Genesis 39: A Woman Scorned

You know what they say about "hell hath no fury...?"  Well, our friend Joseph is about to discover the truth of that timeless proverb.  Who knows?  Maybe it was even Joseph that coined the phrase after his experience in Egypt!

Genesis 39 picks back up the story of Joseph after our tangent with Tamar.  Joseph, having been sold by his older brothers to his cousins, the traveling caravan of Ishmaelites, has ended up as a household servant for Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard.

Now slavery is an unfortunate system in any age, of course, but being a household servant among Egypt's elite was probably the best fate that Joseph could have drawn.  Joseph is bright and industrious, and he has the blessing of God upon him.  The same God who richly blessed his great-grandfather Abraham, his grandfather Isaac, and his father Israel is now helping Joseph prosper, too!  He is successful in all that he does for Potiphar.

In addition to this, Joseph is attractive and "easy on the eyes" - especially the eyes of his master's wife!  Mrs. Potiphar has other ideas for Joseph, and they involve risque activities that her husband would definitely frown upon.

Joseph, however, has a moral core.  He recognizes that it would be improper for him to abuse the trust of his master in this way.  So he steadfastly refuses her advances, even to the point of fleeing when she grabs him.

Humiliated by his refusal to sleep with her, Potiphar's wife decides she's going to accuse Joseph of the very thing she couldn't talk him into.  In an instant, Joseph goes from respected manager of the house to a lowly prisoner.  (Some suggest that maybe Potiphar knew the truth, seeing as how Joseph survives this experience in jail rather than facing execution.)

Regardless, the same God who was with Joseph before continues to be by his side now.  Though Joseph must certainly be discouraged by this turn of events, he continues to prosper, even in jail.  May this be a reminder to us that, while hell may have no fury like a woman scorned, there is also nothing like the love and grace of God to see us through anything this world may throw at us, even hellacious fury!