Genesis 39:1-18
Genesis 39:1-18
Our passage today involves Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Based on the passage, we know that Potiphar is the captain of Pharaoh's guard. The first 6 verses are covered in examples of how God is blessing Joseph:
Bottom line: Joseph was seeing great success because of God’s grace in his life.
While he was taking care of things around Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife began to make advances on Joseph because he was “handsome in form and appearance” (notice the similar language used to describe Joseph’s mother, Rachel in Gen. 29:17).
Why was Joseph so resistant to this temptation? It would be a sin, both against his master, but more importantly, against God. It is clear that Joseph had been humbled into a strong desire to obey God that prepared him for this temptation. And notice, too, that this was not just a one-time refusal, but something he had to resist “day after day” (verse 10). What a great reminder that temptation to sin does not go away easily!
These days of temptation culminated in Potiphar’s wife literally taking his garment and Joseph fleeing the scene. Being a student of the Old Testament, I wonder if Paul had this account in mind when he wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality…”
Three Takeaways
Discuss: What stood out to you from this passage?
By: Graham Withers
Our passage today involves Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Based on the passage, we know that Potiphar is the captain of Pharaoh's guard. The first 6 verses are covered in examples of how God is blessing Joseph:
- Joseph became successful because “the Lord was with him.”
- His master saw that the Lord was with him, so Joseph was made overseer of his entire house and all that he had.
- Everything was in Joseph’s charge.
Bottom line: Joseph was seeing great success because of God’s grace in his life.
While he was taking care of things around Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife began to make advances on Joseph because he was “handsome in form and appearance” (notice the similar language used to describe Joseph’s mother, Rachel in Gen. 29:17).
Why was Joseph so resistant to this temptation? It would be a sin, both against his master, but more importantly, against God. It is clear that Joseph had been humbled into a strong desire to obey God that prepared him for this temptation. And notice, too, that this was not just a one-time refusal, but something he had to resist “day after day” (verse 10). What a great reminder that temptation to sin does not go away easily!
These days of temptation culminated in Potiphar’s wife literally taking his garment and Joseph fleeing the scene. Being a student of the Old Testament, I wonder if Paul had this account in mind when he wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality…”
Three Takeaways
- The grace/blessing of God does not mean you are exempt from temptations and trials.
- Doing what is right does not always end with a positive outcome. (We don’t do what is right because of the outcome; we do it because it honors God).
- The example of Joseph is an example and type of Jesus, who would resist temptation so that he could die sinlessly on the cross for our sins.
Discuss: What stood out to you from this passage?
By: Graham Withers
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