God use us to be a blessing to others? What blessings might come by living intentionally to bless others!
“He (Potiphar) did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate” (v 6). That is a very literal rendering from the Hebrew. When I first read this, I’m thinking something like a “blind trust.” This appears, however, to give a false impression. Apparently, “did not know what he had” was an idiom of the ancient world. It refers to not having any concern. “He left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate” (Gen 39:6, ESV). Do we need to have concern for what we have?
“Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.” Scripture hardly ever describes someone’s physical appearance. What did Jesus look like? What about Paul? What about Peter? When we do read about someone’s physical appearance, that appearance matters to the narrative (e.g., David’s appearance).
Therefore, the fact that Joseph’s physical appearance is mentioned means it’s going to be important. We all know the importance of his physical appearance. How important is physical appearance in today’s world? Do we need to exercise caution in physical appearance?
Potiphar’s wife “cast longing eyes on Joseph” (v 7). Why might she have cast longing eyes on Joseph? What might prevent our casting longing eyes on someone?
I read that this is the only occurrence of a woman’s acting so brazenly in Scripture. I’m not so certain that I’d agree with that sentiment. Lot’s daughters, in my opinion, might have even acted worse.
Notice Joseph’s reply: “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (vv 8-9).
Joseph gives three reasons he cannot act on Mrs. Potiphar’s lust:
-
- It would be a gross abuse of trust;
- It would be a violation of her marriage vows;
- It would be a sin against God.
Why else is sexual sin wrong? Sexual sin is in a category all by itself. 1 Corinthians 6:15-19. What are some solid ways that we can prevent sexual sin in our own lives?
There is a tradition that states Mrs. Potiphar tormented Joseph for over a year. That comes down to us courtesy of the Book of Jubilees, an apocryphal book. We do know that this went on for an unknown period of time: “She spoke to Joseph day by day” (v 10).
Joseph had no choice but to work in Potiphar’s house. He’s a slave; he cannot simply move somewhere else. Would it be wise for us sometime to leave jobs, homes, etc., if we’re being tempted? Obviously, we need to do whatever we need to do to be faithful.
The text does not say that Joseph was tempted. It may very well have been that Joseph was such a staunch, moral person that this situation offered no temptation. Is it ever wise, though, for us to think we cannot be tempted by something?
Joseph went into the house in order to do his work. Notice that Moses does not leave Joseph’s intentions to doubt. He did not go in order to have contact with Potiphar’s wife–he went in to do his work.
Mrs. Potiphar grabbed Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” He left his garment and ran outside. This is going to be the second time that Joseph’s garment gets him in trouble. Joseph seems to give no regard to his garment. When is it wise to forget about material things and leave stuff behind?
It seems quite likely that Potiphar did not believe his wife. The typical punishment for rape/attempted rape was the death penalty. The fact that he cast Joseph into a prison that he operated from home (40:3-4) indicates that he really didn’t believe her tale.
This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Dale Ridge church of Christ in Roanoke, Virginia.