Genesis 39

Genesis 39:1

ANd Joseph] Moses returneth againe to the story of Joseph (whence he made some digression concerning Judah and Thamar) and goeth on with it to the end of the Chapter.

and Potiphar, &c.] See Chap. 37. vers. 24. 36. with the Annotations upon them.

Genesis 39:2

a prosperous man] The favour of God is the fountaine of all prosperitie, and therefore though God many times use secondarie means, as a mans owne diligence, and others benevolence, to make him prosper, we must direct our prayers onely to God, that we may doe so, and our praises to him when it is so.

Genesis 39:3

his master saw] By the effects, for though he knew not the true God, he might know that some Divine power ruling over mens affaires gave good successe to what he did and dealt in. See Annot. on Chap. 30. 5: 27.

Genesis 39:4

found grace in his sight] Though he were hated of his brethren he was favoured by a stranger; that was another effect of Gods favour, and therefore to be sought for at Gods hand, as Neh. 2. 4, 5.

overseer] For this office was requisite some acquaintance with the Egyptian Tongue, to the learning whereof no doubt he had addicted himselfe; and he was very capable of that or any other skill else he could not so soone have beene sufficient for such Offices as were put upon him; it is like at first he spake it imperfectly, but use in one so ingenious would advance apace to proficiencie: Here we see an instance of the Divine providence, for Joseph was sold to be a servant, a slave, but God preferres him from a state of contempt to a place of Authoritie; his diligence and faithfulnesse made him well accepted of his Master, according to that of Solomon, He that waiteth on his master shall be honoured, Proverbs 27:18. Thus the prediction of his Dreame begins to worke, which by degrees (though with some interruptions) proceeded to an higher preeminence of honour, and power.

all that he had he put] Because God prospered him, Potiphar thus trusted him, and so he made Religion to serve his profit.

Genesis 39:5

for Josephs sake] The wicked doe foolishly in setting themselves against the godly, whom if they would respect, as they ought, they might enjoy as affectionate, and faithfull friends, and trusty servants, on whose fidelitie they might relye with much ease, and advantage to themselves. See Annot. on Chap. 30. vers. 27.

Genesis 39:6

ought he had, save the bread] The words are taken to be a proverbiall speech, whereof the meaning is, that he was assured that all things should prosper wel, therefore he did eat and drinke and tooke no care: by bread is meant in the phrase of Scripture, that which is necessary for a mans sustenance, especially his diet; of that he tooke more notice, because he would please his palate; or it may be Joseph had lesse to doe in that, then in other matters, because there was something peculiar in the diet of the Egyptians, whence it was that the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews: for it was an abomination to the Egyptians, Genesis 43:32.

a goodly person, and well favoured] Sometimes God is pleased to joyne inward, and outward grace in the same person; that beautie may make grace more acceptable with carnall people, and grace may make beautie more safe from their solicitations, and from selfe-conceit, 1 Samuel 16:12.

Genesis 39:7

after these things] After Joseph had served Potiphar first as a servant, then as a more especiall attendant on his person; lastly, as a chiefe Officer in his house, which might take up about nine or ten yeares time.

cast her eyes] Beautie is a dangerous object to a wanton eye, and a wicked heart; in which respect blemishes, and blindnesse may be born with more patience, since by the one we are not so apt to give, by the other not so apt to take occasion of sinne.

Lie with me] In these words is declared the summe whereto all her flatteries did tend; for it is like her solicitations to lust (at least at the first) were not in the plaine expression here set downe, but her favourable, and familiar usage of him, liker a friend then a Mistresse, (though in the language of our time a Mistresse is but a she familiar) by wanton glances, and sometimes by words of immodest intimation, which in effect sorted to no other meaning then these words expresse.

Genesis 39:9

how then can I] The grace of God is a powerfull restraint against the provocation of sinne; so that the godly cannot consent unto it, 1 John 3:9. whereas the wicked on the contrary cannot cease from it, 2 Peter 2:14.

this great wickednesse] Adulterie is a great wickednesse: first, because it is a theft of that which is most precious, and should be most peculiar to the owner, as in this verse is shewed; and therfore the suspition or jealousie of injurie in it raiseth the rage of a man to such an height, that it will not be allayed without revenge, Proverbs 6:34-35. And it stealeth sometimes an heire into a mans estate, or at least thrusteth in for a portion among the legitimate children a stranger that hath no right to be a sharer with them. Secondly, marriage being not made without the bond of loyalty, the breach of that bond is treachery. Thirdly, in a religious and godly person it is sacriledge, for the body of such a one is the Temple of the holy Ghost, 1 Corinthians 6:19. and to turne the temple of God to the use of carnall pollution is a profane sacriledge. Fourthly, besides all this Joseph if he should yeeld to his lascivious Mistresse, should shew himselfe not onely ungratious towards God, but ungratefull unto a very kind, and respective Master: not without great cause then, he called Adultery a great wickednesse.

against God] The feare of God preserved him against her continuall temptations. See Chap. 42. 18. Nehemiah 5:15. See Annot on Chap. 20. vers. 6.

