The Lord is with Joseph (Genesis 39:2). This lesson of Joseph’s temptation, false accusation and resulting imprisonment leads to more adventures that turn to Joseph’s advantage, as the Lord continues to be with him. Ultimately, we see the hand of God lead Joseph to the place where God can best use him for his family and his nation.
Given this big picture of the life of Joseph, it is tempting to teach this lesson as simply another example—like being thrown into the pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:21-33) and being forgotten in prison by the chief cupbearer (Genesis 40:23)—of the terrible circumstance out of which Joseph victoriously arises. That of course is true—when the spurned wife of Potiphar accuses Joseph of attempted rape (vv. 16-18), Joseph is indeed thrown into prison (vv. 19-20). Even there, “the Lord was with him” (v. 21).
It is important, however, not to miss the trees in that forest. The big picture is crucial, but there is an individual lesson here of Joseph’s faithfulness through and in spite of the luring of Potiphar’s wife.
Joseph is “well-built and handsome (verse 6),” and Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce him. One only has to look back one page to chapter 38 to understand the near-barbaric sexual mores that surrounded Joseph at this time; a decision not to live a life of chaste faithfulness would certainly not be unexpected.
Joseph cites three reasons for choosing to resist the advances. Each of these three is instructive to us as we deal with the temptations that surely come.
Joseph is a man of position (v. 8)
The temptation put before Joseph is common. Joseph is not, and he knows he is not. The Lord is with him, and as a result he has quickly risen to the place of command in the household (vv. 5-6). As Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker, “with great power comes great responsibility.” That sentiment was not created for the “Spiderman” movie; Joseph recognizes its truth immediately. He has a position that is not worth threatening. He has honor that is not to be debased. He has power that must not be abused.
So, too, do we, followers who choose to bear the name of Christ, have a position to consider. It is cliché to say our actions speak louder than our words … that we are “writing a Bible each day by the things that we do.” Things generally become cliché because they are true, and it is indisputable that our position in the discipleship of Christ carries with it responsibilities.
Even if we are never “caught,” there are things we do not do simply because they are inappropriate for us, because of who we are and because of whose we are. Like Joseph, the “Master has entrusted much” to us (v. 8), and we are fools to disregard that in favor of a passing worldly offering.
Joseph is the recipient of much generosity (v. 9)
Potiphar has withheld nothing from Joseph except his wife. To take her would be the extreme act of selfishness. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, Joseph has been given many beautiful and worthy gifts. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, Joseph knows of only one thing before him that is off limits. Unlike Adam and Eve in the garden, Joseph has the good sense to recognize and honor those limits.
Temptation sometimes strikes us where we are lacking. The devil tempts Jesus with turning stones into bread when Jesus is at his hungriest, after 40 days of fasting (Matthew 4:2-3). Temptation often, on the other hand, slithers into our plenty, telling us that we deserve whatever our eye sees. When we have been given much, it can be easy for us to take even more.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Like Joseph, Paul teaches us to be content in what we are given (Philippians 4:11-13). True contentment in the gifts of God becomes an antidote to the temptations of this world aimed at our selfishness.
Joseph does not want to sin against God (v. 9)
The idea of sin has not been fleshed out much in Genesis prior to the story of Joseph. We have seen the idea of “sin crouching at the door” in God’s conversation with Cain (4:7). The people of Noah’s pre-flood generation are described as “evil” (6:5), but the actual term “sin” is not used again until the description of the actions in Sodom and Gomorrah (13:13). God tells Abimalech that had he taken Sarah, the wife of Abraham, he would have committed a sin (20:6). Jacob uses the word “sin” in talking with Laban, although it is not clear that Jacob understands sin to be related to a relationship with God (31:36).
For Joseph, then, to comprehend adultery to be a “sin” shows a great depth of understanding of his relationship with God. This is not something Scripture shows us has been handed down to Joseph by his fathers. This insight is Joseph’s own, undoubtedly arising because “the Lord is with him.”
Sin is, as Joseph says, “against God” (Psalm 51:4). Giving in to the seduction would harm Potiphar and probably others, but the sin would be against God. Joseph recognizes this, understands sinning against God would be a “wicked” thing, and chooses the right path.
No temptation comes to you that you cannot resist and for which God does not prepare a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Claiming that promise and understanding that temptation is calling on you to sin against God are the keys to resisting the temptation and to remaining faithful.
Let Joseph be your model.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.