Chapter Eight - Temptation
Esna was feeling down, Potiphar had returned to duty. Pharaoh, as usual, kept him away from home. The week they spent together had brought them closer, but the emotional high was wearing off. Esna was bored. She began to make plans to resume her hectic social activities. ‘At least, that way I do not have to think about Potiphar being away from home so much.' Her social whirl recommenced; Esna’s life once again became a continual round of banquets and outings. Life with Potiphar became a time of strain and tension. Esna chided him about the little time he spent with her.
“Potiphar, do you have to spend so much time on your work? What about me? Obviously, I do not matter to you anymore.”
Potiphar castigated her for her thoughtlessness. “You knew when you married me that there would be times when I would be away from home. It's not my fault if Pharaoh keeps sending me away on assignments.” Potiphar could not understand why she got so angry with him.
Esna understood that Potiphar had to work away from home; what really upset her was the little time she and Potiphar spent together. He spent so much time on his work he hardly had any time for her it made her so angry! When Potiphar did find a little time to spend with her, she would not allow him to embrace her.
Joseph did what he could to pour oil on troubled waters. He prayed earnestly that God would heal the rift between them. It saddened him to see the Master and Mistress growing apart. He made sure that he did not favour either party. He took a neutral stand.
Potiphar and Esna realised that Joseph was endeavouring to heal the rift, thus, they did not try to apply any pressure on him to side with one or the other. The tension between them was a source of friction between the servants. Potiphar issued an order and Esna countermanded it; then issued her own instructions. Joseph often had to step in and sort out the situation in a diplomatic manner. Esna was getting more irritable.
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Esna was getting tired of continual banquets. ‘Today I’ll spend a quiet day at home.' She called Joseph in to tell him of her decision.
“Joseph, I am not going anywhere today, I am spending a quiet day at home.”
“Yes, Mistress Esna, do you want any special meals prepared?”
“No, Joseph.”
Esna suddenly realised how much Joseph had matured. He had grown into a handsome, dignified man. She took another appreciative look at Joseph. Joseph was not aware that Esna was studying him carefully. Esna dismissed Joseph; he went about his normal duties. Esna was thoughtful; she had felt a sudden attraction to Joseph. It bothered her!
Joseph was an excellent steward he was one of her favourite servants. This impulsive attraction to him was an entirely new feeling. Esna could not escape the attraction she felt towards Joseph. Each time she saw him that day, she felt a sudden urge to keep him in her company. It worried her!
Joseph was oblivious to what Esna was going through. The thought would never have entered his head, that the Mistress was attracted to him.
Esna had a difficult day, she told herself that she was stupid, she was a married woman. Potiphar was a good husband and provider. 'I must stop this silly nonsense, at once.’ Esna resolved to ignore the attraction she felt towards Joseph, but each glimpse of Joseph set her thinking again.
‘Tomorrow, I will resume my normal activities; that will put an end to this.’ Esna stayed in her private rooms most of the day. She deliberately kept away from Joseph.
Next day Esna when off to a banquet as usual; however, the banquet did not give her the satisfaction she needed. Amidst the idle chit chat and small talk she felt lonely and bored, and desperately unhappy. Her face did not show these emotions; to those around she was the same bright, laughing Esna. Esna was miserable; she could not dismiss Joseph from her thoughts. She knew it was wrong, but, she wished she was at home near Joseph.
‘Anyway, I don’t need an excuse to be in my own home.' The banquet dragged on. Esna wanted to go home. It would be rude to leave without a good reason, so Esna stayed until the other guests were leaving.
She was glad to get home, she called for Joseph. Joseph came in and greeted her, “Mistress Esna, did you have a good day?”
Esna replied, “Yes, it was a nice banquet Joseph. I will have an early evening meal. Please prepare it at once.”
Esna felt it again, a compulsion to be with Joseph. Esna had a troubled sleep that night. She could not get Joseph off her mind. She dreamed that she was following him around, just to be near him. Morning was not much better; she found excuses to see Joseph. Esna decided not to go out that day; she wanted to be around Joseph. ‘What is happening to me? I can’t get Joseph off my mind.’ Esna’s thoughts were troubled.
