Joseph’s Secret Life

• Review:

  • Joseph is in slavery – How hard is this on Joseph?

  • Another
  • Another
  • Another
• Joseph had every right to feel angry:
  • He had suffered because of his brother’s jealousy
  • Joseph has suffered in his life because of his dysfunctional family
  • Joseph’s own character may have been questionable

2Meanwhile…Back at the Ranch…

• The Chapter 38 question: Why is this included to break up a seemingly easily-flowing story? (Gen.38:6-11)

• The reader needs to know the amount of that is elapsing
• Time for Judah to
• Time for Jacob’s sons to
• Time for the son’s sons to
• Remember: Chapter 38 is included also because the last few chapters of Genesis are about Jacob’s story Gen.37:2
• The story of Judah and Tamar:
  • Notice the irony in these deceptions of chapter 38
  • Jacob’s children continue to live out their selfish ways
  • Judah takes a woman for himself (remember Abraham’s feelings on this?)
  • Judah seems terribly in both the Joseph and the Tamar situation
  • He was the one who suggested selling Joseph to make money
• He seemed indifferent to news of his two sons’ death Gen.38:7-10
  • He orders the burning of his daughter-in-law
• Perhaps there is hope for Judah’s redemption in his response to Tamar’s actions – she is right, I am wrong Gen.38:26

3Joseph’s Secret Life of Power and Temptation

• Potiphar was wealthy and became more wealthy by showing to one of Abraham’s descendants: a “blessing holder” Gen.39:5
• Joseph succeeded with assistance Gen.39:2
  • He was promoted to work indoors
• He pleased his master so that he became his personal attendant Gen.39:4
• He was eventually put in charge of the entire household & entrusted with all Potiphar’s possessions Gen.39:5-6
  • Slaves rising to this kind of was not common – God was behind the scenes the entire time
  • Such officials are often mentioned in Egyptian texts. They were in charge not “just of the house but the whole estate and all the property.”

4-Vergote, Joseph en Egypte, 25 [WBC, p.374]

• Eventually, Joseph became the one in charge of all the household affairs
• The only thing that Joseph didn’t have control over was the “ that Potiphar ” Gen.39:6
• The temptation “set-up” Gen.39:7-10
  • Joseph had AND good
  • Joseph had most likely endured over a long period of time
  • Even in her wording; “lie with me”; the implications are rather – (similar to “let’s go be alone for a little while”)
  • Joseph’s response to secret temptation
  • Joseph’s long worded response to her request shows his surprise disgusted reaction toward her proposal
  • Joseph was responsible to a

5Joseph’s “Reward” for Righteous Behavior

• One day, Potiphar’s wife finally had it with the “requests” Gen.39:11-12
  • She “grabbed” his garment (indicating a action)
  • Probably mid-calf shorts (like walking shorts)
  • Probably covered over with a tunic (like a long T-shirt)
  • Joseph “fled” (descriptive of running away from enemies to escape death)
• Potiphar’s wife lies about the incident to the other Gen.39:13-15
  • She could have been implicated in quite a touchy situation
  • She chose rather to

  • Who was she blaming for this incident even happening?

• Potiphar’s wife lies about the incident to Gen.39:16-20
  • She takes the time to wait there, reconstruct the scene, and bide her time for maximum on her husband
  • She again blames for the entire thing
  • Her words also indicate a hidden agenda on the behalf of Potiphar
  • Joseph went to for his “crime”
  • Usually, citizens were executed for this kind of crime
  • Joseph was not killed. For some reason he was only sent to prison

  • Perhaps this implicates the questionable character of Potiphar’s wife and his apprehension about believing her fully?

  • Some speculate this prison may have been managed by Potiphar himself
  • Conclusion
  • Joseph’s actions in this incident speak to his and to Yahweh
  • When Joseph is faced with temptation day after day, he does not grow , but in his resolve to be obedient to Yahweh

  • What were Joseph’s reasons for denying Potiphar’s wife?

  • Always
  • Always
  • “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
  • And her speech is smoother than oil;
  • But in the end she is bitter as gall,
  • Sharp as a double-edged sword.”
• Prov.5:3-4
  • /or/
  • “…Nor Hell hath a fury
  • Like a woman scorned.”

6-William Congreve

• adapted from: “The Mourning Bride”, act III
• Joseph: classic example of the righteous man suffering

• Who else in Scripture was righteous and yet had to endure suffering?

• However, in all suffering, we must look for the – the purpose of God
• Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
• 1 Pet.5:6