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Genesis 39 – Hidden Agenda?
HIDDEN AGENDA (Genesis 39:1-20)
Our emotions might be easily seen on the surface, but what put our eMOTIONs into “motion” might be harder to see. Could our emotions have layers? Is everything as it appears? Are our agendas hidden?
When it comes to men working hard, many do so to help their families, including helping their wives feel secure. Under the guise of selfless altruism, can some husbands prioritize their enjoyment in work, personal success, or making lots of money over family? Yes.
I would like to examine a well-known biblical scene and ask the question, “Why is the husband furious?” Is it because the honor and security of his wife is compromised? That would be the good husband’s reasoning. Or, could it be the husband lost the opportunity to increase his financial well-being?
The case study is Potiphar, his wife, and Joseph.
The key phrases in this concern “When he/she saw” and “in his/her hand” which is better seen in the NASB:
39:3 – Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
39:23 – When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside,
Genesis 39:19 (CSB) When his master heard the story his wife told him — “These are the things your slave did to me” — he was furious….
Why he is furious? Is everything as it appears to be? On the surface, it appears Potipher is furious at Joseph for trying to sexually assault his wife. That still could be the case. But does the text hint at another reason or two? Here are the three layered possibilities:
1. Poitphar is furious at Joseph for trying to assault his wife which dishonors her and himself. He trusted Joseph and was betrayed. I can see this…, but….
2. Potiphar is furious at Joseph for trying to assault his wife which his dishonors her and him, and results in losing Joseph and all the money he was bringing in. The text does greatly emphasize how successful Joseph was for Potiphar. This success will continue in prison and Pharaoh’s house.
3. Potiphar, who is possibly an eunuch based on the Hebrew for “officer”, is furious at the false accusation from his wife at Joseph which will result in losing Joseph and all the money he was bringing in. The text emphasizes Joseph’s success as much as her failures to seduce Joseph. If you had a spouse that was constantly flirting with others, you’d probably notice. The text then concludes with something surprising. Why didn’t Potiphar, who was a captain in Pharaoh’s army, put Joseph to death for trying to assault his wife? Why put him in the king’s prison? Could he not have believed her but for honor’s sake followed through? Could he have hoped to regain Joseph as a money-maker, which couldn’t have happened if he had executed him? Read the text and notice how many times the text emphasizes Joseph being successful in Poitphar’s house.
Why do you think Potiphar was furious? Is everything as it appears to be on the surface?
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