Joseph and Potiphar

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Joseph and Potiphar

Date: Jul. 9, 2025

Passage

Genesis 39:1-12 (ESV)

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 39:9

He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Joseph was taken to Egypt. There he was bought by one of Pharaoh’s officials, Potiphar, who was the captain of the guard. Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph. He entrusted more and more to Joseph. He made Joseph his personal attendant and eventually put him in charge of his entire household. Joseph was a slave, but his situation was better than what most slaves experienced. Joseph served Potiphar faithfully.

While Joseph served under Potiphar, the wife of his master tempted him. She tried to seduce him, saying, “Come to bed with me!” Joseph was a young and virile man, well-built and handsome. Still, he refused her advances. He was faithful to his master, but ultimately, Joseph lived before God. He believed that the Lord was with him. To be unfaithful to Potiphar would be a wicked thing and sin against God. Even when he seemed trapped by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph fled from committing sin. In this way he remained in God.

Prayer: Lord, I am easily tempted by sin. Help me to be mindful of you. Help me to flee from sin and come to you.

One Word: Flee from sin; remain in God

A Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation

1 Peter 2:4-10

Key Verse: 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Today's Question

Which day of the week has God designated as the Sabbath?

See answer and references