The House of Potiphar's Wife - Joseph Continued 4
Have you ever had someone try to discredit you, talk badly about you, and say things that aren't true? Joseph knew exactly how that felt, but God was watching over him the whole time! Even when people try to harm us, God will work everything out for our good when we trust Him to do so and continue to live a life of integrity, regardless of the circumstances.
Join in now! Be encouraged and equipped for the day with God’s Word!!
Diana’s Notes
Alive in 2025
Hi Everyone !! I am your host, Diana, and welcome to today’s episode of Joseph: Scene 4—the House of Potiphar's Wife - On heartfelt Conversations with Diana.
We’ve been talking about Joseph’s brothers and how angry and jealous of Joseph they were because they saw their father’s love and generosity towards them as limited or unavailable compared to their brother. But what would have happened if they had sought wisdom from God rather than forming a plan to harm their brother?
Our flesh wants us to get upset about what we don’t have and what someone else has, and before we know it, we get off God’s plan. Our footing becomes unstable. We lose our ability to maintain stability, and we fall.
We will be blinded to our treasure of blessings and never discover it when our eyes are fixed on what God is doing in the lives of others, and we do not seek His face for ourselves. And not just seek him for stuff but seek Him for surrender.
Potipher’s wife tried to discredit Joseph, but God was watching over him the whole time, and Joseph’s part was to trust and obey. Trust God to work it out and obey God’s word. Demonstrate a life of integrity no matter what. Jesus made obeying God for us pretty simple.
Love the Lord your God
Love your neighbor
So, with that, let’s pick up the next scene of Joseph and the wife of Potiphar.
I am reading
Genesis 39:7: 12 Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife NLT version
And Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him with lust. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
Uh oh!
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
10 Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her. 11 One day. However, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work. Not a single household servant was inside. 12 She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside.
Did you hear Joseph’s response? How could I do such a wicked thing?! That is a character on full display, and unfortunately, what we have lost so much of in our society today. Personal responsibility. Everyone wants to blame others for their bad behavior, attitude, or work performance.
Joseph understood what Potiphar's wife wanted, and he knew what ground to stand on. God’s ground! Like an Oak tree planted by the Lord- Joseph didn’t play in the grey. He understood right from wrong, and who knows what thoughts he may have had. He may very well have thought to himself, hot dang! You're hot, and I would love to swim in your pool of beauty... But! You ain’t mine, so I ain’t touchin’! LOL
Our brains can receive thoughts that are not necessarily wise or good, but at that point, it’s just a thought. So leave it there like Joseph. Take control of your thoughts and learn to do the right thing, especially when it may be hard to do because I have learned that it will usually come back to you like a boom-a-rang if you don’t.
Some people call it karma - God’s Word calls it sowing and reaping;
Galatians 6:7 (NIV): Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
The New Living Translation says it like this:
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
And she didn’t just tap on Joseph’s big, strong shoulder one time; she pursued him day after day after day! Talk about sexual harassment!
Joseph could have very easily been worn down and justified sleeping with her by convincing himself she won’t stop unless he does; what if she makes life hard on him if he doesn’t? Maybe I could talk her into getting my freedom back if I make her fall for me; I mean, Joseph had plenty of opportunities to cave - but he didn’t!
Joseph was able to be stable because he was stable in God. He didn’t rely on his opinion, his desires, his limited mind and ability. Joseph was familiar with the scrolls of God’s Word that had been passed down from one generation to the next. Joseph knew His God. Joseph knew God’s promises. He didn’t have to rely on anything he could see, but he could calm his mind and place his thoughts into God’s hand, drawing strength, confidence, and a peace that would generally disturb someone's soul. But not Joseph. Because Joseph had great faith, great trust, and great confidence in his all-powerful God, Joseph gained the benefit of God’s ability to remain stable in an unstable environment, knowing God’s Word and living his life protected by its boundaries.
Proverbs 16:20 states: He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD. (AMP)
Potipher’s wife put Joseph’s integrity to the test when she cast her eyes upon him and tried to seduce him. Every single day!
