Bad Girls of the Bible

Potiphar’sWife:

the Bored Housewife?

Genesis 39

Potiphar’s Wife Looked in a Direction She Shouldn’t Have

– “And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’” (v.7)

• Joseph’s master trusted him (v. 4)• Joseph was in the wife’s orbit, every day (v. 10)• Joseph refused her, but she kept finding

reasons to cross his path, fueling her temptation (v. 10)

– What does God say about being careful with our eyes and thoughts?• Philippians 4:8• 1 John 2:16• Matthew 5:28

Potiphar’s Wife Pursued An Obsession that was Harmful

– “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.” (v.10)

• She pushed him to get what she wanted• He refused her, repeatedly, but she was

persistent• Her obsession escalated from just looking, to

asking, to physical pressure– What does God say about temptation?• 1 Timothy 6:11• 2 Timothy 2:22• James 4:7• 2 Peter 2:9

Potiphar’s Wife Enacted a Vicious Revenge When Thwarted

– “And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 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.” (v.16-18)

• Joseph refused her advances, and fled• Humiliated, she concocted a lie to tell her

husband• Joseph was thrown into prison, making her

revenge complete– What does God say about bitterness and revenge?• Ephesians 4:31• James 3:14• Romans 12:19

What Can We Learn from Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

– Potiphar’s Wife• Trusted in her own beauty• Did not respect her husband, Joseph, or herself• Ultimately did not get what she wanted

– Joseph• Trusted in God (v. 9)• Respected his position and his employer (v. 8)• Ultimately was blessed by God in prosperity

and posterity (v. 23)