Monday, April 23, 2012

Whatever Happened to Potiphar's Wife?

You remember Potiphar’s wife. She figures into the story of Joseph in Genesis 39. He had been sold into Egypt by his brothers based on their jealousy of his apparent favor with their father and suggested by the gift of a beautiful cloak. You see, Potiphar held the position of Captain of the Guard in Egypt—I suppose like a Homeland Security Chief. He soon learned to trust Joseph, and left him in charge of all his house and everything he owned.

The Bible says that Joseph was well-built and handsome, and Potiphar’s wife had specific designs on him. One day, she took an opportunity to seduce him in the privacy of her home. Joseph refused to comply with her wishes and ran from the scene, leaving his cloak (another problem with a cloak!!) behind. Because Potiphar’s wife felt rejected and angry over this snubbing, she called all her household servants and reported his attempt to assault HER. She also reported this lie to her husband, and succeeded in getting Joseph placed in prison.

Even in prison, God’s favor on Joseph gave him privileges and success. Nevertheless, he stayed there two years because of this woman’s false charges against him. Through some more twists in the story, Joseph was noticed by Pharaoh for his skill and wisdom, and within a single day rose from a prisoner to Prime Minister of the whole land of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. This enabled him to not only spare the Egyptians from the famine ahead, but also his whole family, the nation of Israel.

Were there still people in the upper echelons of Egyptian government who believed Potiphar’s wife’s claims? Did she maintain her false charges? Did she continue to fight for retaliation against him? OR, did God show those who listened to her, in the years that followed this incident, the actual conniving person she was? As Moses told the people in Numbers 32:23, You can be sure that your sin will find you out.

I love the way this whole story ends for Joseph. What God allowed to look for so long like everything had turned against him, He changed in a moment of time. The nameless wife of Potiphar, seemingly in a position of power, never had the last word. Her attempt to undermine this servant of God came to nothing, and Joseph enjoyed God’s favor and the redemption of His people.

This story gives us hope that God will always vindicate His people who have been wronged. Sometimes He allows the injustice to continue for years, but we can be sure, that even if we have to wait until Judgment Day, He will exonerate His faithful servants.

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