EXPLORE IT - Prime Minister - Genesis 39:1-20

As we move forward on our journey with Joseph, this week’s pericope, Genesis 39:1-20, is the first of three scenes detailing our hero’s adventures.  Hebrew authors often enjoy telling stories in three acts or scenes.  The first two are often very similar while the third offers its readers a surprise.  The first two scenes illustrate God’s presence and blessing upon Joseph.  We first see Joseph being put in charge of Potiphar’s household (39:2-6) and later we will see Joseph being put in charge of the royal prison (39:21-23).  In both instances, Joseph’s apparent blessings seem to fall through.  We see Potiphar throwing Joseph into prison (39:20) and we will later see Joseph forgotten in prison (40:23).  The third scene begins quite ominously.  We do not see an opening expression of God’s presence in Joseph’s life; the passage just begins with the narration of the story.  We finally see the rise of Joseph without a fall (but you’ll have to wait a few more weeks to hear about that!)

In our passage for this week, we see a reminder of Joseph’s sale into slavery.  We also are told that Joseph prospers, not because of his own greatness, but because “the LORD was with Joseph.”  In the NIV translation of Scripture, whenever we see “LORD” in all capital letters, this is a translation of God’s name Yahweh (hw"hy>), the God of the Hebrews.  This is contrasted with Joseph’s use of God or Elohim (~yhil{a), a common name for any god, while giving his reasons for not accepting Potiphar’s wife’s advances.  Joseph refuses her advances for three reasons:  (1) it is an abuse of the trust Potiphar placed in him (2) it is a transgression against Potiphar himself (3) it is a sin against God (Elohim).  The ancient Orient would have also seen adultery as sin and Joseph seems to be appealing to Potiphar’s wife’s sense of right and wrong.  This appeal falls on deaf ears and Joseph ends up in prison.  This is a strange outcome of attempted rape.   According to the law, convicted rapists should be executed when both parties are free citizens.  We expect no less when a slave assaults his master’s wife.  It is possible Joseph claims his innocence and Potiphar begins to have doubts, but the author does not share this information.  We can assume God’s protection and favor in this ruling as we will continue to see His involvement in Joseph’s endeavors.

Blessings,
Pastor Amy