Joseph, the great-great grandson of Abraham, the grandson of Isaac, the eleventh son of Jacob, was sold as a slave in Egypt. “An Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guards, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there” (Genesis 39:1).
The beloved son (Genesis 37:3), became a humble servant, just as Jesus, the beloved Son of His Father (Matthew 3:17), “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Jospeh wasn’t alone! “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master” (Genesis 39:2). Once again, Joseph mirrors Jesus.
Jesus was never alone (John 1:1), and He was always obedient and pleasing to His Master (Matthew 3:17; John 14:31).
Joseph was extraordinarily faithful to his master, so Potiphar “left all that he owned under Joseph’s authority; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. After some time his master’s wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, ‘Sleep with me’ ” (Genesis 39:6–7). Oh, it must have been tempting! Potiphar was probably away on Pharoah’s business… who would know?
Joseph, like Jesus, was faithful and true, overcoming the tantalizing and enticing pressures of the enemy. Both were tempted, “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Interestingly, Scriptures record three advances… three temptations (Genesis 39:7, 10, 12; Matthew 4:3, 6, 9).
After Mrs. Potiphar’s third enticement, “she grabbed him by his garment and said, ‘Sleep with me!’ But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran outside” (Genesis 39:12).
Joseph was obedient to the Apostle Paul directive: “Flee sexual immorality!” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
“When she saw that he had left his garment with her and had run outside, she called her household servants. ‘Look,’ she said to them, “my husband brought a Hebrew man to make fools of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, and I screamed as loud as I could. When he heard me screaming for help, he left his garment beside me and ran outside”
(Genesis 39:13–15). Like Jesus, Joseph was falsely accused (Matthew 26:59-61).
What was Joseph’s response when Potiphar returned home? What did he say when falsely accused? Nothing. He didn’t say a word… neither did Jesus (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:63; 27:12, 14).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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