Genesis39:7-12…7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. [8]But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. [9]No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” [10]She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. [11]One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. [12]She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, and sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.
Joseph is handsome and well built. He was is a youth meaning he has energy and power in abundance. He is excellent in all his duties. It is his devotion and commitment that gives him a rank in the household of Potiphar. There is Potiphar, a busy man who is majorly involved in the affairs of the kingdom of which he was a high ranking officer in pharaoh’s army- major general. He must have achieved so much for the kingdom in terms of military achievements – hence well known. There is Potiphar’s wife: house wife, well kept, one commanding respect by association of her husband.
Think of the offer that Potiphar’s wife comes with to Joseph and the ‘benefits’ attached to it. More promotion on the account that he’ll keep on servicing his side of contract. May be he would have been given a personal assistant by the influence of this woman so as to preserve his energy. May be he would have enjoyed more gifts, good treats, valuables, etc. Maybe he would have secured his freedom eventually through the back door. But again how long would have this illicit relationship have lasted for? Joseph was to choose his values and principles or choose the big mama and reap the benefit thereof. There was not fence sitting. This was a tough situation bearing he was in a foreign land and the benefits would have ‘rescued ‘his life. It would have been a shortcut towards liberating himself.
You may mask this relationship under the blanket of privacy and secrets. That no one would have to discover. What would have happened if the man of the house discovered that this young man has been feeding excellently from his trough? This jail term that he got would most likely have remained not an option. The young man would have been sliced and barbecued by major general Potiphar.
The response by Joseph is key. Potiphar’s wife proposal was to COME AND SLEEP WIT HER. That sounds nice and diplomatic. Sleeping only. She was offering the stolen fruit. She probably was ashamed of calling the act by its name. The real call would have been: Joseph, COME COMMIT ADULTERY WITH ME. Joseph aroused her to the reality of her call. ‘How CAN I DO SUCH A WICKED (ADULTERY) THING WITH YOU?’ To Potiphar’s wife, the secret would be sealed but to Joseph they were as naked as visible to all. Joseph was not blind to the reality that GOD WAS IS OMNIPRESENT. He could have said okay this one has been long overdue or let us have it one time only and we’re done but to him, calling a spade a spade enhanced his stand. He was awakening his conscience that sin is not to be tossed with. He was not willing to cross the line or even draw near to it. He was also a loyal servant to his master Potiphar. He was free to interact with anything else but not his wife. He knew his limits and boundaries. Life is always full of situations which will require of us to make choices. After all man is a summation of all the choices he has been making.
The story of Joseph is that of an individual who was not ready for shortcuts- which sometimes are longer, if not always, than the long route. But our generation has a different view of this. Such an opportunity is seen as a route to gain. Joseph is more likely to be termed a fool and one that wastes fortunes. Is it not the reason that so many cases of murders happening because of love betrayals? The rise of ‘sponsors’ whereby older women and men, who are wealthy, seek love and sensual pleasures from young men and girls respectively (who are struggling to keep a good life but are physically well). The drive is to get high-end life within the shortest time and easiest way possible. It is baptized with good titles: sponsor, mbabaz, wash-wash, mmama wa harrier, etc. The wickedness is massaged to eliminate guilt and shame. This does not only happen within the confines of sexual pleasures but also in other vices. It is the drive of self. Why is there corruption, stealing, cheating, fornication, adultery etc. if it be not that the individuals committing these vices having the mind of having themselves occupy the inner, middle and outer court?
The question about choices will always emerge and tough ones will always be when we are caught up in a mix and the deal seems to be liberating. Joseph’s decision demonstrates what his convictions were. He, Joseph, knew what the odds were. He had these principles anchored in his mind. Do I have boundaries, values, principles, limits that I’ll never violate no matter the situations I find myself in? Our responses to situations do test whether our confessions and beliefs are what we mean or just good statements good for citations and knowhow. He must have made such choices long ago. Sexual sin is a shadow that will stick wherever one is at. By the way, every form of sexual sin is sin as long as it is not to the married partner. Our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit calls us to keep it holy. He has called us to live holy lives. The call is to say no to all ungodliness. Till we understand what sin is, then like children playing in a landmine will be the game till it blows us up. Is all lost to the one fallen to that trap? God is always open to a repenting heart.
kensammoh 