Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for January 30

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for January 30

By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies, Samford University

The Pitfall of Temptation

Genesis 39:112

Just as Isaac and Rebekah’s favoritism had created a rift between their sons Jacob and Esau, Jacob’s own favoritism toward Joseph created a conflict that nearly ended in murder.

Thanks to his brothers, Joseph found himself a slave in Egypt, but his troubles were just beginning. Joseph worked hard for his master, an Egyptian official named Potiphar, and God blessed him to rise to a position of authority. Potiphar put everything he owned in Joseph’s care, and the same blessing that had rested on Joseph now rested on Potiphar’s house as well.

But then Mrs. Potiphar entered the scene. Joseph was “handsome in form and appearance” (Gen. 39:6), and Mrs. Potiphar found herself infatuated with him. “Lie with me,” she urged him day after day after day. What would Joseph do?

Be careful when things are going well. (17)

In a crime drama, detectives always look for motive and opportunity to identify suspects. Joseph had both of these when faced with the chance to sleep with Mrs. Potiphar. Joseph’s opportunity was obvious. First, Mrs. Potiphar came to him; he didn’t have to seek her out. Joseph didn’t have to seduce Mrs. Potiphar; she was already willing.

Second, Mrs. Potiphar and Joseph were alone. The text tells us she cornered Joseph when he “went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside” (v. 11).

Third, Joseph was far from home, so far that he would likely never make it back. Who would really know if he slept with this woman?

Joseph also had a great deal of motive for succumbing to Mrs. Potiphar’s charms. He was in his sexual prime as a young, handsome man, and Mrs. Potiphar may have been a catch herself. Potiphar was a high-ranking official in Egypt; we can’t know for sure, but Potiphar may have had his pick of women. Mrs. Potiphar may have been beautiful, and Joseph may have found a healthy dose of motive in resentment toward his master.

Granted, Joseph served Potiphar well, but a certain amount of resentment must have accompanied the fact that Potiphar “owned” Joseph. The language of “master,” “bought,” “serve” and “slave” permeates this passage.

Lastly, Joseph might also have felt resentment toward God. Where was God when Joseph was thrown in the pit? Where was He when he was sold as a slave? This could be Joseph’s opportunity to pay both his masters back.

Resist temptation by having standards and convictions already in place. (8–10)

But those who know the story of Joseph know this is not what he did. Though he had motive and opportunity, Joseph refused to sleep with Mrs. Potiphar. How did he survive this temptation?

First, Joseph had a clear sense of right and wrong — he doesn’t dabble in the ambiguities of justification and rationalization. He says right out, “How could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Joseph survived, in part, because he refused to pretend that he wasn’t sure what was right and wrong. He knew (as do we all) and declared his conviction right up front.

When nothing else works, run! (11–12)

Secondly, Joseph survived the temptation by putting geography to good use — when Mrs. Potiphar grabbed Joseph’s garment and pressed him once more, Joseph ran. The greater the distance between Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar the less likely he would be to fall under her spell.

When the wise father of Proverbs 5 counsels his son on resisting the charms of a “forbidden woman,” he says, “Keep yourself far away from her; Do not come near the doorway of her house” (v. 8).

Though he had every possibility to turn his back on God, Joseph did not. He reminded himself what was right and wrong and he fled from the moment of temptation. He saved his honor and stayed on the path that would see him save his family as well.