Studies In Genesis: Chapter 37 Series

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?