Potiphar's Wife Series

Just off the shore of North Carolina on the island of Cape Hatteras is a village known as Nag’s Head, a small shoreline town where, back in the 1800’s, the “wreckers” lived. These “wreckers” made their living gathering up parts and cargo from ships that had run aground in the night. But these ships didn’t run aground accidentally. No, they were lured into the rocks by these “wreckers” – deceitful men who had fastened a lighted lantern onto the head of an old nag – a horse (thus the name Nag’ Head) – and would then lead the old horse up and down and back and forth on the edge of Diamond Shoals beach. Ships out at sea would mistake the bobbing lantern for the stern light of a ship that they supposed had found safe passage through the mid-Atlantic, and they would, in turn, head in that direction, only to run aground on the rocks. With nowhere to go, the crew and the ship were no contest for the wreckers, who would pillage the ship and all its cargo. In fact, “wrecking” became a thriving business in Nag’s Head, even though it was built on treachery. Even now guests to Nag’s Head can see old homes built and furnished with the material taken from the more than 2,300 ships that were misguided and ultimately destroyed.

For the past two Sunday’s, we have talked about women of integrity and of faith.

There are many of these women in the Bible

But along with women of integrity and faith, there are women of disseat and trickery

Today, we are going to talk about one of those women.

Her name is unknown, but her actions have been remembered by many.

Many of us know the story of Joseph

Joseph was the son of a named Jacob

Joseph had many brothers, many of which became very jealous of Joseph.

Jacob favored Joseph and his other brother Benjamin b/c they came from a woman named Rachel (who died while giving birth of Benjamin)

Well, one day Joseph’s brothers became so jealous and upset with him that they sold him into slavery.

Joseph went to Egypt and was bought by Potiphar as a slave

Later on, Joseph would become the most powerful man and ruler of Egypt, only second to the Pharaoh.

In our story, this handsome and well-built servant catches the eye of Potiphar’s wife.

She has probably flirted with Joseph on different occasions

And to her surprise, nothing has come of it.

But one day, scripture tells us that she finally gets her chance to try and seduce Joseph.

The scene has been set, no one is around and her husband isn’t around

Joseph is in the house and Potiphar’s wife invites him to sleep with her.

As the story goes, Joseph runs out of the room to avoid her and he leaves his jacket beyond.

This jacket would be used to convince Potiphar of Joseph’s attack on his wife

Each person and their actions can teach us something and God uses these people in the Bible as instruction for us.

So, what can we learn from the actions of Potiphar’s wife?

There are always going to be people out there that want to cause us to sin.

~They will do their best to pull us away from God

~Potiphar’s wife was doing just that, trying to cause Joseph to sin b/c of her attraction to him

To remain people of integrity means that we will sometimes offend others.

~Joseph wanted to respect his master, but in return he offended the master’s wife

~There will be times when we need to do the right thing, even if it’s unpopular

Finally, Potiphar’s wife demonstrates to us that sin and evil are everywhere.

~Sin is not based on economics or social classes

~Sin is everywhere and we need to make sure that we guard against it

~Joseph was focused on God.

~He didn’t let his emotions or desires control the situation

In the same way, we need to be focused on God and Christ so we don’t let our emotions and desires control us.