Joseph thought it was unusual for the Mistress to spend two days at home without some sort of social engagement.’ Oh, well! She must know what she is doing. I hope that she is not feeling sick. I will keep an eye on her.’ Unwittingly, Joseph made matters worse; he found reasons to see Esna. The result was that Esna saw a great deal of Joseph that day.
Esna began to spend more time at home. The servants became used to her presence in the house again. Potiphar noticed that Esna was in a more subdued mood. She did not seem so angry with him, and she was not as tense. Things were more peaceful in the house. Their relationship was not back to normal, but, it had certainly improved lately. He was pleased that she had cut back on her hectic social round. He thought that was the reason for their marital problems.
Esna was a good actress; Potiphar had no reason to suspect that another man was in her thoughts. Potiphar wished that Pharaoh would take him off the constant assignments that took him away from home. 'Perhaps then I can spend some time with Esna and sort out our marriage.’
Esna could not get Joseph off her mind, she had tried, but to no avail. It was becoming an obsession; she had to be near Joseph. She wanted to be in his arms. Her infatuation could not be kept secret any longer. 'I must reveal my feelings to Joseph.’
Esna sought an opportunity to make sure that she and Joseph were alone together; without any likelihood of interruptions by the other servants. She found tasks for her hand maidens in other parts of the house. She made sure that all the men servants were occupied away from her private rooms. When Esna was satisfied that her privacy was assured, she found one of her house boys and told him to find Joseph and ask him to come and see her immediately. The house boy hurried off to find Joseph.
Joseph wondered what Mistress Esna wanted him for this time. She had certainly called for him a lot lately; most of the time it was for trivial things. He walked into the private suite. None of the handmaidens seemed to be around.
He called out in a moderate tone, “Mistress Esna are you there?”
Esna was pleased Joseph had arrived. She had put on fresh clothing and anointed herself with aromatic oils.
“I am in here Joseph.”
Joseph walked into the anti-chamber that led into the Master’s bedroom. Esna was reclining on huge floor cushions; underneath the cushions he could see a beautifully woven floor rug. The sweet odours of Esna’s perfume wafted through the air. Esna smiled at him and sat up gracefully.
“Joseph, come over here and sit down.”
Joseph could not help noticing Esna’s beautiful figure beneath her robe. Her movements accentuated her figure.
A small voice inside him seemed to be saying, “Danger, danger!”
Joseph moved closer to Esna, but he remained standing. Esna patted a cushion near her and said, “Sit down here, Joseph.”
Joseph stayed where he was and said, “Mistress Esna, I am in the middle of important work for Master Potiphar.”
Esna, once again motioned for Joseph to sit alongside her. Joseph felt uncomfortable, Esna was a beautiful woman, and her body fragrance was alluring. Esna noticed his reluctance, she gave him a beautiful, warm smile and said, “Joseph, sit down.”
Joseph hesitated, he dare not disobey the Mistress, yet he knew that th
e situation was wrong. Joseph moved closer. Esna was pleased; she would have him sitting down shortly. Esna pointed to the cushion and said, “Joseph sit down, please.”
Joseph could see that Esna was getting impatient. He sat down on the cushion, as far away from Esna as he could. Esna smiled at him and said in an alluring tone of voice, “Joseph, do you like me?”
Joseph was surprised at the question. “Mistress Esna, of course, I like you. You and Master Potiphar have been very good to me.”
Esna smiled happily. “Joseph, do you find me attractive?”
The little warning voice inside Joseph started again. Joseph knew that he would have to be careful with his reply.
“Mistress Esna, you are a likeable person.”
“Joseph, I asked you if you found me attractive. Do you?”
Joseph was feeling trapped. “Mistress Esna, you are an attractive woman.”
Esna was happy. “So, then you do find me attractive?”
Joseph did not reply.
