Jean Paul Getty, the US Oil executive, millionaire, and art collector, was once asked by a British magazine to write a short article explaining his success. Enclosed was two-hundred pounds for his time and consideration. The multimillionaire obliged with two sentences, “Some people find oil. Others don’t.”
Chaim Bialik, Jewish poet and famous author, was lying on
his deathbed in Palestine in 1934 when he received word that he would not be
receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. When asked how he felt about the news
Bialik said:
I’m very glad I didn’t win the
prize. Now everybody’s my friend and feels sorry for me. My, my how angry they
are on my behalf! “Now isn’t that a scandal?”, they say. “Imagine such a thing—Bialik,
the great poet Bialik, doesn’t get the Nobel Prize!” And—“tsk! Tsk!—just look
at who they gave it to! To X, that so-and-so! Why, he can’t even hold a candle
to Bialik!”
On the other hand, what if I had
been awarded the Nobel Prize? Then, I’m sure, some of the very same people who
are now so indignant on my account would have said, “What’s so wonderful about
getting the Nobel Prize? Why, even that poet Bialik got one!”
How do you define success? I know a man at Hebron who has
over 190 U.S. patents, is he a success? I know another man who attends Hebron
who ran two multinational corporations that are household names throughout the
world, is he a success? In my time at Hebron I’ve known a countess who fled the
Soviets in WWII and lost a baby on the way, was she a success? I’ve known a
woman who by the grace of God singlehandedly kept her husband alive for more
than a decade, is she a success? How do you define success?
In Sunday’s text—Genesis 39—we resume our examination of
Joseph and his amazing story. Here in the space of 23 verses, the writer uses
the word “success” 3 times. He attributes it to the young man Joseph, who was
experiencing the most harrowing circumstances of his life, the moniker of
success. And what is instantly obvious to even the casual observer is that, given
Joseph’s circumstances, the Lord defines success far differently than the way almost
everyone does. This Sunday we will gather for worship and examine God’s
definition.
In preparation for Sunday you may wish to consider the
following:
1. Why would Potiphar, the captain in the Egyptian guard, buy
Joseph from the Ishmaelites?
2. Who is Potiphar, and what’s his relationship to Pharaoh?
3. What’s it mean that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of “all he
had”?
4. How old is Joseph when Potiphar’s wife begins making
advances towards him?
5. What’s the principle grounds of Joseph’s refusal to sleep
with her?
6. What’s this tell us of Joseph’s perspective regarding
stewardship?
7. Do you think Potiphar believes his wife’s charge against
Joseph?
8. How long is Joseph in prison?
9. How would you define the writer’s definition of success?
10. What other servant/slave in Genesis (before Genesis 39) is
said to have had success? Hint: It’s the only other place the word is used
prior to Joseph.
See you Sunday!
