The Joseph cliffhanger is officially over as of right now. We're done with Judah's drama, and we're back on track. Now we get to find out what what happened to Joseph.
Beresheet (Genesis) 39:1-6 "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. Yahuah was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Yahuah was with him and that Yahuah made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that Yahuah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuah was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance."
Ok, what did we just learn here in this huge chunk of writing? Joseph was sold, but the Egyptian who bought him treated him well, and everything's looking up, things are going good! He's even a good-looking guy. Is this an extra bonus or could it mess stuff up later? One line in particular is interesting to me: "And he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate." What is this saying? That Joseph is in charge of everything, but he's taking nothing for granted? What are your thoughts?
Beresheet 39:7 "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.'"
...What?! I totally understand he's a hottie, but really? Didn't she know she could get in major trouble with your husband for this?!
Beresheet 39:8-9 "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?'"
Smart man. He knows his master literally trusts him with his life. He also knows that he has to be worthy of that trust or he'll easily lose everything. As far as the house goes, Joseph is in charge of everything. The master gave him the reins and he'll take them back if he sees fit.
Beresheet 39:10 "So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her."
It doesn't say anywhere that Joseph is tempted. If anything, the exact opposite is being said. He's not interested in this woman, but she's pining after him like a girl with a crush. All the power and authority that she would get from being the woman of the house is being undermined by her foolish actions. I don't know about you, but I don't see her as an authority figure like I would any other woman of any other house.
Beresheet 39:11-15 "But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, 'See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.'"
Oh snap. There went Joseph's credibility and station. This stalker with a crush appears to be of the opinion that if she can't have him, no one can, so she's now out to ruin him.
Beresheet 39:16-18 "So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.'"
Do you think his master has a better idea of his character than this, or will he send him away?
Beresheet 39:19-23 "So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, 'Your servant did to me after this manner,' that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoner's were confined. And he was there in the prison. But Yahuah was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because Yahuah was with him; and whatever he did, Yahuah made it prosper."
Sadly, Potiphar does not know his wife. Maybe she stalked him once too. At any rate, it's the servant's word against his wife's. Guess who wins. Even though Joseph's in jail now, it's still sort of looking up.
Music: "Be Still" by Storyside: B
Next time, we find out what happens while he's in prison.
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