6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“When his master heard the story his wife told him – ‘These are the things your slave did to me’ – he was furious and had him thrown into prison, where the king’s prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in prison.”
Genesis 39:19-20 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The Bible is like no other book. With God as its Author, it stands head and shoulders above every other book ever created.
Yet, that being the case, there are many similarities to other books. For instance, the Bible is made up of words on a page. Our knowledge is limited to what it tells us. If it doesn’t tell us what emotions, thoughts, attitudes, and facial expressions someone had when they said something, we must try to figure it out for ourselves.
Which brings us to the verses that I have chosen for today.
Go back and read Genesis 39:19-20. Notice that it says that Potiphar “was furious.” The Bible says that he became livid so we take that as truth. But, what the Bible doesn’t do is tell us why he became angry. We are left to speculate.
Some people suspect that Potiphar became angry because he heard that his slave had tried to rape his wife. While this would certainly be a cause to become furious and push for justice, I do not believe this is what fueled his anger.
Why?
Because when we read Genesis 39:1, we realize that Potiphar was no ordinary Egyptian. He was powerful. He was “an officer of Pharaoh” and “the captain of the guards.” It seems to me that if Potiphar believed his wife’s allegations, he wouldn’t have sent Joseph to prison. He would have executed Joseph. He certainly had the power to do that.
But he didn’t. He simply sent him to prison.
So, what why was he angry?
Potiphar liked Joseph. He trusted him completely (Genesis 39:3-6). He was wholeheartedly convinced that Joseph was a man of integrity who was incapable of trying to rape a woman.
Yet, when his wife made the allegations, Potiphar was put into an unenviable position. If he acted on his wife’s allegations, he would have to kill Joseph. But, if he went with his gut and disbelieved the allegations, he would be taking a slave’s word over his wife’s which would have a major negative fall-out.
I believe Potiphar was angry because he was put into a position where he had to punish a man he knew was innocent.
Friend, are you living in such a way that others would use the word “integrity” to describe you? Are you living in such a way that if allegations were levied against you, people would immediately disbelieve them?
Let’s commit to live like Joseph. Even though we may experience injustice in this life, we are looking forward to being with our God when He makes all things right.
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Lord Jesus, I want to know You more. I want to become more like You. But I realize that people of integrity don’t always get treated right. I pray that I would live in such a way that if I’m mistreated, people would realize that an injustice has happened. I also pray that You would help me to keep my eyes on the Finish Line when I get to be with You forever and all wrongs will be righted … forever! Amen.
Matt’s Musings 