Maybe she was lonely and feeling abandoned and needed a little lovin’, but it was the wrong kind of lovin’! HAHa
Joseph was not about to touch this situation with a ten-foot pole. His response was immediate and resolute.
Joseph's refusal of her persistent pursuit of him was not merely a pushback against sinning but a confirmation of his commitment to God's standards.
I mean, every day, this crazy chick was trying to get Joseph to go to bed with her. And I’m not trying to be mean, but it’s wild. If we truly understand the danger we put ourselves in every time we turn our backs on what God’s Word says and decide that our thoughts, plans, methods, excuses, and needs are above all else, including God, that is indeed crazy. Because when we live our lives recklessly against God, we are playing Russian Roulette with our lives. Crazy, right???
Genesis 39:10: (New Living Translation)
She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.
His steadfastness in the face of temptation, especially in such delicate circumstances, is a testament to his character and his deep-seated faith.
Do you have any visions any dreams that once laid on your heart? Something you felt drawn to, meant to do, something perhaps even God spoke to you many years ago, and it lingers, but you’ve never paused to dialogue with God about it. Maybe you feel like you have no dreams, no purpose at all.
Habbukuk 2:2:Then the LORD answered me and said, “Write the vision And engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets So that the one who reads it will run.
Slow down and ask God to reveal to you any dreams that you may have once carried inside of you. Would you happen to know if the dreams are still there? Perhaps you need to ask God for new dreams and visions, His plan for you, and to write it on the tablet of your heart so that you know it is from Him and for you. Hide the dream in your heart like a tiny seedling and let it develop a bit. Water it and give it nutrients by reading God’s word and praying over your dream, asking for clarity and for Him to show you the way. Then, as it develops and your dream is nestled securely in your journey with God, create a vision board. When times of frustration and wonder come to mind, you can reflect on them and remember what God has placed on your heart. This gives us the courage, strength, and stability to push through when the odds seem stacked against us.
Joseph was more than able to endure the betrayal of his brothers or to be degraded and disgraced from a son into an enslaved person. To work hard and honestly as an enslaved person only to be pursued and harassed by the boss’s wife! Joseph remained stable and steady because God gave Joseph a dream, a purpose, and a vision.
Joseph believed in the God who gave him that dream, and knowing this vision was yet to be fulfilled gave Joseph the endurance to keep going.
Joseph knew God was in control. These men, these people, this woman, they may think they are all pulling the strings of Joseph’s life - but Joseph takes it all in stride, trusting God will work everything out in the end. Until then, Joseph maintained his integrity, honoring God through the way he treated others, how he performed his duties and the way he lived his day-to-day life as an enslaved person. And in the very midst of these humiliating, harsh days and long nights, God was blessing Joseph.
God wants to shower you with that same love. That same favor and care towards you, but you have to let Him. I had to let Him. And when I decided to surrender everything to His will for me, it was like taking a deep plunge in cold water, known as a Cold Plunge or, as the Finns say, “avantouinti” (a van when teeing) . I think that's how it is pronounced. But, it is a practice that has been part of Finnish culture for generations. It involves immersing oneself in cold water, typically in a lake or the sea, for health and wellness benefits.
LOL - It is shocking to the body and your mind, and it will feel unnatural, like spending the day walking backward
But once I set aside my old way of thinking for just a split second and jumped into the waters, to my surprise, they were not icy at all but overflowing with warmth and healing, like a day at the spa for my wounds, battle scars, and all the other things.
But unlike Joseph, I did not have great faith. I had the ability but not the stability. I had no foundation in God’s actual Word, and that is why I plead with you: if you are listening and have any doubts about God’s love and good will for you, a good plan for your life - please immerse yourself in God’s Word.
