Our Torah Reading for this Shabbat of 6/11/2022 is found in Genesis 39:1-23. It is The Story of Yosef and Potiphar’s Wife.
We find in this reading, themes of righteousness; trust; loyalty; prosperity; sexual immorality; favor-favor with man and favor with God; and God’s presence in the life of His covenant people.
Let’s look at key highlights of this reading along with its practical halachah applicability’s.
39: 1. As the story goes, Potiphar was a high-official of Pharaoh’s court. He purchased Yosef from Ishmaelite merchants (Gen. 37:25-28). Interestingly, the LXX describes Potiphar as a “eunuch of Pharoa”. Often when a high official of a southern nation is mentioned in scripture, they are referred to as eunuchs. Chances are that these individuals were not eunuchs in the sense that we recognize the term eunuch to mean–one who has been castrated. The likelihood he was a eunuch as we know the term eunuch today is because he was married, and eunuch tended to not have wives for obvious reasons.
39:2. Moshe tells us that “YHVH was with Yosef” (cf. Act. 7:9). Interestingly, the Onkelos (a 2nd century C.E. Greek and Ancient translation of Torah produced by Roman convert to Judaism) describes “The Word of YHVH being the helper of Joseph”.
At least one commentary I consulted noted the phrase “YHVH was with Yosef” described Yah’s presence with Yosef, which in a sense agrees with the LXX translation of the “Word of YHVH being the helper of Yosef.” And we will find in 50:20 that Yosef was aware of Yah’s presence in his life during his time in Mitsraim (aka Egypt).
So, why would Yah’s presence be with Yosef? Was he anyone special? We don’t read of Yosef being particularly close to Yah as Yosef having a personal relationship with Yah as did his forefathers. So, why would Yah’s Word-His Spirit abide with Yosef during this tense time in Yosef’s life?
I guess it would be safe to conclude that Yah had a distinct purpose and calling over Yosef’s life. For we will find as the story continues, that Yosef would be Yah’s instrument to bring the nation Yisra’el out of devastating global (what would be known as global in that day) famine and keep them (although during most of the nation’s stay, in bondage) safe and together until Yah’s perfect timing. For Yah always knows what He’s doing, and He will protect and guide those whom He chooses as instruments of His Will and Plan. In this case, Yosef was the man of the hour. But Yosef, despite being in Yah’s providence and keeping power, would have to go through some stuff in order to bring Yah’s plan and will to its fullest fruition.
When Yah’s presence is with His chosen ones, as we see here with Yosef in our Reading, things take place that may not be explainable to human reasoning such as Yosef going into slavery in Potiphar’s house and he being successful. Not in the sense of becoming wealthy because slaves had no means of obtaining and retaining wealth during their time of enslavement. Success, as we will see, came to Yosef in the form of favor and privilege in whatever place or station he found himself. Favor not just with Yah or in the sight of Yah, but also favor and privilege with his captors.
One cannot be effective in the work of the Kingdom unless they are given some modicum of favor with those who are not of like-mind and station in life. Finding favor and privilege with others is essential for success in the calling Yah places over our live.
So many of us who are in this Faith go to great lengths to separate ourselves from the rest of the world, which is something we’re called to do in terms of conforming to the ways of this world:
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yah (ref. Isaiah 52:11), and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith Yah Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
But for the time being, we are forced to exist among the heathen and unconverted. And although the heathen and unconverted may not agree with our way of life, Yah’s presence in our lives will often lead to us currying favor with them: Opportunities; peace; privilege; protection; promotion; etc. Such unlikely favor and privilege do not come about as a result of anything we’ve done, but rather because of Yah’s presence and providence in our lives. That which we involve ourselves prospers and others recognize our successes, and they will in response bless us with opportunities and privilege and materials and goods.
Potiphar recognized that something was different with Yosef. the text describes Potiphar as “observing that Yah was with him and that everything Yosef engaged in was successful” (39:3). And recognizing that Yah was indeed with Yosef, Potiphar promoted him in his house, making him his personal attendant (depending on which translation you’re using (39:4); overseer of this powerful official’s household. In essence, Potiphar placed Yosef into a position of utmost trust. He had control over everything in the man’s house. (I’m reminded of Avraham’s trust attendant, Eliezer, who at one point the Avraham thought would be his heir. That’s how trusted and close such individuals become in a household.)
This is all due to Yah’s presence in his life. It certainly had nothing to do with his annoying personality: That personality that got him into this position. Somehow, some way, Yah was in complete control here. And may, just may (we don’t have any proof), Yosef may have been brought down a few pegs after being sold to the Ishma’elites. And so now, the favor and promotion and prestige Yosef is enjoying is coming solely as a result of Yah’s presence over His life.
The Psalmist wrote:
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law (i.e., the Torah) of YHVH; and in His Torah doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (1:1-3; KJV modified).
When Yah’s presence (or His Word) is with us, as hinted in this Psalm passage, Yah’s presence is as rivers of water. And we as if a tree planted near that water, draw nutrients from that water source (i.e., the source being Yah). And so, that which we do (i.e., our fruit) will prosper. And so, it behooves us to remain close to our “source” which is YHVH. Another Psalm notes:
“…but Yah is the strength of my heart, and my portion (“cheleq”-award from Yah) for ever” (Psalm 73:26; KJV modified).
