Genesis 39:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Reflect on the profound mercy of the Lord towards all humanity. Just as He once rescued Joseph from the hands of his brothers, who sought to take his life, arranging for him to be cast into a pit at the suggestion of Reuben, and later sold to merchants through Judah’s counsel, so too did the Almighty intervene at this moment, restraining the aggressor and preventing an immediate act of murder against the young man. What could have stopped him from such an act, particularly upon learning that Joseph had allegedly sought to dishonor his household? Yet, in His kindness, God orchestrated events such that Joseph's master displayed remarkable restraint.

Upon hearing his wife's words, the husband promptly accepted them as truth, which was indeed the reality.

I would consider him fortunate, even while confined, as he has endured martyrdom for his purity. Indeed, purity is a precious gift, yet it holds greater value when it is placed in jeopardy. When it is upheld at the cost of one’s life, it earns a more glorious reward. Joseph finds himself imprisoned without a trial, labeled as a criminal, yet the Lord did not forsake him in his confinement. Let not the innocent feel despair, even if they face false accusations and unjust incarceration. The Lord visits His own, even within the walls of a prison. Thus, where there is greater peril, there is often more divine assistance.

The righteous individual viewed his confinement as a grand estate, yet in truth, he was a grand estate within the prison itself. For wherever faith, purity, and sanctity dwell, there exists the realm of Christ, the sanctuary of God, the abode of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if a man finds delight in the appearance of his body, and a woman takes pride in her physical allure, the man should look to Joseph as his model, and the woman to Susanna (See Dan. 13:22-24). They are called to embrace purity in body and chastity in spirit, for such individuals are deemed beautiful not only in the eyes of humanity but also before God. Within the Church, three exemplars of chastity should be emulated: Joseph, Susanna, and Mary. Men ought to follow Joseph's example, women should take after Susanna, and every virgin is called to mirror Mary.

Consequently, while the Lord acknowledged her accusations, He may have harbored some suspicion towards His wife, knowing how easily the nature of women can be swayed by desire, particularly when influenced by physical beauty, which can ensnare even the strongest. Therefore, He did not grant Joseph the opportunity to defend himself as he was wrongfully accused, leading to his imprisonment. In this action, he did not behave cruelly, contrary to what some might think, for he could have executed Joseph or adhered to the laws that prescribed death for such allegations. Rather, he may have recognized that his wife, fueled by a passionate affection for Joseph and unable to achieve her desires, had fabricated the accusations.

By reflecting on the sufferings of Christ, Joseph found himself in prison. Our Joseph, or Christ as Isaiah proclaims, was regarded as one of the unrighteous (Isaiah 53:12). The Righteous One is led among the transgressors by the wisdom of God, who, as written, descended with him into the depths and did not abandon him in chains (Prem. 10:14). Our Joseph who is Christ thus declares, I have been made like a man without aid, among the dead, free (Psalm 87:5-6).

The woman acted upon her intentions and deceived her husband, who believed her lies. However, God watched over the situation. St. Joseph was imprisoned, wrongfully accused despite his innocence before God. Yet, God did not abandon him, for in His eyes, Joseph was blameless. The Lord was present with St. Joseph. His devotion to what is pure shielded him from the allure of the woman's love. Unaffected by both time and her persistent advances, he did not succumb to her temptations. The shameless woman conspired against him, making secret advances and using seductive words to entice him into sin. Although Joseph resisted her efforts, he was ultimately trapped when he tried to escape.

Joseph was further sanctified through his imprisonment, as he endured suffering in defense of his purity. The gift of chastity is precious, and when it stands firm even against formidable challenges, it receives an even greater reward.

Many, especially those in positions of authority, grievously err by trusting unfounded rumors rather than seeking firsthand evidence; they unjustly condemn the innocent while neglecting to scrutinize the facts. Did not Pentephrius in Egypt imprison the righteous and holy Joseph, accepting the slanders of his unfaithful wife without verifying her claims? And what of Constantine, a significant figure among rulers? He, in a moment of misguided judgment, took the life of his beloved son Crispus, who was virtuous, innocent, and cherished by all, based solely on the false accusations of his stepmother, Thausta, who sought to gratify her malevolent desires.

To Pentephrius, his actions appeared so comprehensive and justified, likely due to the ingrained nature of such behavior, that it never crossed his mind to question it during the prolonged period Joseph suffered in confinement, until he was liberated by God's providence. It is not surprising that a Gentile, unaware of the true God, could fall into such a misjudgment regarding an atrocity; even the holy individuals faced similar trials when they overlooked the fact that an accusation and its punishment must be preceded by fair judgment. This oversight led the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine to mistakenly condemn his innocent and dearly beloved son, Crispus, who had been falsely accused by his stepmother, Fausta, just as Joseph was wrongfully slandered by the Egyptian woman.