Tune every other voice out and learn to tune in to His. Read a version you can understand. I like the New Living Translation, The Amplified Bible, and The English Standard Version; there are a lot. Find one that you will read, then ask God to speak to you before you begin. Thank Him for His word and for teaching it to you, and ask Him for help in keeping it —holding on to it, applying it to your life as you grow.
I ask Him to etch it on my heart if I read something that feels personal from Him to me.
It may seem like a significant commitment, I know, but it has been a life-changer for me. It broke the chains of death and defeat from my soul, and now that I have come off the broken path and out of the darkness onto His path, being lit by His Light, I can finally see how lost I was. That is why I am so grateful to God for not leaving me where I was and for never deserting me in my hours, days, weeks, years, and decades of need.
He never, no, never abandoned me. He is my greatest friend, my Redeemer; he restored my dignity, He removed my shame and guilt and the torture I wrestled with for so long, and He breathed new life into me. He gave me joy again and laughter; He brought peace to my mind and rest for my soul.
Verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6: So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or panic in their presence. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
I hope we share this love and this knowledge of our Savior, our God, our Heavenly Father, and His supernatural, excellent Helper, the Holy Spirit.
But if not, may I invite you, encourage you, to allow the Lord to move mountains, obstacles, and chains out of your life? I am not advocating on behalf of religion, a bunch of rules and regulations, and men lording over others. I am speaking of the One True Living God, who wants you to know your Father. The way you come to know your Father is by receiving His Son, Jesus, as your Savior. Jesus, by way of His Spirit within you, will guide you on a journey that will leave you stunned. Awe- filled, filled with His Peace and in His rest, even though it makes no sense to anyone else.
Jesus tells us in
John 16:33: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.
Surrender of our limited will and seek His eternal will, His entire inheritance for us.is how His kingdom works. Those who surrender find and those who demand, take, they stiffen their necks to God, and if left with an unchanged attitude of the heart, they will be discredited in the end.
But when we surrender and yield our will to the will of God, then He is free to move in ways only He can.
Joseph was able to be stable and keep his dignity and integrity;
However, his obedience to God and remaining faithful to God’s ways did not come without Consequences to Joseph.
God promises to go through the storms with us, not that we will never have storms, and Joseph was about to see just how wicked this little storm brewing could be. She may not be able to tempt Joseph into her bed, but now she will make him pay for just how foolish and rejected he made her feel; how dare he!
And that is where we will end today’s conversation!
Well! I hope you have enjoyed stopping by. To provide you with additional encouragement on your journey, I have included a link to Pastor Eric’s message, 'Joseph: An Undeserted Dreamer,' and their podcast, 'You Never Walk Alone,' in the notes for this week. I hope you have a chance to listen, and may you find confident HOPE in our Living God.
You can find the link to their podcast and message on -
Heartfeltconversations.com -https://www.heartfeltconversations.com/
Next week, we’ll pick up on the false accusations that were brought against Joseph and what happened to him.
Remember! God is for you!!! He is the Power above any other power, and that same power is available to you.
Romans 8:31 in the AMP Bible tells us: What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Chin up!! LOL
Bathe in the goodness of God and rest in His Amazing Grace!
God bless, and I will see ya next Time!
Pastor Eric: Weekend Service/Valley Family Church
Joseph: An Undeserted Dreamer | Pastor Eric Jones
Pastor’s Podcast: Cutting Room Floor
Songs to inspire you
Finding Favour - Cast My Cares (Official Lyric Video)
Unspoken - "What He Says About You" (Official Lyric Video)
Foundation Verse
Romans 8:11
The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living in you. “
Additional Resources
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born again, child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above, were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand new Christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana and we will pass along your information for you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you!
Diana’s Home Church:
Valley Family Church - Pastor’s Eric and Alexa Jones
www.valleyfamilychurch.org
Other recommended Jesus-centered churches who teach the True Word of God:
Elevation Church - Steven Furtick
https://elevationchurch.org/
Joseph Prince Ministries - Joseph Prince
https://www.josephprince.org/
Joyce Meyer Ministries
https://joycemeyer.org/