Genesis 39:11

Genesis 39:11 says, And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  Joseph went into the house alone to conduct his business, and none of the other men were around.  Maybe he should have immediately left when he realized this, especially with Potipher's wife being like she was, but he did have business to attend to.  We, as followers of Christ, should try to never put ourselves in a compromising position, especially if we are already aware that there could be problems.  Verse twelve states, And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  Potipher's wife caught Joseph's garment and once again propositioned him.  She was determined to lead Joseph into a sinful situation, and he was just as determined not to commit this sin.  He chose to run to get out of the situation.  It is better to flee with nothing than to be seduced by sin.  Verse thirteen adds, And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,  Potipher's wife realized that Joseph had left his garment.  It seems that Joseph's garments were once more to be used to prove a lie.  I believe that Potipher's wife was probably anger that Joseph had once again refused her, and she saw the garment as a way to punish him, as we will see.  We should not be surprised when people of the world are unable get us to enter into a sinful situation that they may instead want to simply cause us trouble.  Verse fourteen declares, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:  Though I am sure that she was glad to be alone with Joseph a few minutes before, Potipher's wife now wanted the men of the house there, so she called them.  She said Joseph had attempted to have sexual relationships with her, and then she blamed Potipher for causing the problem.  Not only had Potipher brought Joseph into the house, but Joseph was a Hebrew, a foreigner.  We should never be surprised when someone attempts to blame others for their sins, but as followers of Christ, we should never do so.  Verse fifteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She claimed that she cried out and caused Joseph to flee without his garment.  The garment would be her proof.  Accusations of sexual misconduct are continually in the news today, and often there is no physical proof.  I personally believe that in most cases the accusations are most likely true, but we do know that some aren't, so it becomes a question of whom to believe.  I don't believe that we can accept some accusations and dismiss others simply because of whom the person is that is being accused.  Verse fifteen continues, And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.  As just discussed, Potipher's wife used Joseph's garment to support her claim.  In this respect, it became more than a she said situation.  She seemingly had proof.  Verse sixteen states, And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.  Potipher's wife kept Joseph's garment until Potipher got home.  She was determined to cause problems for Joseph.  Verse seventeen says, And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:  She began once more by laying the responsibility of her alleged attack on Potipher.  She reminded him that he had brought Joseph, this foreigner into the house.  It is not uncommon for people to attempt to blame their sins on anyone they can.  It was not enough to blame Joseph.  Potipher's wife wanted him to feel that he was responsible for what allegedly happened and make herself be the victim of both men.  Verse eighteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She repeated her lie to Potipher.  Hopefully, if anyone ever accuses us, as followers of Christ, of some sinful act it will have to be based on a lie, and we should always attempt to avoid situations where the lie might appear to be the truth.