John Calvin Commentary Genesis 39:11

"And it came to pass about this time, that he went into the house to do his work; and there was none of the men of the house there within." — Genesis 39:11 (ASV)

And it came to pass about this time. That is, in the process of time, since she would not desist from soliciting holy Joseph, it finally happens that she adds force to her flattery. Now, Moses here describes the crisis of the combat. Joseph had already exhibited a noble and memorable example of constancy because, as a youth, so often tempted over many successive days, he had maintained his steadfast course. And at that age, for which pardon is usually granted if it gives way to intemperance, he was more moderate than almost any old man.

But now when the woman openly raves, and her love is turned into fury, the more arduous the contest has become, the more worthy of praise is his magnanimity, which remains inflexible against this assault. Joseph saw that he must incur the danger of losing both his reputation and his life: he chose to sacrifice his reputation and was prepared to relinquish life itself, rather than be guilty of such wickedness before God.

Since the Spirit of God presents to us such an example in a youth, what excuse does He leave for men and women of mature age, if they voluntarily plunge themselves into crime, or fall into it through a slight temptation? To this, therefore, we must direct all our efforts, so that regard for God alone may prevail to subdue all carnal affections, and that we may value a good and upright conscience even more highly than the praise of the whole world.

For no one will prove that he truly loves virtue, except the one who, being content with God as his only witness, does not hesitate to submit to any disgrace, rather than stray from the path of duty. And truly, since even among pagans such proverbs as these are common, “that conscience is a thousand witnesses,” and that it is “a most beautiful theater,” we should be greatly ashamed of our insensibility, if the tribunal of God does not stand so conspicuously in our view as to overshadow all the perverse judgments of the world.

Therefore, away with those vain pretexts, “I wish to avoid offense,” “I am afraid lest men misinterpret what I have done rightly;” because God does not regard Himself as being duly honored unless we, ceasing to be anxious about our own reputation, follow wherever He alone calls us; not that He wishes us simply to be indifferent to our own reputation, but because it is an indignity, as well as an absurdity, that He should not be preferred to men.

Let, then, the faithful, as much as is in their power, endeavor to edify their neighbors by the example of an upright life; and to this end, let them prudently guard against every mark of evil. But if it is necessary to endure the infamy of the world, let them proceed, through this temptation also, in the direction of their divine vocation.

He hath brought in an Hebrew unto us. Here we see what desperation can bring about. For the wicked woman breaks forth from love into fury. From this it clearly appears what brutal impulses lust brings with it, when its reins are loosened. Certainly, once alien Satan has gained dominion over miserable men, he never ceases to hurry them here and there, until he drives them headlong by a spirit of giddiness and madness.

We see, also, how he hardens the reprobate to obstinacy, whom he holds firmly bound under his power. God, indeed, often inspires the wicked with terror, so that they commit their crimes with trembling. And it is possible that the signs of a guilty conscience appeared in the expression and in the words of this impure woman; nevertheless, Satan confirms her in such a degree of hardness that she boldly decides to ruin the holy youth and, in that moment, contrives the fraud by which she may oppress him, though innocent, just as if she had long meditated at leisure on his destruction.

She had previously sought secrecy, so that no witness might be present; now she calls her servants, so that, by this kind of prejudgment of the case, she may condemn the youth before her husband. Besides, she involves her husband in the accusation, so that she may compel him, through a sense of shame, to punish the guiltless.

“It is by your fault,” she says, “that this stranger has been mocking me.” What other course does she leave open to her husband than that he should hasten, with closed eyes, to avenge her, for the sake of purging himself from this charge? Therefore, though all wicked persons are fearful, yet they acquire such hardness from their insensibility that no fear hinders them from rushing obstinately forward into every abyss of iniquity and insolently trampling upon the good and simple.

And we must observe this trial of the holy man, so that we may be careful to be clothed with that spirit of fortitude, which not even the iron-hardness of the wicked will be able to break. Even this other trial was not a slight one: that he receives so unworthy a reward for his kindness. He had covered the disgrace of the woman in silence, so that she might have had an opportunity to repent, if she had been curable; he now sees that, by his modesty, he has brought himself into danger of death.

We learn from his not sinking under the trial that it was his sincere determination to yield himself freely to the service of God. And we must do the same, so that the ingratitude of men may by no means cause us to swerve from our duty.