Esna looked Joseph in the eye and said, “Joseph, I find you a very attractive man.”
Joseph was speechless!
Esna took advantage of his quietness. She spoke softly, “Joseph, come closer.”
Joseph had not gotten over the shock of what she had told him. He shook his head. Esna was not deterred, she moved up close to him.
“Joseph, make love to me.”
Joseph leapt to his feet. “Mistress Esna, Master Potiphar isn’t worried about anything in his house, because he has placed me in charge of everything he owns. No one in this house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn’t given me is you, and that’s because you are his wife. I won’t sin against God by doing such a terrible sin as this.”
Joseph quickly left the room. His mind was in turmoil. He went to his own room to compose himself. He spoke aloud, “God of my fathers, what can I do?”
Joseph knew that he would have to keep out of Mistress Esna’s way as much as possible. He would try to make sure that there was always somebody else in the house with him. He hoped she would forget about the incident. He went out of his room and went back to his work. His thoughts were troubled.
Esna was stunned by Joseph’s reaction to her proposal. She became very angry. “Who does he think he is? He is only a Hebrew slave. How dare he treat me this way?”
Her anger took a while to abate; then she began to look at the situation. She still felt a deep need to be with Joseph. It was no use chastising him. The last thing she wanted was for Joseph to let Potiphar know what had happened. He might tell Potiphar just to get even. ‘Potiphar is a very jealous husband; he might get rid of both of us. I will bring Joseph around to my way of thinking. Time is on my side.’ Esna’s composure returned. ‘I’ll see Joseph tomorrow and talk to him.’
Joseph made sure that he kept away from Esna that day. He was worried that Esna would cause trouble. He knew that the Master and Mistress were having problems, but, he never expected this turn of events. Esna did not call for Joseph again that day, so Joseph felt more relaxed by evening. That night he went back over the events of the day. ‘Did it really happen? It is like a bad dream. How did I get into a situation like this?’He prayed long and fervently that night.
Next morning Joseph went about his duties as usual. Esna sent for him again. Joseph went reluctantly to see her. Esna made sure that she could have a private chat with Joseph.
“Joseph, I meant what I said yesterday. Make love to me. I want to be with you.”
“No, Mistress Esna I cannot. It would be a great sin to do such a thing.”Joseph excused himself and walked hurriedly away.
Esna was annoyed!
The days passed slowly, each day Esna confronted Joseph and asked him to make love to her. Joseph found the situation very trying. Potiphar was away most of the time and Esna seemed determined to pursue Joseph. Joseph found it hard to keep out of Esna’s way, she pursued him relentlessly. Esna was hoping to wear Joseph down, one unguarded moment and she would win.
Joseph found he needed all his faith in his God to keep a clear head. He was getting tired of the continual vigil, but, he dare not give in.
Esna was getting tired of the constant pursuit. 'Today, I will have Joseph make love to me. I'll make sure that no one is around to disturb us.’ Esna got ready. She gave all her handmaids jobs which kept them busy away from her private rooms. She allocated jobs outside the house for all the men servants. Satisfied that all was ready, she sent one of her maids to find Joseph and tell him to come to her, immediately.
The maid found Joseph and passed the message on to him. She then went back to the job that Esna had assigned her. Esna was pleased with herself, this time it would work.
Joseph walked slowly into the private suite. He could not see Esna, he called out to her. “Mistress Esna are you there?”
Esna replied from the master bedroom, “I am in here Joseph, come in.”
Joseph hesitated he did not want to go into the bedroom. He had noticed that no one was in the house. Esna realised that Joseph was not going to come into the bedroom, she came to the doorway. Esna said to him, “Joseph comes here to me.”
Joseph did not move. Esna said, “Joseph, I am ordering you to come here.”
Joseph moved slowly to the doorway.
“Joseph, that is not close enough. Come closer.”
Joseph moved cautiously closer. Esna grabbed his robe and said to him, “Make love to me!”
