Telling the World No: Genesis 39:7-18
Even when we behave righteously, the world can still attempt to bring us down. No good deed goes unpunished. In our righteousness, people choose to believe what they want instead of believing the truth. If Jesus’ righteousness could not spare him from the world’s wrath, why should our righteous behavior be any different?
Once more in Egypt, Joseph displays his trustworthiness. He is reliable. Tasks get done according to Potiphar’s desires and Joseph receives free reign of the household. According to Joseph’s own testimony, everything in Potiphar’s house is under Joseph’s authority. He has Potiphar’s complete trust.
We see Joseph’s pride blossoming again. Back in Canaan, when Joseph had dreams about his greatness, he didn’t have any difficulty bragging to his siblings. In Egypt, Joseph doesn’t have any trouble reminding Potiphar’s wife about his greatness. Joseph enjoy telling others how much people entrust him with.
This is part of the problem in Potiphar’s house. Joseph was a handsome man. Potiphar’s wife desires to have Joseph. Joseph does the upright thing and declines the offer to join Potiphar’s wife in bed. He declines the offer day after day.
Potiphar was one of the Pharaoh’s officials. Potiphar held power in the land and Potiphar’s wife would be accustomed to having her way more than being told what to do. When Joseph steps up and makes the ethically right decision, he tells this woman of power she isn’t going to get her way. On top of that, Joseph reminds her how trustworthy he is. Jospeh looks at a woman who is content breaking the marital covenant and tells her no because he is trustworthy. Not only is Joseph denying Potiphar’s wife’s request, but in doing so Joseph reminds Potiphar’s wife how undeserving of Potiphar’s love she is.
We see how dangerous the righteous decision can be. Joseph does absolutely nothing wrong in this story. He upholds the sanctity of marriage. He respects the power that has been entrusted to him. He acts in a manner that continues to give Potiphar reason to trust Joseph. He makes all the right decisions.
Potiphar’s wife doesn’t like it. She doesn’t like being told no. She doesn’t like being denied her desire. When she has an opportunity to snag Joseph’s clothing, she grabs hold of Joseph’s outer garment and retains it. She then uses the garment as evidence of Joseph’s proximity to her. Because of her position in the house, she can turn the household against Joseph. He has done nothing wrong, but Potiphar’s wife convinces the rest of the house that Joseph has come into the house to deceive them, to mock them, and to violate trust. She then tells Potiphar the same.
The world doesn’t like being shown its unrighteousness. It doesn’t receive people who make ethical stands against its desired behavior. The world doesn’t like being told no. Even when we behave righteously, the world can still attempt to bring us down.
