Genesis 39:11-23 - The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love

39:11-18

Having failed to tempt Joseph, Potiphar’s wife took a more direct approach. She took hold of his garment, Joseph fled but in the process lost his garment. The wife then accused Joseph of trying to rape her. The enemy will not play fair and will use downright dishonesty. Even so, we should still flee temptation. She claimed that the garment she had taken proved her case. When Potiphar returned she told the same pack of lies to him.

39:19-23

Potiphar believed his wife and was outraged. So he took Joseph and put him in prison. We are not told if Joseph was even given a chance to explain himself, probably not, and he would not have been believed. So evil is at work again, yet God’s purposes are being fulfilled. This should give us hope, but it should also warn us that the path along God’s ways is sometimes far from smooth, and may involve us being unfairly treated. Despite the false accusations, Joseph was still a man of integrity and ability. This was recognised in the prison, and the keeper of the prison put him in charge of all the prisoners. Joseph fulfilled his tasks with great skill, and once again proved himself to be highly trustworthy.