05. The Language of Temptation!

05. The Language of Temptation! “Come to bed with me!” (Genesis 39:7) That day, after finishing practice with the princess and heading home, I looked at my burnt hand. Thanks to the ointment the princess had applied, the blisters had shrunk, and the pain seemed to have subsided. After applying the ointment for a few days, the burn on my hand healed completely. Now, I could use my hand freely again. During that time, it was incredibly inconvenient, like a bird with one wing clipped. Not being able to use my right hand caused many difficulties in my work as well. Although it slightly hindered my practice with the princess, it also brought us closer in a new atmosphere and method, making it a meaningful period. Today, I focused more on the practice I had missed. Although there was a slight difference in feeling due to the lack of preparation over the past few days, it wasn’t a big problem. In fact, it was an opportunity to see things from a new perspective through daily repetition. After finishing practice and returning home, I stood in front of the gate and knocked hard. But no one came out. Joseph, puzzled, knocked louder. Finally, the gate opened slightly. It was strange that the gate opened without any sign of people. Joseph called out to the servants, “What are you doing?” He pushed the gate open forcefully. Inside, there were no servants, and Potiphar’s wife stood in the yard with her arms crossed. Potiphar’s wife had been avoiding Joseph for a few days out of guilt. Seeing the quiet house, Joseph asked Potiphar’s wife, “Where have all the servants gone?” Potiphar’s wife replied, “Does a steward not know about the servants?” Listening to her, Joseph realized something was wrong. He remembered the days he couldn’t manage the household due to his burn and felt sorry. He couldn’t make any excuses and just stood there. Then Potiphar’s wife shouted, “Follow me!” She led the way, and Joseph followed her to the master bedroom. Hesitating, Joseph stood at the door, and Potiphar’s wife shouted again, “Come in!” Joseph reluctantly entered the room. Potiphar’s wife offered him a cushion to sit on. As Joseph sat, Potiphar’s wife stared at him. Feeling guilty, Joseph apologized to her, thinking it was his fault for not being able to work. He asked what had happened. Potiphar’s wife moved closer and asked, “How is your burn?” She pulled his right arm and continued, “I’m sorry about that day, Joseph!” As she apologized, Joseph felt even more guilty for making a big deal out of it. “I’m more sorry! I was startled… Are you okay, ma’am?” When Joseph asked about her condition, Potiphar’s wife rolled up her sleeve and showed her arm. It wasn’t severely burnt, but it had turned dark. It seemed she hadn’t applied any ointment. “I’m sorry!” Seeing her arm, Joseph apologized again. Potiphar’s wife held his hand and apologized too. Suddenly, she started crying. Joseph, never having dealt with a crying woman alone, was at a loss.“No, ma’am! It’s my fault!”As he apologized again,  Potiphar’s wife cried even more. Then she called Joseph, “Joseph! Please do me a favor!” Joseph wondered what she meant. “Does Potiphar’s wife have a favor to ask me?” He asked, “What is it?” As soon as he finished speaking, Potiphar’s wife said, “Joseph! Just hug me once!” “What?” Joseph couldn’t believe what he heard. Potiphar’s wife moved closer and repeated, “Joseph! Please hug me just once!” She tried to hug him, but Joseph stepped back, “Why are you doing this, ma’am?” Potiphar’s wife pleaded more openly, “Hug me just once, Joseph!” Joseph replied, “Ma’am, General Potiphar has entrusted me with everything in the house, but not you. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Despite his strong refusal, Potiphar’s wife tried to hug him again. Joseph raised his arm to block her. She grabbed his arm, but Joseph shook her off and tried to leave. Potiphar’s wife grabbed his coat as he turned to leave. Joseph left his coat behind and ran out. Potiphar’s wife, feeling humiliated and angry, shouted, “Joseph! I won’t let you get away with this! I won’t let you!”She sat on the floor, crying like a madwoman. That evening, Joseph returned to his room, feeling suffocated and as if the ground was sinking. “Just when things seemed to be getting better, this happens!” Knowing Potiphar’s wife’s personality, she wouldn’t let this go. She would surely trap him. No one would believe him, no matter how truthful he was. He remembered her last words, “I won’t let you get away with this!” She was a terrifying woman. Joseph had no other options. He could either run away or accept the false accusation. But running away would be futile. He would be caught eventually. Joseph had no choice but to accept the situation. “Is there no other way but to accept and acknowledge the situation?” His mind was in turmoil with these thoughts.