To do the business of slave trading in most of the ancient countries was legal. Therefore, when Joseph was brought to Egypt, he was brought to the slave market for sale. Fortunately, he was bought by an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guards in the palace, Potiphar. And because of Joseph, God blessed Potiphar, so that his household was prosperous. Finally Joseph got promoted to be the overseer of the Potiphar’s household. For several years, God kept blessing upon this Egyptian captain. And he even entrusted Joseph everything besides his meals. By God’s grace, Joseph lived with a very comfortable life. But unfortunately, the problem and temptation gradually grew up.

Potiphar’s wife was a wicked woman. She began to love Joseph because he was a nice looking handsome man. She cast her eyes on Joseph and seduced him to sleep with her. But Joseph refused; he dared not to do so.

From the secular point of view, many people might ask: Why not? Because if Joseph chose to sleep with his master’s wife, he immediately could have the following benefits: First of all, enjoy the so called, "sexual life"; secondly, he could gain more trust and protection from his master and his wife. ; And furthermore, probably it would be a guarantee for Joseph’s future moving into a better life or even eventually to gain his freedom from slavery. But these thoughts were all from evil and human sinful desires. Joseph refused to give in, he said to her, "How could I do such great wickedness and sin against God?" Normally a person’s characteristics and faith rarely express, but when facing challenges regarding money, sex, and power, the real characteristics will be seen immediately.

One day when Joseph went to the house to do his work and no one was with him, Potiphar’s wife caught hold of Joseph’s garment and said to him, "Lie with me!"

But he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside. Felt being humiliated, this woman turned to be evil to harm Joseph. She screamed and shouted to people and accused that Joseph wanted to rape her. Poor Joseph, when Potiphar came home, Joseph was put in jail.

From human point of view, Joseph was pitiful. He had nowhere to turn to neither did he have future to go. It was as this situation: we see around, everywhere is blocked -- a dead end, no outlet; yet, there is still one side on the top of us which is always open – heaven -- God is still in control of everything. God had a better purpose for Joseph even when bad things happen to good people – God wanted to change "another school" for Joseph to learn something more. You see, at the house of Potiphar, mentally, Joseph could learn the Egyptian language, culture, knowledge, and custom as a slave; spiritually, he also learned how to resist the evil and temptation. Now he graduated. He needed to learn more hardship in order to build up the characteristics of patience and obedience when he stayed in the darkness of prison.

By the real situation and under the darkness and injustice, God shaped and equipped Joseph in the future to achieve great tasks. More importantly, Joseph consistently experienced the presence of God. That was the most important factor for him to become successful in everything… (to be continued…)