Resting on the Rock

The story of Joseph’s dreams, his being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, and his being bought by the captain of the guards, Potiphar, is well known. Re-reading Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship while studying Joseph has given me a slightly different perspective on the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.

Gen. 39:1-19. In spite of his being sold into slavery, God’s hand was clearly on Joseph when he was bought by Potiphar and given a position of honour (from the standpoint of a slave) and responsibility in the household. The text makes it very clear that God’s presence was with Joseph and it was He who was responsible for Joseph’s success. Obviously Joseph worked hard and was well-equipped for adjusting to a new culture and inspiring confidence in his employer. God prospered him as he faithfully carried out his work.

Potiphar’s wife, impressed by the handsome Hebrew, repeatedly tried to seduce him. His self-control as a young and viral man is remarkable, especially when one considers the nature of the temptation as described by James Boice:

It appealed to a natural, God-given desire.
It came when Joseph was vulnerable, being away from home and family.
It came from a woman of status.
It came after a promotion, when Joseph’s guard could have been down.
It was repeated.

When Joseph fled yet another attempt at seduction and left his cloak in the hands of his pursuer, he was entrapped and accused by Potiphar’s wife of trying to seduce her. He was thrown into prison, but even there “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.” In fact, Joseph’s worth and talents were so apparent, that he was made responsible for all those held in the prison.

There is no evidence, from the Scriptural passage, that Joseph fought his imprisonment or even rebelled against the injustice. Of course, as a slave, he had no rights, but many other people in his situation at least would have fought back verbally. Instead, Joseph acted in such a way that even his jailers respected him, and as a consequence, God was able to prosper and use him even in this unlikely place.

Bonhoeffer remarks that “the only way to overcome evil is to let it run to a standstill because it does not find the resistance it is looking for. Resistance merely creates further evil and adds fuel to the flames.” If Joseph had fought the injustice, he probably would have “added fuel to the flames”, and may even have lost his life. Instead, by trusting in the sovereignty of God, he was able to use the situation to nurture himself spiritually and through the experience even gained the administrative experience that would stand him in such good stead in the future.

Some people feel that non-resistance indicates a lack of courage. It seems, in light of Joseph’s story, that it was indicative of great strength of character and also impressive trust in God’s goodness. I really wish that Joseph had journaled his life. I’d like to know what kind of dialogue with God he had that sustained him, and helped him accept the difficult things that formed his youth. He didn’t journal, but I have the biblical account of his character that didn’t grow bitter through difficulty; instead he chose to grow and thrive under the kind care of the God of his forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Joseph leaned on the Rock, and as a consequence, grew in strength and godliness.

2 Samuel 22:31-33: As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?

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