Joseph happens to be one of the most fascinating stories in scripture. We will watch as this young man develops into an incredible man of forgiveness and faith. Joseph’s story has been compared by some commentaries as a close alignment to the life of our Lord although Joseph’s life is written in the Old Testament. These are facts I’d like you to consider: a. Joseph was loved by his father and was practically hated by his brothers b. Joseph suffered the consequences of that hatred from those who were supposed to love him (his own) c. Joseph was sold for a price, accused and punished although he committed no crime d. Joseph eventually was hailed as a great man and nations came to him to receive bread (during the time of famine) e. This fact is cool….Joseph married a Gentile bride during his time of rejection from his family (God has offered salvation to the Jews first and then the Gentiles…God’s table is open to all of us!) The coat of many colors was a sign of Jacob’s love for Joseph. Now we are all aware that when you have more than one child you need to be especially careful when giving gifts or showing outward signs of affection. I’ve still not heard the end of allowing our daughter, child number two, the privilege of skipping school for “Senior Day” when number one child, our son, Nicholas, was instructed to attend his “Senior Day”. Wow, we live and learn, friends. If only I could relive that one decision! Did Jacob realize the consequences of this decision? Did he remember how his mother showed special consideration to him and that he would do the same for his son? What about Benjamin, also Rachel’s son? Did Jacob look differently at Benjamin because Rachel died when he was born? Scripture tells us that the brothers hated this boy (Joseph) so much that they “could not speak a kind word to him.” (verse 4) I think if I were the parent I’d be noticing this behavior among my children. Now for the dreams of Joseph. First, the eleven sheaves of grain bowing down to the twelfth sheaf. I don’t think it would take a rocket scientist to understand the meaning of this dream. And then you tell it to your eleven older brothers that one day they might bow down to you?? Second dream, the sun, moon and eleven stars are bowing down to him. Commentaries and research material agree that the sun and moon is Jacob and Leah since Rachel has now passed away. So now we have Jacob, Leah and the eleven brothers once again bowing down to Joseph. At this point, verse 10 mentions that Jacob addresses the issue of dreams to Joseph. Maybe Jacob didn’t like the thought of bowing down to his son, but scripture does say that Jacob “kept the matter in mind.” Reflecting back to the account of Mary, mother of Jesus, I remember the terminology of Mary pondering events surrounding the birth of Jesus in her heart. Mary would later recall these events at another time in the life of Jesus. It appears that Jacob is going to remember these dreams in years to come by keeping the matter in mind. Next we have the beginning of the adventures of Joseph as his brothers determine his fate. Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers out in the field and the brothers, upon seeing Joseph coming towards them, figure they need to seize this opportunity to get rid of the “golden-haired child” once and for all. The plotting begins…. 1. Let’s kill him and throw him into a cistern (a well) telling everyone a ferocious animal devoured him! 2. Reuben, the oldest brother, for some reason didn’t want to harm Joseph. He suggested not to spill blood, but just throw him into the cistern. Trying to make the brothers think Joseph would die of starvation, Reuden’s plan was to return later, rescue Joseph and take him back to Jacob. 3. The plot continues as the brothers seize Joseph, take off his coat and throw him into the cistern then they sit down and proceed to have lunch. Can you imagine? It’s at this point I’d like to make a few comments. First of all, Joseph seems to be totally unaware that his brothers hate him so much. He approaches to check on his brothers for his father and ends up in the bottom of a cistern. Did he begin to yell or scream? Did he question what was going on? Did he look these brothers in the face and see the hatred appearing through their countenance? Was he pleading for his life? And the brothers simply sit down and begin to eat?? Was Joseph hungry? Could he smell the food? And where was Reuben at the time? This part of the story and the following actions of the brothers reveal no Reuben in sight. So, where did he go? However, Judah speaks up during lunch and comments that they shouldn’t have the blood of this brother on their hands. After all, Joseph is their flesh and blood. Here comes a caravan of Ishmaelites, let’s sell him as a slave. Does this part make you stop in your tracks? The Ishmaelites? The Ishmaelites were also called Midianites and Medanites since these tribal groups were interrelated. They were named for Abraham sons, Midian and Medan and Ishmael! So the Midianite group approaches and Joseph is sold as a slave for twenty shekels of silver (the amount given for a boy of Joseph’s age who had been dedicated to the Lord) to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. (Note: Ishmael and his mother, Hager, who was an Egyptian, returned to this land when Abraham sent them on their way after Isaac was born.) Do you wonder if Joseph is again screaming and yelling that he is the brother of this band of men trying to sell him into slavery or is Joseph dumbfounded and unable to say anything because he is shocked beyond belief? Reuben returns from wherever he has been (of course this was all ordained of God) and is shocked to discover Joseph no longer in the cistern. Now this is part of the story that is a bit confusing. Once Reuben questions his brothers concerning Joseph, it seems Reuben isn't told the details of selling Joseph into slavery. But he does comment, "Where can I turn now?" But a story was seemingly created to cover the disappearance of Joseph. Was it unacceptable for the oldest son to return to Jacob and say to the father, “Dad, I turned my back for a moment and Joseph vanished?” Was it easier to come up with the cover story about an animal killing Joseph? Whatever the reasoning, these sons return to Jacob with a torn coat of many colors covered in the blood of a goat hoping to make their father believe their brother has been killed by a wild animal. (Note: I don’t believe Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother, was involved in any of these actions. In fact, this son was kept at home with his father on most occasions since Jacob’s beloved Rachel died giving birth to him.) Another note for you to consider: The blood of goat is no coincidence as the animal used in this account. A goat was the animal Rebekah used when covering Jacob’s arms with hair when Isaac was deceived into giving the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Are you sitting there in amazement with this story of Joseph?? So the robe is returned to Jacob covered in blood and the assumption is made that Joseph is dead. Jacob is inconsolable as he tears his clothes and wears sackcloth to mourn his son’s death. Meanwhile, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials who is a captain of the guard. Now this position of “captain of the guard” could mean two varying jobs. Potiphar could be in charge of royal prisoners or he could be the captain of whom was the chief cook in the royal court. Keep those facts “pondered” for later. Lord Jesus, I’m just amazed at the lessons I have learned today. Although I have been taught the scriptures and the stories of the Bible since I was a little girl, the connections revealed to me while studying have me running to Gary with my new found nuggets! Thank you for continuing to teach me and for enabling me to pass on what you are exposing through the continual lifting of human blinders. I love you, Lord. Amen. CommentsJan 09/13/2010 03:08
GENESIS 38: JUDAH AND TAMAR Jan 09/13/2010 03:13
CORRECTION - Meant to say the second brother ONAN not the eldest ER.... Cookie 09/19/2010 19:48
Hi Jan...getting back to it after a week away....yes, I know. Some things just don't appear right. I'll have to give this some additional thought, but what you wrote is right on....however, it has appeared that Judah did have relations with a woman he thought was a prostitute. Doesn't make it right, but Tamar was legally part of his family awaiting to be given one of his sons. In their eyes that was probably the same as being married. I would need to look it up to see if Judah's wife/wives were still living at this time. But I do believe the punishment for having sex outside of a commitment for marriage or in a marriage was stoning...remember Joseph wanted to put Mary away privately? He wanted to save her life once she was found with child and was committed to him to become his wife. Leave a Reply | AuthorCome along and join the Bucket List Bible Study! Open to all who enjoy studying God's Word. ArchivesFebruary 2012 Categories |
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