Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife, by Guido Reni 1630, Public Domain, Wikipedia CCL
Meditation
Tuesday, Ordinary 19, Proper 14, continued the Old Testament lesson in Genesis—the story of Joseph—an archetype of Jesus. Things did not go well for him, but he was faithful and through a series of unfair circumstances—threatened by his brothers, sold into slavery, bought by Potiphar where he rose to the second in command of the house because his work was good.
But because he was handsome, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him repeatedly, but he avoided her. She grabbed him once, and he fled, leaving his garment behind, which she promptly used to tell her husband that Joseph had come on to her and the garment left behind was proof. Potiphar sent Joseph to prison, where again he worked hard and earned the respect of the jailor.
With each bad circumstance, Joseph did his best. He didn’t blame fate or God for things going amiss, and he didn’t allow the bad behavior of others to direct how he behaved. He abided by his own high standards. Joseph achieved respect in Potiphar’s household because he performed well. Even in prison, Joseph demonstrated he could be trusted and the jailor learned Joseph could be trusted to work independently and it would be well done.
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