Today I read Genesis 38 and 39, in which Judah deals with an honorable Tamar and Joseph runs from a dishonorable Potiphar’s wife. The widowed Tamar was trying to have a child to carry on her husband’s name. Potiphar’s wife was trying to commit adultery. Today I considered how Tamar got what she desired while Potiphar’s wife lost Joseph and Joseph was promoted.
Tamar
Tamar’s desire was to ensure the line of her husband’s family. Joseph’s brother Judah married his first and second sons to Tamar. God killed both sons because Er was wicked (Genesis 38:7) and Onan refused to give Tamar a child for Er’s legacy (Genesis 38:9-10). Judah feared marrying his last son to Tamar. Tamar secretly dressed as a harlot to get pregnant by Judah. Judah admitted he was wrong and acknowledged Tamar’s children. God blessed this widow who risked everything to protect the lineage of her husband, the lineage now counted in the ancestry of Christ (Matthew 1:1-16).
Potiphar’s Wife
Potiphar’s wife’s false accusation put Joseph a step closer to the king. Joseph was bought by Potiphar and became his most trusted servant. Potiphar’s wife continually tried to seduce Joseph and caught him one day alone grabbing him by his clothes. Joseph left his garment to flee her. Potiphar’s wife claimed Joseph tried to seduce her. Joseph was put in the king’s prison and God blessed him to become the overseer of the prison (Genesis 39:22). God can protect and elevate us even when we are falsely accused.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Tamar risked everything, including her life, doing what she considered was right and her lineage is now one Christians all over the world can appreciate because of the birth of Christ. Potiphar’s wife did wrong loosing even the ability to watch the handsome Joseph, while Joseph was continually blessed.
Have you ever seen someone do wrong like Potiphar’s wife, loose what they desired the most, while the other person ended up being elevated?