One of the hardest and most helpless feelings in the world is when another person deals carelessly with our reputations. Maybe it is an anonymous person online who publicly questions our motives. Maybe it is a commenter who glimpses one photo of our lives and makes assumptions about our parenting. Maybe it is a friend who is angry with us and then vents to our mutual friends. Maybe it is an ex-boyfriend, or an ex-husband, who is sharing a very different version of the break-up than the one we know to be true.
Whenever we experience slander, unfair criticism, or unfounded accusations, it can feel as though our hard-earned reputations are being dismantled brick by brick. Everything we worked for, the integrity we established over the course of years, suddenly seems fragile and vulnerable, all because of the untested words of a gossiper.
Joseph knew this helplessness well. He was a humble man of exceptional character, who spent his life climbing out of a pit, working his way up, making connections, and earning a good name, only to have it all undone by the wicked whim of a powerful woman. At least, that is how it must have seemed at the time. But that is not how Joseph’s story ended. In actuality, what determined the outcome of Joseph’s story was not power, but character.
As we now know, Joseph’s life did not end with this accusation. It seems that almost immediately, Potiphar distrusts his wife’s account. We know this because the punishment for Joseph’s supposed crime should be death, but instead, Potiphar only imprisons him. He is, in essence, not giving Joseph what he deserves. What this tells us is that Joseph’s character is influencing the outcome, and it would continue to do so for years.
In the chapters that follow, Joseph’s character opens doors for him. He gains favor with those in authority over him, until he eventually receives authority himself. Joseph is forever remembered as a noble man and a great leader; Potiphar’s wife, on the other hand, is only remembered for one of the worst decisions of her life. We don’t even know her name.
It is difficult to be on the receiving end of slander or a false accusation, but this story comforts us with this truth: your character is louder than you think. Character always reveals who you really are, and no amount of power, lies, or manipulation can hide it. This is a comfort for those of us who choose the way of holiness, but it is also a warning for when we don’t.
The sin of Potiphar’s wife was not simply lust, but the abuse of power, and none of us is immune to it. Our need for control—even when it is directed toward good and noble purposes—can lead us to compromise our integrity. “The ends justify the means,” we reason. But this is not the logic of godly character. Instead, we follow a Savior who chose to be falsely accused rather than exert His will by force.
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40 thoughts on "Potiphar’s Wife"
Mrs Potiphar was something. Joe was something greater. Amen
Loved this ♥️
It struck me that God’s kindness to Joseph in prison wasn’t removing him from there. This is what I would expect God’s kindness to look like, especially considering that Joseph didn’t deserve to be jailed in the first place. But this is just another reminder of how shortsighted I am and how God, who knows all things and works them together for good, acts according to His greater purpose for us. Instead of removing Joseph from jail right away, God granted him success and allowed him to practice his gift of administration while there – ultimately preparing him to one day run Egypt! I bet when Joseph was in prison he had no clue what God was preparing him for, but he continued to steward his gift and work faithfully to please God and the prison warden. The story of Joseph is one of my favorites in the Bible and definitely offers perspective for when we find ourselves in an unexpected place/season in life. It might not be what we expect, but God knows what He’s doing and thise seasons have a purpose!
Kristi, thank you for sharing your insights! God didn’t remove him from the situation but allowed him to practice his gift of administration. That’s so good!
Thank you for this!
Loving this study. Great insights and new perspectives on these Biblical figures. Thanks SRT.
And God is our vindicator.
Lord, help me to choose the way of holiness and build my character around your teachings, love, and mercy. Amen ♡
I live in a small town where rumors die a slow death. Many a reputation has been bandied about in even the most casual conversations. How malicious the original intent is not known but gossip on any level is wrong. We all know this and yet it persists. What is it about gossip that is so appealing, so tempting? Having been on the receiving end of gossip that was both untrue and cruel, I know the pain that is inflicted and the impossibility of confronting and correcting it because the originator is hard to discover. BUT GOD sees and He knows. One day He will make all hidden and secret things known. All will be uncovered and revealed. Until that day, our attitude and behavior should be unchanged: to walk blamelessly as imitators of God. Potiphar’s wife sought to destroy Joseph BUT GOD raised Joseph even higher. Others may treat us unfairly and unjustly BUT GOD has the final say. Let us remain true to Him. He will silence all our critics. He is our defender.
God indeed has the final say! Amen
I heard a preacher say let good gossip about you (referring to job) he knows the real truth.
Genesis 39:11 Now one day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants were there.
I’m not sure why Joseph went into the house and put himself in the situation of being alone with Potiphar’s wife, given her past behavior – likely didn’t realize the lengths to which she would go to get what she wanted or that she would resort to getting vengeance if she failed.
Because of past situations, solid doors at the office have been replaced with glass doors and I have made it a point to not work late if I’m the only woman left, or to not be in a private meeting alone with a man – just figuring that if I can avoid being in a position that provides an opportunity for a problem, all the better. It would be great if everyone acted appropriately but sadly that’s not the case.