May Yah’s presence be firmly established with us as we walk out our faith with fear and trembling.
39:5-6. We see something quite interesting here in this verse whereby Potiphar (henceforth referred to as the Egyptian) realizes prosperity and good fortune because Yah blessed him on account of Yosef. It can truly be said in this case that Yah’s blessings certainly rub-off on those with whom His people find favor. Which clearly says to us that when Yah’s presence is over our lives and He chooses to prosper us by our currying favor with those outside of covenant, those individuals may just as well realize blessings over their lives.
And this is truly an amazing reality.
Why would Yah do such a thing for a heathen as this Egyptian no doubt was?
It’s impossible to be sure. But we do know that Yah is sovereign. He will do what He chooses to do. Secondly, our Elohim desires to show the world that when one has a relationship with Him or when Yah is present in one’s life, He will bless him or her. Yah is not hesitant to promote Himself to humanity when it is beneficial to His divine will and plan.
In every sense, the “Yah Culture” is hands down the only culture worth being part of. It brings joy, life, trust, hope, peace, prosperity and so many other things to a person’s existence. And here, in the midst of a heathenistic culture, this heathen experienced the benefits and beauty of the Yah Culture. I’m certain he didn’t plan for this experience, nor did he expect it. We don’t know how much time had transpired up to this point in the storyline. But time concerns aside, we know that Yah’s presence moved positively in that Egyptian’s house.
In this verse we also get a sense that Yosef had received his mother Rachel’s good looks (29:17). And this is a fact which Moshe inserts here into the narrative to prepare the reader for the life-altering events to follow.
39:7-9. The Egyptian’s wife (unnamed) finds Yosef attractive–no doubt in his comely form, but maybe also in his confident and extremely intelligent manner–those things that brought him favor in his master’s house. She makes an overt pass at him, which is shocking in and of itself. For it would seem that if found out by her husband, she would stand to lose all of the niceties and privilege she enjoyed as the wife of this high-Egyptian official. One has to wonder what was going on in her mind and life that would lead her to do such a thing. What family dynamics were in operation? Had she made a past practice of making passes at the other servants of her house? Apart from the obvious, what did think would ultimately come out of such a relationship if by chance Yosef consented to her indecent proposals?
Whatever the reason, Yosef resisted the woman’s passes and informed her that he abided quite favorably in the Egyptian’s house in a place of complete and utter trust. And he sums up for her the elements associated with his trusted position in the house.
The apocryphal book of Jubilees, interestingly enough, inserts into the story line that Yosef remembered his father’s teachings against fornication. And that to commit such a transgression would place him at odds before His Elohim (Jubilees 39).
The apocryphal book of Jasher actually gives the Egyptian’s wife a name: Zelicah (Jasher 44: 16). Anyway, the Jasher text goes so far as to explain this woman’s motivations towards Yosef. For the writer notes that she was enamored by his beauty, stating to him:
“How goodly are thy appearance and form. Truly I have looked at all the slaves and have not seen so beautiful a slave as thou art” (vs. 17). (Obviously, the veracity of this information is certainly up for debate. But it does, at the very least, give us some insight into what the ancient Jews thought and understood about this story.)
I do appreciate Robert Alter’s Commentary of this passage of the reading that he describes as “contrastive dialogue” that, in certain ancient literature, was designed to show contrasts and distinctions between characters (The Five Books of Moses; pg. 222). I appreciate the concept that he introduces here. I do take exception to how he treats patriarchs and their various situations as though the story being told of them is fictitious. Yosef, as annoying an individual as he may have been, was indeed a real Hebrew who Yah used to save His chosen people. The dialogue that he engaged in with the Egyptian’s wife, as contrastive as it certainly was, goes beyond the concerns of it being an ancient literary style of writing. What we witness in our reading is Yah putting forth to His chosen ones, what Godly behavior looks like in contrast to what UnGodly behavior looks like.
And so, Yosef defends why he refuses her advancements, which again, had more to do with trust; the trust that his Egyptian master placed in him to oversee all his affairs. To give into her overt advances would be a blatant betrayal of that extraordinary trust. And in Yosef’s eyes, to betray his master in such a way would be to “sin against Yah.” What the Egyptian’s wife was proposing was indeed wrong. And it plays into that moral constitution that is embedded in all rational peoples of the earth. Yosef did not need to be told that what the woman was proposal was sinful, although he no doubt had been taught in the ways of Elohim by his father Ya’achov.
If Yosef were to have given into the Egyptian wife’s advances, would he have gotten away with it? Possibly yes, as far as his master’s wife was concerned. Absolutely no, as far as Yah was concerned.
Godliness is doing the right thing every time, even when no one is watching. For even though people might not notice the wrong we do, Yah certainly does. And we are thus held accountable for that wrong that we do, whether we are Yah’s chosen or not.
On the subject of this type of thing, Yah stated:
“And you knew in your heart that as a man chastises his son YHVH your Elohim chastises you” (Deuteronomy 8:5; Alter).