Joseph felt trapped, Esna’s perfume was heady, her smile was warm and inviting, he could feel her arms brushing against his side. He sensed the softness of her body; she began to pull him towards her.
“No!”
Joseph broke loose from her and turned to flee. As he went she tightened her grip on his robe and the garment came away in her hand. Joseph fled to his room. Esna was furious! She called out to the men servants.
Joseph quickly put on another robe and sat in his room. He was shocked at what had taken place.
The male servants rushed into the private suite.
“Mistress Esna, what is wrong? “
“Look! This Hebrew has come just to make fools of us. He tried to rape me, but I screamed for help. And when he heard me scream he ran away, leaving his robe with me.”
The male servants quickly searched the house and found Joseph in his room. They posted a guard on him; then told Esna that they had him under guard in his room.
Esna kept Joseph’s robe by her. ‘Potiphar will be home tonight, I will tell him as soon as he arrives home. I will fix Joseph for refusing my advances. Potiphar will deal with him.’ Esna’s infatuation now turned to spite. ‘Joseph is only a slave; he should have been pleased with my attention to him. I will show him who is in charge around here.’ Esna could hardly wait for Potiphar to arrive home.
Joseph sat in his room, wondering what would become of him. He had tried praying, but, did not get any comfort. ‘Potiphar has the right to kill me. He will listen to his wife, and I will not be able to prove otherwise. Mistress Esna has my robe! The other servants would have seen her with my robe.' His present circumstances seemed hopeless.
Potiphar wheeled his chariot into the stables. He had had a good day. Pharaoh had not bothered him all day. He hoped that Esna was in a good mood, she had been more civil lately. Gimbal rushed over to him.
“Master, Mistress Esna wants to see you immediately!”
Potiphar walked briskly into the house. “Esna, where are you?”
One of Esna’s maids told him that she was in their private suite. Potiphar hurried into the suite. Esna heard him coming and picked up Joseph’s robe.
“Esna, what is the matter? Is there a problem?”
“Potiphar, that Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! But when I screamed in a loud voice he ran off in such a hurry that he left his robe behind.”
Potiphar was shocked; that was Joseph’s robe in Esna’s hand. For a moment he stood dumbfounded; then his anger began to burn. 'After all tha
t I have done for Joseph, the slave has repaid me in this manner.’
Potiphar was furious. This type of crime was punishable by death. Potiphar could not believe this had happened. He was so angry he could kill Joseph with his bare hands.
Esna was frightened she had never seen Potiphar this angry before. 'If he finds out the truth, what will he do to me?’
Potiphar paced around the room, constantly flexing his fingers.
“Potiphar, what are you going to do?”
Potiphar stopped pacing and faced Esna. The fury in his face alarmed her.
“I could kill him with my bare hands for what he tried to do to you. If I go and face him; that is what I will do.”
Esna had meant to teach Joseph a lesson, but, Potiphar was likely to kill him. She was worried.
Potiphar came to a decision, “Esna, I will put him in prison for the night and decide what I will do to him in the morning.”
Potiphar strode out of the room. He sent one of his house boys to find Gimbal. Gimbal ran in to see Potiphar. He sent him to the barracks for a squad of soldiers. When the squad arrived Potiphar gave them instructions to take Joseph to the prison and tell Zanak to put him into the inner cells and chain his feet together.
When the soldiers arrived they were shown to Joseph’s room. They brutally tied his hands together; then shoved him out of the room; and then pushed him outside. They shoved him into the middle of the squad and marched him towards the prison.
Joseph knew that the soldiers were taking him away to lock him up. 'At least Potiphar has decided not to kill me for the moment.' In a silent prayer, he thanked God for sparing his life. He wondered what sort of story Esna had told Potiphar. ‘Obviously, she has made out that it was my fault.'
The soldiers maintained a fast walking pace. Every now and then, one of the soldiers would give Joseph a prod with his spear. The spear heads were sharp and Joseph felt the blood flow from the wounds. It was almost nightfall, the soldiers quickened their pace; they wanted to reach the prison before dark.