Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Women of the Bible - Potiphar's Wife

(Guido Reni - image credit
Don't let anybody try to convince you that there are no "juicy" stories in the Bible....that reading scripture is boring.  Let's take the tale of Potiphar's wife as an example!!!

Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the Egyptian, when he was brought to Egypt as a slave.  Potiphar was a high officer of Pharaoh and a wealthy man.  Eventually, he put Joseph in charge of his household.  Potiphar's wife became attracted to Joseph and tried to seduce him.  When he rejected her advances, she falsely accused him and had him imprisoned.

When I read this, I was reminded of the quote:
"idle hands are the devil's tools".

Since Mrs. Potiphar was married to a very wealthy man, she probably had a lot of servants and very little to keep herself busy....thus, she had a lot of time on her hands....time that she spent lusting after  the young and handsome Joseph.  She begged Joseph to sleep with her day after day and he continually refused.  One day he went into the house to attend to his duties....those things that kept him busy....and since none of the other servants were inside,
Mrs. Potiphar grabbed Joseph by his cloak and again asked him to "come to bed with me". But, Joseph left his clothing in her hand and ran out of the house....naked!!!  Of course, you know that this woman was totally humiliated....so, instead of owning up to her own wrong doing....she accused Joseph of trying to rape her, resulting in him being thrown into prison by her husband.  But, because the Lord was with Joseph....he showed him kindness and he was granted favor in the eyes of the prison warden!

Conclusions:
First....
Keep busy doing something to occupy your hands....and especially your mind!!!
Second....
If you do what is right....God will reward!
And....Third....
If you find yourself in a situation where you're tempted to sin....if all else fails....
....RUN!!!!

HOPE everybody has a great Tuesday!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

4 comments:

  1. I especially like the third lesson! ;)

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  2. just think of all the problems that could be solved if everyone would...RUN!
    Thanks for this post...I enjoy reading your take on women in the Bible!

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  3. I like Isiah 47:1-3. I learned after the Jessica Hawn/Jimmy Swaggart tryst.

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  4. One of my favourites. I also like Isiah 47:1-3. I learned that after the Jessica Hahn/Jim Bakker scandal eight years after it happened.......

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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24