Genesis 39:10

day by day] Heb. day day. That is, daily: the word doubled imports continuance of time without intermission; so also Exodus 16:5. Or omission, Leviticus 6:12. Deuteronomy 14:22. Or progresse in place without diversion or digression, Deuteronomy 2:27. We see here how sinne abounded in the tempter, and in the tempted how grace abounded much more, with whom such uncessant solicitations could not prevaile; which should be remembred as a patterne of perseverance in the resistance of sinne.

or to be with her] Occasions of evill, 1 Timothy 5:14. yea and the appearances of it also, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. are to be avoided, as well as the evill it selfe: The societie then of the wicked is to be shunned, Proverbs 1:15. especially of such as are tempters to sinne, Proverbs 5:8.

Genesis 39:11

his businesse] That is, the businesse that belonged to his office, and that being private (for privacie afforded her a fit opportunitie to tempt) it is like it was ordering the accounts, and reckonings of his charge.

none—there within] It is like Potiphar was abroad at some feast, or some publique occasion, and had most of his servants with him; his wife making her selfe an occasion to stay at home with a few of her family, whereof Joseph was one.

Genesis 39:12

caught him by the garment] How unruly a thing is lawlesse lust, which breakes through the bonds both of conscience, and of modestie, putting a woman (who by her sexe should be shamefast, and by her calling (as being the wife of a Governour a Mistresse) grave) into an impudent offer to commit a rape upon a man.

he left his garment] He stayes not to parley with her, no not so much as to plead with her against her lewd motion, having done that before, because the temptation came to such an height, it might be more safe to fly from it then to fight with it; much lesse would he though strong enough (being an able young man) strive with her to recover his garment againe, for he liked it the worse for her sake, and feared he might be tainted with the touch of her.

Genesis 39:14

she called to the men] She went out and made a noise to those few that were in or about the house; see vers. 11. Where we see the difference betwixt meere lust, and true love; that oft times turnes to hate, whether unsatisfied, as here, or satisfied, as 2 Samuel 13:15. whereas true love is constant, and would not make a quarrell for such repulses of sinne, but would rather take them for occasion of thankes, as David did when he was kept by Abiail from his bloudy purpose against Nabal, 1 Sam. 25.

to mock] That is, so to abuse one that others may mock, and contemne him; though ordinarily to mock, is to delude, disappoint ones expectation; so Baalam chargeth his asse with mocking him, Numbers 22:29.

mock us] To make Joseph the more maligned, she intitles the offence in generall termes, as if it were a nationall wrong of an Hebrew against the Egyptians, who were forward enough to take offence under that title. See Genesis 43:32.

he came—to lie with] The manner of the wicked is to charge that upon the innocent, whereof themselves are most guilty; the blasphemous Jewes charge Christ with blasphemie, Matthew 26:65. And the hereticall Church of Antichrist cals the most Orthodoxe Christians by the name of Heretiques; and many account the best Christians troublers of the State, as Ahab did, 1 Kings 18:17. when not they, but themselves are those that trouble it.

Genesis 39:17

which thou hast brought] She layeth a fault upon him, that to quit himselfe to her, he may lay more rigour upon Joseph.

Genesis 39:20

into prison] It was strange that Potiphar being a Military man, Master of the slaughter men, as is noted on Chap. 37. vers. 36. and so incensed against Joseph for a crime so capitall, brake not out into some mortall violence; this must be imputed to the power of Gods providence, who can bridle mens corruptions, or manacle their hands, as pleaseth himselfe; so he withheld Abimelech from Sarah, Gen. Chap. 20. vers. 6. and David from Nabal and his houshold, 1 Sam. 25. 32, 33. who stoppeth the Lions mouthes, Daniel 6:22. setteth bounds to the swelling waves, Job 26:10. and suspendeth the operations of the fire, that though it blaze it cannot burne, Dan. 3. 21, 22, &c. under whose favour, and power is sufficient securitie, against the anger, and terrour of the whole world.

prison] And in the Dungeon also, Chap. 40. vers. 15. his evill intreatment there may be gathered by Psalms 105:18.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph] He suffered not onely as an evill doer, though he were none, but for an evill doer; for if the truth had beene known, the wife of Potiphar had beene fitter to be put in prison then he; but howsoever he were misdeemed among the Egyptians, God knew his innocencie, and was with him in prison, as well as in the house of his Master. How good is it to have God for our friend, who will be with those he loves as well in their affliction, as in their prosperitie, and will shew them light in the place of darknesse, Psalms 112:4. though it be the darknesse of a prison?

gave him favour] See Annot. on vers. 4.

Genesis 39:22

he was the doer of it] Not that he was as a common drudge to doe every ones worke, but that having the rule of the whole prison, all things were done either by him, or by his command, or direction.

Genesis 39:23

looked not to any thing] See Annot. on vers. 6.

the LORD made it to prosper] Psal. 1. vers. 3. See Annot. on vers. 2. & 3.