Verses 1-2 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. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
This chapter brings the reader back to the historical account of the life of Joseph. Potiphar’s name means “belonging to the sun” and is reflective of Egyptian culture in which the worship of the sun was important. Most pagan societies worshiped the sun, the moon and the stars. Today this planetary worship is still alive and well in the occult practices of astrology and fortune telling. Notice the contrast in that while the Egyptians worshiped the creation, Joseph was protected and blessed by the Creator.
Verses 3-4 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
To find “grace” means to find favour or acceptance. Potiphar liked Joseph because he prospered and made Potiphar richer.
Application: Believers should work hard at whatever task is put before them and do all to please the LORD. Joseph was not born to be a slave and he could not have been happy with his lot at this particular time in his life, but he accepted his circumstances and did his best without complaint. Likewise, the believer may be in a job or career that is not pleasing and may be working with people who are difficult and unpleasant to be around, but life is a test and to pass the test the believer needs to do everything well and please the LORD, and like Joseph, do it without complaint.
Verses 5-6 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Potiphar eventually turned over all the running of his affairs to Joseph to the point that he no longer knew what his affairs entailed. Because God was with Joseph and because Joseph knew God, everything he did was blessed and profitable. Because Joseph knew God, he remained honest and trustworthy in a situation where he could have easily stolen from his master without being caught. Unlike his brothers, Joseph had character. He was neither a deceiver nor did he covet wealth. The Hebrew word translated as “goodly” is “yapheh” and it means fair, beautiful or handsome. Joseph was an attractive and well built young man.
Verses 7-9 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 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?
Because Joseph was young and handsome, he was a target for romantic entanglements by older women. Potiphar’s wife had influence and power. She was also wicked, willing to cheat on her husband in their own home. Joseph was put in an impossible position. Think about what you would do if placed in this predicament.
Application: Joseph was not willing to willfully sin because he viewed these actions as sinning against his God. So often the church world fails to teach their members that sin is rebelling against God and that sin grieves God. Willful sin is not a mistake. It is a choice. And even though there may be consequences associated with the sin that will negatively affect the believer, the sin is ultimately against the authority and righteousness of God. Think about it. 1John 3:7-9 states,“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” Joseph could not commit sexual sin because he was a servant of the most high God. If a believer participates in sinful acts repeatedly, that believer’s relationship with the LORD can and should be questioned.
Verse 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
Remember that Joseph is a type of Christ. Just as Christ Jesus was without sin although tempted just as any man would be to commit sin, Joseph refused to cave to the pressure being put on him every day by Potiphar’s wife.
Verses 11-12 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.
Sometimes the best response to temptation is to run away from it.
Verses 13-16 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 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. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
This is the first example of entrapment in the Bible. Joseph was set up by Potiphar’s wife who, when her pride was injured and she felt humiliated, fashioned a lie to cover up her behavior and to ultimately punish Joseph for failing to comply with her wishes and desires. This is also an example of racism being used to convict an innocent person of a crime. Since Joseph was a Hebrew and not an Egyptian, it was presumed he must be guilty.
Verses 17-20 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 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.
I appears that the justice system in Egypt was corrupt, much as it is in the world today. Joseph did not get a trial. No evidence was gathered other than Potiphar’s wife having a piece of Joseph’s clothing. There were no collaborating witnesses. Joseph was not allowed to testify in his defense. He was presumed guilty and thrown in jail by those who wielded the power to do so. Case closed and no appeals allowed.
Verses 21-23 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.
Joseph’s situation went from bad to worse. But his God was with him and placed him in a leadership position within the prison system so that, even in the confinements of jail, Joseph prospered and those around him prospered.
Application: No matter the circumstances in the life of a believer, God will always be right there with him/her. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation (behavior) be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Joseph knew this. Even in prison with his name and reputation destroyed, Joseph contented himself and did the very best he could with the tasks he was given and, in so doing, glorified his God.