Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.
Genesis 37
1. And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
2 These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Joseph is the central figure in the rest of the book of Genesis. In the background we still see the life and family of Jacob but now we will see Joseph. In Genesis there is no other character where more chapters are dedicated to their life.
Joseph is the most. From what you have read and know of Joseph why do you think that so much is devoted to him?
1) Joseph lived a pure and clean life devoted to the Lord
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
This is the verse that should be the theme of all of our lives.
2) Joseph was the example of and a type of Jesus
This is what we will see in the review of the story of the life of Joseph.
But we do see in verse 2 the character and the feelings of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph being the youngest except for Benjamin would be the watcher of his older brothers. From what we have read of his brothers and the evil that they committed it would seem that they need a watcher and a tattle tale to keep them straight.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colours.
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
On top of the problem of being the spy for his father it seems that Jacob showed very obvious affections for Joseph. Who else showed favoritism for one of their sons over the other? Isaac. It would seem the Jacob had learned his lesson. Why do you think Jacob felt this way about Joseph? Maybe because Joseph was born of his favorite wife Rachel. Maybe because he was born of his old age. Maybe his was a reminder in looks of Rachel. Who knows but we do know their was favoritism.
Jacob shows this obviously by giving Joseph a "coat of [many] colours". Now this coat of colors has been translated other ways. Some say it was a "coat of sleeves". Specially designed for Joseph. It was something to have sleeves on your tunic or coat. Sewed sleeves. Not just a rope around the waste but also designer.
Let us look at the reaction of the brothers.
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
So they hated him. Their jealously turned to hate. This is why jealously is considered to be a sin because of what it leads to. Jealously leads to envy which leads to hatred which leads to sin against the person as we will see.
5. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told [it] his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
Now why do you think that Joseph does this? So far Joseph is a tattletale and one who tells his brothers something that makes them hate him. Maybe Joseph was protected so much by his father that he was gullible.
7 For, behold, we [were] binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
So not only was he a tattletale, who was the obvious apple of his father's eye but he was also a man with visions from the Lord. Not normal visions but ones that showed his brothers bowing down to him. How would you feel as a brother of Joseph?
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told [it] to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What [is] this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Here we see another dream. This time the dream was shown of all bowing to him. The sun, moon, and eleven stars. Boy how these brothers must have been angry. They must have wanted to kill Joseph. But Jacob had a different reaction. He knew Joseph. He knew he was honest and innocent. He kept and observed these sayings.
Revelation 12:1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed
with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Here we see the obeisance of the stars and moon and sun. The lady is considered to be Israel. God's chosen nation. Joseph seemed to be the one God chose to find his plan for Israel. Why?
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
Joseph sanctified and purified his life to be used of God.
12. And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed [the flock] in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here [am I].
14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, [he was] wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed [their flocks].
17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
So Joseph out of obedience to his father goes and searches for his brothers. Maybe to spy on them. Maybe to bring them something who knows. Come to find out they had moved. They were not in Shechem but were now in Dothan about 20 miles away. So Joseph finds them hoping to help or something. But let us see their reaction.
18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
See the sarcasm in their voice.
20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
So this is their plan. To kill him and cast him in the pit then tell their father that some wild animal ate him.
Before we go on let us look at the comparison between Joseph and the life of Jesus. What have you noticed so far?
1) Birth- miraculous ( Rachel barren) Mary a virgin
2) Father relationship- both loved and adored by their father "This is my beloved Son"
3) Set apart- Joseph ( coat of many colors) Jesus (separate from sinners)
4) Rulership proclaimed and rejected Joseph ( by brethren and thrown in the pit) Jesus (
by all and put on the cross)
5) Both sent by father to help brethren
6) Both hated by brethren without just cause
21 And Reuben heard [it], and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
Reuben the first born of Jacob decides to intervene. They wanted to kill Joseph but Reuben has another idea. Let us see his solution.
22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, [but] cast him into this pit that [is] in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
23. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colours that [was] on him;
24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it.
So Reuben's plan was not to kill him but to put him in a pit. Maybe so Reuben could come back and get him later. But the others had another idea.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit [is it] if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
Judah wants to make a profit. He doesn't want the blood on his hands but he wants some money out of the deal. Here is his plan.
27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh. And his brethren were content.
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
First I want us to notice the use of names here in scripture. First Moses calls them Ishmeelites, then he calls him Midianites, then again he calls them Ishmeelites, why does this happen? Who was the father of Ishmael?
Genesis 16:15-AV And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his
son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
Then Abraham's next son was Isaac. But then he had another son. What was his name?
Genesis 25:1. Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name [was] Keturah.
2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
So both of these were sons of Abraham. God only told the ones who followed him not to mix with others. It would make sense that other clans and groups would travel together and be one. This would help with the safety on the way to Egypt.
Why do you think they sold him for 20 pieces of silver? How many brothers were left? So that would mean two a piece.
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child [is] not; and I, whither shall I go?
So Reuben is upset because of what had happened. He wanted to save Joseph. Why do you think that the brothers did not listen to Reuben? He was the head of the household, I guress.
Genesis 35:22-AV And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard [it]. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
The brothers had lost all respect for Reuben because of the sin that he committed with his fathers wife.
31. And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of [many] colours, and they brought [it] to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it [be] thy son's coat or no.
33 And he knew it, and said, [It is] my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
Ok. What kind of animal did they use to deceive Jacob with? A goat. Where else in Genesis was a goat used in deception? Jacob and Rebekah deceives Isaac with savory dish of goat and goat skins.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap.
It came back to him.
34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
What do you think of this reaction to the presumed death of Joseph? Do you think a person who trusts in God should grieve like this. To where sackcloth and mourn was a show of grief. It was a show of displeasure.
2 Samuel 12:15. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17 And the elders of his house arose, [and went] to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eatbread with them. 18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing [is] this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, [while it was] alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
Two different reactions. Which should ours be?
36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.
Here we see the beginning of a new era in the beginning history of the Israelites.
