9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?
Genesis 39:9
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
Potiphar had put Joseph in charge of everything in his household because he trusted Joseph. Potiphar’s wife was enticed by Joseph and persisted that Joseph sleep with her. But, Joseph in his heart was answering to a higher authority. Even though he answered to his master he knew, as his master did, that God was with him. Also, it is interesting he acknowledges that the sin is against God rather than naming the sin such as adultery. Joseph put forth his highest trump card yet the woman persisted. He must have anguished every day over what to do. He could not tell Potiphar because he might not believe him. Nor did he want to cause trouble for his master.
Later Joseph would be put in a place where he could show his ability to decipher dreams even though he was brought low by being put in Prison. Later, he was vindicated by being the right hand man to the king. Yet, the Bible never tells us that his name was cleared of these charges by Potiphar’s wife or that Potiphar himself had learned what really happened. In the grand scheme of things, this really didn’t matter. However, it is always important to us to have a clear name wherever we go but we can’t let that get in the way of serving God.
What if Joseph kept a grudge against this women and sought to set things straight as soon as he was out. His cloudy judgement could have hampered God’s true plan. What if our own righteous judgement is getting in the way of God truly using us? Maybe we are too worried about our good name or making sure we are always right that we have little time for God to use us. Sometimes letting our name become less so that God’s name can become greater is really for the greater good. Not our will but his will be done.
Also, Joseph at this point had a lot he could be bitter about. he was attacked by his brothers, sold and resold as a slave, and now he will be brought down again and put in jail for a crime he did not commit. Yet in all this his attitude is of self responsibility, faith to God, and a constant desire to better himself despite his surroundings. The world blames God or others. God made me this way, or I am poor because of the rich. They oppress themselves. But if we look to God (the author and perfecter of our faith) We will have a new attitude.
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