A wife with no name

The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife is not new.  It is one that often commends Joseph for "doing the right thing." Joseph was strong in his faith and in his love for God.  This story is not about Joseph.

This is about Potiphar's wife.  The story is very clear in Genesis 39.  Joseph was put in charge of Potiphar household and everything he owned.  It goes on to say that Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of him and said "Come to bed with me" [v7].  This is not a problem exclusive to any gender or age.  Greed and lust are products of the enemy and they can be destructive. 

This is a woman who is married to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard and instead of honoring her marriage and her husband, she pursues Joseph.  She not only pursues him, it says she spoke to him day after day but Joseph refused to dishonor his God.

Joseph was strong enough to say "My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God."  [v9]  She just doesn't get it.  She continues in her pursuit until she finally when no one is around, she gets him alone again.  In an attempt to get away, she grabs his cloak and is left holding it as he gets away.

Now comes the lie.  Because if she can't have him, she may as well destroy him right?  That is what she sets out to do. Upon Potiphar's return, she tells him the lie that Joseph tried to seduce her and Potiphar puts Joseph in prison.

What would drive Potiphar's wife to want to seduce Joseph?  Was it his good looks? His nice build?  Her need to conquer?  Today's society is not much different.  We are driven by looks, prestige, status...but a man or woman of God has an obligation to walk away. 

A friend of mine has a nice brand new Mercedes.  It is the right color, it has leather seats, it talks to him and guides him to where he is going.  I love it and would love to have it....but it's his!  I wouldn't go to his garage and take it.  That would land me in jail!  Friend or not.  We would often hesitate in doing that because of the consequence yet we don't give God's commands a second thought.  It's the same principle:  A violation will have consequences!

I don't want you to miss the main point of this story [from my point of view].  Joseph went to prison for a crime he did not commit.  "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." [V21]

The Lord was with him...He did not leave Joseph.  She on the other hand is a wife with no name.  She is simply known as Potiphar's wife.  I don't believe this is because of her sin and allegations.  I believe this is because she failed to repent. 

God's forgiveness extends to all who ask.  An example of this is Rahab.  Rahab was a prostitute; but because of her repentance and calling out to God, she important in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Everyone knows the role she played and God's purpose for her and everyone knows her by name. 

Ladies when we marry, we carry our husband's name but more than that, we carry the name of Christ. Don't be distracted by a mercedes that is not yours, don't be a wife with no name.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 
Proverbs 22:1