The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife (Genesis, chapter 39) has always disturbed me somehow. I guess that's the point. It makes one think. I mean, really, why not just give into the woman? Of course, if he had, Joseph would never have been thrown in prison, became pharaoh's right hand man or eventually been in a position to save the region from famine. Joseph's story only became really interesting to me, however, when I realized that what really would have derailed him from accomplishing all that he did was if he was not able to forgive. He forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery and no doubt he forgave Potiphar's wife as well. If he had spent his time complaining about how unfair life was or condemning those who had hurt him he would not have been able to see the opportunities that were being presented to him. He was too busy living and doing to worry about pointing fingers and labeling people as "sinners" or "infidels". One moves towards where they are looking. Joseph obviously wasn't looking at other people's short comings but at the good that could be accomplished. To me this explains why he could just walk away.
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