In the days of early Egyptian history, owning slaves was commonplace, as we know, but what is little known is this fact: it was acceptable for an Egyptian man or woman of a household owning a slave to have sex with the slave.
However, it was unacceptable to have sex with another Egyptian, having something to do with preserving the sanctity of the family. Sounds silly, doesn’t it?
Genesis 39 contains the story of Joseph, the slave, and Mrs. Potiphar, the slave owner, as she tries to, uh, have her way with him.
After many days of batting her eyelashes at and whispering into the ear of this gorgeous hunk of a slave, (hey, that’s what scripture says!), and his repeated refusals, Mrs. Potiphar one day grabbed Joseph by his garment. Making a beeline for the door, he leaves her standing there, garment in hand, screaming. For Joseph would not offend his master nor bring shame on the name of his God by doing what she suggested.
As Joseph’s owner, Mrs. Potiphar expected him to respond in the same way as a slave girl might submit to her master. When Joseph rejected her, she was humiliated and outraged, since his refusal contradicted what she saw as a normal practice.
But catch this. According to the original Hebrew, Genesis 37:36 says, “The Midianites sold (Joseph) into Egypt, to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief of the executioners.”
The word eunuch in this verse is usually rendered officer but it primarily and literally means to castrate, a eunuch, a valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state, a chamberlain, officer, or official.
The Davis Dictionary of the Bible says that “there is scarcely a doubt that the word is used in this sense (as castrated and therefore impotent) throughout Scripture, even when it is rendered into English by some other term….Eunuchs often obtained high position and great authority. The captain of the guard of Pharaoh and his chief butler and his chief baker were eunuchs.”
When Mrs. Potiphar lied about the incident, Mr. Potiphar was furious. Now, is this because Joseph, as a slave, did not do his duty as a slave, surrendering to his mistress’s wishes? Or was he more furious with his wife?
Apparently, Potiphar was not totally convinced of his wife’s story, for he could have had Joseph whipped with a multitude of lashes or killed. But instead, he threw him into prison, which was connected to Potiphar’s house as a state prison, “a place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” (Gen. 39:20 NKJV)
And “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered…the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” (Gen. 39:2a, 3b NIV)
And everywhere that Joseph went, the Lamb was sure to follow!
The Lord is always with us, no matter what our circumstances may be, even when we feel they imprison us. When we obey the Lord, He will give us favor and prosper us in many different ways.
Are we as steadfast in our beliefs and God’s Word as Joseph was? Do we flee immediately without a second thought?
Is there a temptation attempting to seduce you, to grab at your soul on a daily basis, making it more and more difficult to fend off and resist?
Just remember: the Lord is with you and will prosper you in all you do when you’re obedient to His Word. No matter what the circumstances.
And everywhere you go, the Lamb is sure to follow!