The First Book of Moses, called Genesis
Genesis 39
Chapter XXXIX · Vol. I, p. 279
1 Joseph is advanced in Potiphar's house. 7 He resisteth his mistress's temptation, is falsely accused by her, and cast in prison. 21 God is with him there.
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; aand Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
A.M. 2276. B.C. 1728.
a ch. 37. 28. Ps. 105. 17.
2 And bthe LORD was with Joseph,7 and he was a prosperous man; and he was cin the house of his master the Egyptian.
b ver. 21; ch. 21.22; 26.24. Ac. 7.9,10. Ps. 91.15; 1.3. 1 Sa. 3.19; 18.14.
7 'The Lord was with him,' seen by faith, heard by his word, feared as a judge, loved as a benefactor, trusted as a friend.'—C.
3 And his master8 sawd that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD emade all that he did to prosper in his hand.
8 The advantage of a faithful servant is great, the blessing of a religious servant is greater. Joseph's conduct not only opens his master's eyes to see his merit, but his understanding to acknowledge his God.—C.
e ch. 30.27; ver. 2; ch. 21.22. Ps. 1.3.
4 And Joseph ffound grace in his sight, and he served him; and he made him goverseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5 And it came to pass, from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for hJoseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
h ch. 30. 27. Ac. 27. 24. 2 Sa. 6. 11, 12, with Ps. 72.17; 21.6. Ep. 1.3.
6 Andi hek left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat: and Joseph was a lgoodly person, and well-favoured.
i Potiphar took care for nothing but to eat his victuals, Is. 22.13; 56.12. 1 Co. 15.32. or ch. 43.32.
k Lu. 19. 17; 16. 10. ver. 23.
l 1 Sa. 16.12. Ac. 7.20. ch. 29.17.
7 And it came to pass after these things,9 that his master's wife mcast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie nwith me.
8 But he orefused; and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand:
9 There pis none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: qhow then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10 And it came to pass, as rshe spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, sto lie by her, or to be with her.
r Je. 3.3. ver. 8. Pr. 2.16; 5.3; 7.5,13; 6.25,26; 9.14,16.
s 2 Ti. 2.22. 1 Pe. 2.11. Pr. 1.15; 5.8. 1 Co. 15.33. 1 Th. 5.22. 1 Ti. 5.14.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was tnone of the men of the house there within.
t Job 24.15. Pr. 9.17. Ep. 5.3,12.
12 And she ucaught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and xhe left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to ymock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud1 voice:
15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
16 And she zlaid up his garment by her until his lord came home.
z Je. 4.22. Tit. 3.3. Ps. 37.12,32.
17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, aThe Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
a Ps. 52.2-4; 55.3; 120.2,3. 1 Ki. 18.17. Mat. 26. 65.
18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19 And it came to pass, when his master bheard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that chis wrath was kindled.
b Pr. 29.12. 2 Th. 2.11.
c ch. 4. 5, 6. Pr. 6.34,35.
20 And Joseph's master took him, and dput him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound:2 and he was there in the prison.3
d 1 Pe. 2.19. 2 Ti. 2.9. Ps. 105.18,19. ch. 40.15; 41.14. Da. 3.21,22.
2 This continued imprisonment, followed by the deliverance of the butler first, and finally of Joseph, indicates a high degree of legal civilization amongst the Egyptians at this period. In a despotic government they would all have perished at the first ebullition of anger.—C.
3 The character of Joseph stands out as one of the purest in the whole compass of sacred history. No temptation could overcome his high-toned morality, no calamity could shake his implicit faith in God. Adversity in its bitterest form did not unduly depress him, and neither did the giddiest height of prosperity generate unseemly pride. In his father's house, pampered and fondled; in slavery, wantonly and falsely accused; in the palace, wielding unlimited power, he was always the same truthful, pure, just, noble-minded, God-fearing man.—P.
21 But the LORD was ewith Joseph,4 and showed him mercy, and fgave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
e See ch. 21.22; ver. 2. Da. 6. 22. Is. 43. 2; 41. 10. Ro. 8. 31, 32,37. ch. 49.23,24. 1 Pe. 4.14-16; 3.13,14,17.
4 This is the second instance of Joseph's extraordinary success, or as the world would call it, good fortune. The Scripture traces his progress to a higher source. 'The Lord was with him, showed him mercy, gave him favour.' The character of Joseph from his youth was one of extreme transparency, if we may so speak; because one of unmingled honesty to man and unfeigned piety towards God. Temporal success God may deny to his dearest child, He. 12. 6. Yet still piety towards God is the surest way to permanent favour and prosperity.—C.
22 And the keeper of the prison gcommitted to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
g 1 Sa. 2.30. Ps. 37.3,11. ver. 6,7.
Notes
Reflections.—What need we have of humble hearts—for who knows how low and debased God may make our lot on earth! But the advantage of God's presence and favour is in every condition chiefly to be desired. If he be with us we shall be well wherever we are. His blessing makes rich and honoured; and without it all our labours are in vain. Godly and faithful servants are an inestimable treasure; and such as are wise will not fail to esteem and prefer them. Providential smiles are often but inlets to fearful and strong temptations, or to grievous and lasting distresses. But to what horrid lengths, in the most shameful wickedness, will such go as have once broken through the natural restraints of common modesty!—abandoned themselves, they can use the most shameless endeavours to draw others into sin. A fiery furnace is less to be feared than a beautiful abandoned woman. Flight is the only preservative from violent temptations to uncleanness: and surely it is better to hazard our life than to wound our conscience. But in such most ensnaring temptations, a deep sense of the evil of sin, as offensive to God and injurious to man, is the only thing that will effectually prevent compliance. But how hard to obtain protection from a lying tongue! The best of men have been accused of the most atrocious crimes. And there is a great readiness in men to believe an evil report, especially against the professors of religion. Here the most improbable story gains easy credit. How often guilt is honoured, and innocence oppressed and punished! Yet let me not be weary in well-doing, or in resisting unto blood, striving against sin; for the bitterest sufferings, with a good conscience, are to be preferred to all the pleasures of sin. Though persecutors should be deaf to my plea, there is one, Jehovah, who seeth and judgeth. In his time he will vindicate my character and plead my cause. No prison can exclude his presence. He will certainly give me my reward in heaven, and perhaps part of it in a prison, where I shall be more out of the reach of temptation, and on the nearest way to my eternal, if not also my temporal, preferment. If God be with me, who can be against me? Meanwhile, let me, in Joseph, behold how Jesus was debased and exalted! How he was in all points tempted by devils and men like as we are, yet without sin! How he was persecuted without a cause! And how upheld of God, as the man in whom his soul delighted, till, for the sufferings of death, exalted at his own right hand in glory!