Ben Shiller Jacob
Joseph’s life history unravels a pattern of life and death that is secluded from plain sight. His life comprised of hidden gems of Yahweh’s principles which you and I should actively pursue and excavate with much effort. From being a young lad to being a second in command of Pharaoh, Joseph had many things to speak to us. When we closely examine Joseph’s story, we see a pattern of unusual fluctuations, a series of extreme rises and dips from a young lad to second in command of Egypt before it becomes steady. His life was an amalgamation of bliss and hell
One might ask why Joseph’s life was comprised of good days and bad days? Why he had to suffer much when he was a fairly decent young man compared to his brothers or even many characters in the entire Bible? Truth to be told, one reaps what one sows. All things Joseph encountered irrespective of good or bad in nature were the harvests of what he sowed. It is a great principle created by Yahweh yet often ignored. As a matter of fact, every system of the world is encompassed in this principle. In the world of physics, Sir Isaac Newton describes this principle as every action has equal and opposite reaction, his third law of motion. If we ask a Hindu, he answers as karma. A biblical teacher terms it as sowing and reaping. The principle remains same yet termed differently in relation to the system it is applied.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
Now, let’s dive into Genesis 39:7 to find out the sowing and reaping effect behind Joseph’s suffering in his master’s house.
And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
Joseph became a servant in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. As the Lord was with him, he prospered in all his works. It became evident to Potiphar that Joseph surely a blessed one of the Lord and the Lord blessed Potiphar’s house as well for the sake of Joseph. As a result, His master put Joseph in charge of everything he had. Joseph became an overseer of Potiphar’s house in a matter of time. When Bible says Joseph was good looking and well favored, some historical texts say that Joseph looked like a noble angel.
Casting Longing Eyes
Casting eyes on something or someone means to desire or covet to have or to own them. In other words, having greedy eyes.
Because of his attractiveness physically and in character, Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph. In rabbinic texts, Potiphar’s wife’s name is mentioned as Zelikah. Zelikah cast her coveting eyes upon Joseph as he looked like an angel not only to Zelikah but to all the Egyptians around.
Rabbinic texts give an insight of what Zelikah commented one time about Joseph to other women “What would you do if you saw him every day like I do”. On one side, this remark shows a strong feeling of lust toward Joseph, on the flip side reveals his glorious outlook.
This incident was a reaping effect of what Joseph sowed in his relationship with his brothers whether you believe it or not.
Let’s have a look at the root cause of Zelikah’s casting eyes on Joseph.
Joseph brought very evil reports about his brothers to his father, Jacob.
Genesis 37:2
Everything starts with Jacob when he showed favoritism toward Joseph among other his sons. The reason Bible tells behind this was Joseph was the son of his old age (Gen 37:3). No father should treat their children differently for any reason. This must be a reminder to every parent. This favoritism created within Joseph being a young kid a wrong attitude towards other brothers. This attitude became a false mindset in Joseph, prompting him to make him even better before his father Jacob by finding fault in his other brothers, that way he thought he could maintain his position of being the favorite child of his father. Here, Joseph was trying to convince his father that his other sons were bad, not following what Jacob had taught them. Bible failed to mention that Joseph tried at least once to correct his brothers instead of reporting their misdeeds. Literally, Joseph cast his eyes upon his brothers to find their misconduct. In other words, he kept an eye on his brothers for bad. His eyes followed them to accuse them before his father. Joseph’s casting eyes opened a door to the enemy to cause Zelikah, Potiphar’s wife, to cast eyes upon Joseph. What Joseph sowed in his relationship with brothers, he reaped in his master’s house later in his life.
Shiller’s Takeaway
As sons of Yahweh, it is imperative to understand the power of the principle of sowing and reaping. This principle is not restricted to the people of the Old Testament but to the whole of humanity. We are not spared from this foundational principle by which the earth was created. This is what Yeshua said:
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38
Whatever you give (could be your time, money, usage of senses etc.) in good or bad way, you will reap the benefits of it. Yeshua wasn’t only speaking about the good things but also the bad things as well.
For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 12:37
So, anything that we do outside the love of Yahweh, we must suffer the consequences that come with the action. I emphasize, we, sons of Yahweh are not spared.
Communion with a Contrite Heart
Heavenly Father, we come before the throne of grace and mercy by our Yeshua. We adore you, Father! Open the eyes of our mind to walk in the Spirit and discern evil from bad thereby overcome every wile of the enemy by your love that you demonstrated through our Redeemer, Yeshua. We ask You to flood our heart with Your Agape love in Yeshua’s name we pray – AMEN!