JEALOUSY (GEN 39)
We live in a society that is filled with jealousy.
We see what others have and may be left with a desire to possess the same thing.
Examples of this abound.
Exercise equipment is successfully sold because of jealousy.
Americans see someone who is lean, trim, and fit.
Perhaps we are not nearly as fit and trim as the person on the television screen.
However, we want to be that trim and toned so a piece of equipment is bought.
Jealousy exists in the workplace.
We may watch another person do a job that is different from ours and wish we had their position.
We may wish that we had someone else’s job because it is a higher or better paying position.
When we see what others have or what they can do we can want the same thing.
There are thousand different ways Satan can tempt us with jealousy.
THE
NEXT TIME WE ARE TEMPTED TO BE JEALOUS OF SOMEONE (AND THAT TIME WILL COME),
PERHAPS WE CAN REMIND OURSELVES OF GEN. 39.
a) This chapter contains a well-known story.
b) The main characters in this account are Joseph and Potiphar's wife.
c) Normally this chapter is used to teach that we should flee from sin.
d) All forms of immorality, especially fornication, must be avoided.
e) Tonight I want to apply this story in a different way.
f) We need to begin with a description of Joseph.
i) We will start with Gen. 39:4.
ii) Joseph had a good job. He was made “overseer” of Potiphar’s house.
iii) Joseph was so helpful to his master that he was given full control of things – verse 6.
iv) Joseph was responsible for an entire household.
v) He was also a man who was physically attractive to the opposite sex.
vi) Most people in life are average in their appearance.
vii) Only a few people have physical features that can be called exquisite.
viii) Joseph was a man who was handsome.
ix) He was a man whose looks would turn heads.
2)
It is not too much of a stretch to believe that those
who lived in
3) This man was in charge of an entire household. He was like a businessman.
4) He was treated far differently than other salves.
5) Furthermore, he had physical features that made him physically attractive to others.
6) To others Joseph must have appeared as someone who was actually well off and fortunate.
7) When people are jealous of someone, or wish that they had what someone else has, they often fail to consider all the facts.
a) Joseph did operate Potiphar’s household but how did he get his job?
b) In the preceding chapters we are told that his brothers wanted to kill him.
c) He was cast into a pit for a time and then sold to some Ishmaelites.
d) These Ishmaelites sold Joseph to Potiphar.
e) While Joseph did have a good job, his job came with a high price.
8) Joseph’s job took him away from his father and siblings.
9) He lost his freedom. He was forcibly taken from his home.
10) While still in his teenage years (Gen. 37:2) he was sold into slavery.
11) He was removed from the country he called home.
a) When people are jealous of someone they almost never consider the cost that others have paid.
b) If we have ever wished that we had something possessed by another, did we consider the cost?
c) Perhaps we have looked at someone where we work—plant manger, superintendent, or president.
d) Maybe we have thought, “I wish I had his job. Her job would be great.”
e) While these thoughts may pass through the mind we do not count the cost.
f) Some of these jobs were attained because people were willing to ruin a marriage.
g) Some positions are obtained at the expense of spending time with one’s children or one’s health.
h) Other things in life are obtained at great personal sacrifice and loss.
i) Some are successful only after filing bankruptcy once, twice, or several times.
j) Jealousy seldom thinks about what someone has given up to be where he or she is.
12) JEALOUSY
ALSO FAILS IN ANOTHER AREA.
a) We can see where people are or what they have and not consider the negatives.
b) Let’s go back to Gen. 37:6. Joseph was a “comely” man.
c) I can find only three people in scripture who are described as physically attractive.
d) King David is one of these men his son Absalom is another; and there is Joseph.
e) Saul might be a fourth person who fell into this category (1 Sam. 9:1-2).
f) We live in a society where we hear people say, “I would like to look like him.”
g) “If I could only be as beautiful as her.” That’s jealousy.
h) If we truly considered having what others have we might lose our interest in a hurry.
i) Joseph was a handsome man; let’s see what happened to him.
j) Gen. 39:7.
k) Joseph was propositioned. The text does not say why Potiphar’s wife was interested in him.
l) However, it is hard to avoid noticing that two pieces of information are next to each other.
m) Gen. 39:6 says Joseph was a handsome man.