The writer of Hebrews echoes this same sentiment:
“If ye endure chastening, Yah dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not” (Hebrews 12:7; KJV).
39:10. And so, the Egyptian master’s wife’s advancements continued for some time afterwards, but Yosef would not give in. Indeed, Yosef remained faithful and steadfast in his convictions and in his duties and loyalties to his master. It’s conceivable that her strategy was to wear Yosef’s resolve down. Clearly, her lust for Yosef overrode her sense of loyalty to her husband and any and all sense of morality she would have. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but she did not relent. Such people override or ignore that embedded moral constitution that resides in them because to them, their loyalties are focused on what they desire. And this is the contrast that exists in humanity. Yah’s people remain loyal to Him and His ways, while the world remain loyal to themselves. There’s is an inward focus as opposed to the outward focus of Yah’s elect.
The Book of Yasher takes this story in a dark and strange direction that I won’t repeat here. But suffice to say, the Egyptian’s wife went to great lengths to sway and force Yosef compliance to her advances. Yasher treats Yosef’s attractiveness as though it was something that caused women to swoon and be captivated, such that this woman, Zelicah, became so consumed by Yosef ‘s person that she fell into a malaise/illness that persisted for many days.
39:11-23. Well, as the story goes, the Egyptian’s woman’s advances finally came to a terrible head whereby she forces herself on Yosef. Yosef in response was spry and strong enough to fend off her advance and fled the scene. The Egyptian’s wife, in the process of her struggles with Yosef, tore off a portion of Yosef’s garments, which she ultimately used to get Yosef thrown in prison by the hand of her husband.
Many have sought to interpret which article of clothes the woman tore from Yosef’s person. But the scriptures do not provide that detail. But what the scriptures do reveal is the level of Godly steadfastness our Patriarch possessed and exercised. For Yosef was in a seemingly impossible situation. At issue here was not so much that Yosef would have given in to the woman’s advances. But rather, at issue here, was that he was dealing with crazy and evil. And crazy and evil have the tendency of causing much trouble, even when the other side is being Godly. In other words, Yosef was destined for problems with this woman. And Yosef, being a slave, had no viable options to escape the situation.
So, Yosef did the only thing he could do. Stay the course of righteousness. And despite the fact that 39:19-20 tells us that the Egyptian’s wife used Yosef’s left-behind article of clothing to indict Yosef, resulting in Yosef being imprisoned, Yosef maintained his covenant relationship with the Almighty. Yosef did not break covenant with Yah. He stayed true to His Elohim, despite facing possible death, which is a lesson in and of itself for any Netzari with eyes to see and ears to hear.
Yosef could have taken the path of least resistance and likely have gone along in the life he had in the Egyptian’s home for the rest of His natural life. But Yosef chose to take the path of non-compromise, knowing that his wellbeing rested not with his Egyptian master, but with Yah, his Elohim.
Yosef did not allow His situations–both his servant life, and the troubles he had with the Egyptian’s wife–rule him. He knew which side his spiritual bread was buttered, and he remained true to His Elohim and His Elohim’s ways. Which is a tremendous example for us to keep in mind today. We cannot allow any of life’s situations to rule over us. And we must not take the path of least resistance–which often is a pathway to spiritual destruction–in order to make our life a little easier. For the path that Yah has laid out for us is often very narrow and difficult to navigate. And we must decide who will serve and remain loyal to. In this case, Yosef chose not the path of least resistance, which would have likely earned him worldly–carnal–benefits. But instead, Yosef chose the path that would lead to the fulfillment of Yah’s covenant promises for His chosen ones. And today, the world lays out before us a similar pathway that may bring us worldly pleasures and benefits and comforts. But those paths are not sanctioned of Yah and often defy Yah’s ways. Instead, Yah’s path is exclusive and is narrow, which our Master describes as less traveled and few ever finding it (Matthew 7:13-14). And the righteous remnant that ends up taking that path, and sticking to it, regardless the pressures from the world to abandon that narrow path, may have a challenging time navigating that arduous, narrow pathway in this life. But the rewards to be received in the world tomorrow for the one who stays the course of righteous–the one who stays true to that exclusive, holy, righteous path–makes the temporal rewards that this life has to offer those who follow their pathway and way of life (i.e., the world’s way of life), ridiculously insignificant in comparison.
Despite Yosef’s subsequent sufferings in prison for the false allegations leveled against him by the Egyptian’s wife, Yah still remained mightily with Yosef (39:21). And it was that same favor of Yah that followed him in Potiphars house. For the text tells us that even in the midst of certain doom, being stuck in an Egyptian jail, Yosef’s favor with Yah extended over into Yosef finding favor with the keepers of the prison. Yosef, similar to that which happened to him in Potiphar’s home, was given extraordinary responsibilities in prison. The unnamed “keeper of the prison” entrusted Yosef with the affairs of the prison. Again, Yosef’s trust in Yah is translated in a pagan man trusting Yosef. And that’s how the Kingdom economy works. When we least expect it, Yah’s favor results in His elect finding favor among unredeemed men and His people prospering in ways that the world cannot understand.
Faithfully submitted for your edification.