Links for today’s readings:
Read: Genesis 39 Listen: (3:08), Read: Mark 16 Listen: (2:34)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 39.10-12
10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. 11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
Reflection: Not a Temptress but an Abuser
By John Tillman
Joseph is deservedly held up as an example of the distinct sexual ethics demanded of those who follow God. Even when it would be advantageous or pleasurable to give in to wickedness, God’s people must follow a higher standard.
Potipar’s wife is often held up as an example of women being wicked temptresses or making false accusations against “men of God.” Men have been taught to avoid being alone with women so they don’t get attacked or slandered like Joseph. Defenders of sexually abusive pastors often accuse victims and whistleblowers of being like Potiphar’s wife.
False accusations do occur but are extremely rare. (In the over 4,000 years of history covered in the Bible, this is the only example of a false accusation.) It’s foolish to say false allegations never happen but more foolish to exaggerate their frequency to defend accused abusers.
Equating sexual abuse victims to “Potiphar’s wife” is reading the passage backwards. Potiphar’s wife is the abuser and Joseph is the victim. If anyone in this story is analogous to a sexual abuse victim, it is Joseph and if anyone in this story is analogous to an abusive pastor, it is Potiphar’s wife.
Modern society didn’t invent sexual assault and abuse by leaders like CEOs, moguls, or pastors. It has been around a long time.
Any sexual abuse victim would spot the familiar pattern Joseph faced: unwanted attention, comments, messages, and contact, followed by the attack. Like many victims, Joseph tried to avoid being alone with his abuser, but she created an opportunity to take advantage of him. Then she manipulated the evidence to accuse Joseph of being the aggressor and make herself the victim.
Scripture doesn’t record Joseph telling Potiphar the truth. Perhaps Joseph did. Perhaps that is why Potiphar imprisoned him instead of killing him. But it seems more likely that Joseph, like many abuse victims, feared that the truth wouldn’t be believed, and never reported what truly happened.
We should emulate Joseph’s personal commitment to holiness. Even when it harms us to resist wickedness, as it did Joseph, we should do what is right regardless of the consequences.
We should empathize with Joseph’s unjust treatment and imprisonment, and advocate for today’s abuse victims. Many have been unjustly “imprisoned” by being ostracized from churches and communities. May we also be inspired to ensure our spaces are structured to keep people safe from “Potiphar’s wife-like” leaders.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
The Lord is King; let the people tremble; he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake. — Psalm 99.1
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: No DARVO
How can we live in a world dominated by Sauls and Ahabs, the disciples of DARVO? How can we know what the truth is and who is telling it?
Read more: Woe to Abusers and Victimizers
God will bring justice to victimizers and abusers…They will be the ones naked and exposed and shamed.