i) The next verse says Potiphar’s wife was interested in him.
ii) Joseph was in a difficult position.
iii) His job was in this household. He couldn’t quit and escape from this woman.
iv) He also had a certain moral standard that he followed so giving in was not an option.
v) In verses 8-9 we read about this man’s refusal.
vi) He said her request would be a sin against God and her husband.
vii) Potiphar’s wife was persistent – verse 10.
viii) One day Joseph had to actually run from this woman, 12b.
ix) Potiphar returned home and his wife told a lie – verses 17-18.
x) Potiphar’s response is stated in an unusual way.
xi) At the end of verse 19 it is said that his wrath was kindled.
xii) The text does not say, kindled against Joseph.
xiii) This man may have had an excellent understanding of what took place.
xiv) In any case Joseph was taken to prison.
xv) According to Gen. 41:1 Joseph spent at least two years in confinement.
13) Here is another illustration that shows the foolishness of jealousy.
a) Many want what others have.
b) However, what others have often comes with a very high price.
c) In Joseph’s case his good looks caused him to lose his job.
d) He had to face a false accusation because he was handsome.
e) A nice physique caused him to go to prison for two years.
14) This lesson reminds me of a conversation I had with a tow truck driver.
a) Some time ago our truck wouldn’t start and it was taken to a shop.
b) While riding with the tow truck driver we talked about different things.
c) This man related that he had worked for others in the past.
d) He had been employee.
e) However, he had recently bought out a towing business and he was now the owner.
f) While he was an employee he was affected by jealousy.
g) He watched the boss and thought, “I would sure like to be him. He has it made”
h) This man got his wish.
i) He became the owner of a tow truck business.
j) He related that as the boss he had encountered some surprises.
k) When he was an employee he got paid every week.
l) When he took over the business that changed.
m) As the boss he had to take responsibility for keeping the truck maintained.
n) He had to pay the huge repair bills when there was a mechanical breakdown.
o) He had to take responsibility for doing the job when employees quit or became sick.
p) This fellow learned something about jealousy.
q) We may wish for what the other guy has, but we don’t want to pay the same price for it.
r) What the other guy has is often not too attractive, though it appears to be.
15) Gen. 39 is an excellent story to demonstrate the point made by Paul in Phil 4:11.
a) The apostle said, “I have learned.”
b) We do not know how Paul learned to be content, but this lesson was somehow learned.
c) It is safe to say that many still need to learn the lesson that Paul learned.
d) The sin of jealousy will keep us from being content.
e) The Hebrew writer added in Heb. 13:5.
f) We are to be content with what we have.
g) If we are content with what we have we will not be jealous of others.
h) When we reach this point in our Christian life 1 Tim. 6:6 says.
16) Godliness (right living) with contentment (a lack of jealousy) is great gain.
17) This is right.
18) When this point is reached in our Christian life we do not want what others have.
19) Perhaps one of the easiest ways to conquer jealousy is to look at people like Joseph.
20) He had a lot, but how attractive is it when we look at the cost?
a) Is possessing physical beauty so important that we are willing to go to prison for it?
b) Would we want such beauty if it might cause others to stalk us?
c) What about money? Some wish they had wealth equivalent to some rich person.
d) If we knew the rest of the story that wealth might not be so attractive.
e) Would we like to be hounded by people who say, “You’re rich. I’m poor. Won’t you help me?”
f) This happens to many who are wealthy.
g) Many who have a large sum of wealth require attorneys, CPA’s, and have special insurance needs.
h) There is concern about whether investments will pay as much this year as last year.
i) Concern exists over the stock market and economic indicators.
j) If we don’t have those hassles, are we really jealous?
21) Jealousy has been an effective tool for Satan for a long time.
22) Satan can cause us to look at others and think, “I would like to have that.”
23) As Christians we need to know what this tool is and avoid it.
24) If you have come here tonight thinking, “I wish I could be him or her.”
25) “I wish that I could have this or that”; go home thinking about Joseph.
26) Learn to be content with what we have, Heb. 13:5.
27) Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
28) If we can help anyone here deal with the sin of jealousy we are prepared to do that.
29) If you are not a Christian and now realize the benefits of Christianity, and now you are ready to become a Christian, we are ready to assist you in that way.