QUEST TO UNDERSTAND ELEMENTARY SCRIPTURAL TRUTH

Joseph: How to Pick a Fight

Genesis 37 · Pastor Craig R. Jarvis

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1The Story of Jacob Continues…

The author may not have meant for these next few chapters to be solely about the Joseph narrative
Notice the writing: “The family history of ” 37:2
- This story brings the Genesis book to a close
- Why else would an entire chapter is devoted to before the next three concerning Joseph?
- By the end of the book, there will be a reuniting of the clan
Purpose of the Genesis focus on Joseph:
- Perhaps simply to show the incredible sovereignty of God – Joseph was an instrument used by God to preserve His people
- Perhaps to help the reader identify with Joseph – as we die to self and live within God’s (sometimes not understandable) plan, God is able to make our lives into something great
- These chapters in Genesis complete the story of the origins of the 12 Tribes of the Jewish nation
- 10.5 Against 1
- The reader is already aware of the sibling rivalry from previous chapters
- Joseph was born from the
- Joseph was from his brothers in that they were all (but one) descended from slave women and the woman Jacob got “stuck” with by Laban.
- The text intentionally reveals that there was animosity between the brothers & Joseph
Joseph is distinguished from the other brothers by being identified as “ more than the other sons…” 37:2
- This has been a long-standing tradition in the family of Jacob
- Favoritism has become the norm
Joseph told “ ” about his brothers to his father 37:1
- This term is used elsewhere as identifying an
This term is qualified by the word “ ” elsewhere Num.13:32
- Some commentators believe that this is an indication that Joseph was misrepresenting his brothers to his father
- His father believed him
- His brothers hated him for his lies (WBC – Wenham, p.350)
Jacob reinforced his special feelings for this son over the others by giving him a special tunic 37:3-4
- This term is used elsewhere only once (2 Sam.13:18-19) to indicate the robe of a princess
Some suggestions:
- “Multi- ” coat (most popular understanding) – This is a concept that comes from the Vulgate translation of the LXX (Septuagint)
- “Long- ” garment – Aramaic term used meaning “hand or foot” – perhaps this garment was just a long garment reaching to the ankles or wrists (with sleeves)
- “ ornamented” robe – Like a ceremonial robe (Akkadian term) – Speiser
- “Fine ” – Like a chiffon made of fine material
Whatever the tunic was made from, it was meant for one purpose:
- These ten sons hated Jacob so much that they could not even “speak civilly to him”
- The reader is made to understand the intense depravity of the human heart...
- Sibling rivalry has turned into deadly intent as jealousy is left to spawn.
- The Dreamer Dreams (then tells the wrong people…)
The dreams are intentionally picturesque 37:5-11
- The dreams are future oriented
- The dreams explained
- Question: Although the dreams were a bit ambiguous, do you think that the brothers got the picture?
These dreams only served to make the brothers hate Joseph even more 37:11
- NOTE: “very ” – used elsewhere to describe the violent reaction when a husband finds out about his wife’s adultery
- This term is ominous indicating that his brothers would let this feeling draw them into & revenge
- This sections ends intentionally leaving the reader with the idea that a rage is building up behind the scenes that will eventually need a vengeful outlet.
- Don’t forget; these are the guys that slaughtered an entire clan because they wronged their sister.

2The Plot Thickens

The boys return to Shechem without Joseph 37:12-14
- Why wasn’t Joseph with his brothers?
- Joseph is sent out to make sure that his brothers were doing alright (It seems obvious that Jacob thought that there was some danger in the area that they were shepherding)
The text even includes a short story to illustrate how far Joseph was really wandering from home (and protection) 37:15-17
- The reader waits in fearful anticipation as Joseph wanders further and further north (nearly 50 miles); so far away from his father’s protection

3The Brother’s Plan to Rid Themselves of this “Dreamer”

The story changes to give the reader a look at the heart of the brothers 37:18-20
- The brothers plot as Joseph was still in the
- This is an indication that they could recognize Joseph far away – perhaps he was wearing the coat?
- This is an indication that the brothers did not take long to make up their minds as to what they would do to Joseph
- The plot of the brothers seems terribly
- The brothers could have contrived this plot more so that they could have proven these stupid dreams were just not true
- They had planned to “kill” Joseph – used the same way that Esau spoke of Jacob just a few chapters earlier in seeking revenge
- They even had a cover story ready and waiting in lightning readiness
Only one brother speaks for Joseph – 37:21-22
- Why?

4Joseph is Attacked & Sold into Slavery

The brothers attacked and stripped off the tunic 37:23-25
- The narrative speaks of the of the crime (“stripped…took…dumped… sat down…”)
- The narrative only slows down at the mention of the tunic
- This coat was the subject of the father’s
- This coat was the object of the brother’s
- Joseph is thrown into a pit
- Probably a cistern for holding water
- Could have been very muddy
- Notice: The narrative stays focused on the brothers and never mentions Joseph’s reaction
- Then the brothers sit down to enjoy the food Joseph had carried for them over 50 miles

5Note the discussion between “Midianites” and “Ishmaelites”

“Ishmaelites” in 37:27, 28; 38:1
“Midianites” in 37:28, 36
“Midianites” sold Joseph to Potiphar 37:36
Potiphar bought Joseph from “Ishmaelites” 39:1
- Valid suggestion: Perhaps Ishmaelites were “nomadic traders,” while “Midianites” is more specific ethnic designation for the tribe they belonged to – WBC, Wenham, p.355
Reuben has an alternative (semi-righteous?) purpose for his suggestion, but Judah saw a 37:26-27
- 20 shekels – typical price for male slave between 5-20 years old
- Shepherds typically earned only about shekels a year! These boys were about to make a tidy profit.
Reuben finds out about the plan and is heartbroken 37:29-30

6The Great Cover-Up

The irony of the cover-up runs thick 37:31-33
- The brothers use a and their brother’s to deceive their father – does this remind you of anyone
- They may not have even delivered the coat themselves! (“sent and brought…”)
- The callous brothers did not want to have to deal with the broken of their father
- Even if they did deliver it themselves, there is an intentional imperviousness to their father’s broken heart
- The sons to their father about his other son (sound familiar?)
- The Sins of the Father are being visited upon Jacob.

7The Final Scene

Jacob is broken 37:34-35
- He refuses to stop mourning – he would grieve for Joseph until he
- Jacob would “go down to Sheol in mourning”
- Sheol = “place of departed ”
- This was an place to be – still in conscious existence
- Perhaps Jacob was under the impression that he was being judged and would go down with the wicked in
Meanwhile…back in Egypt 37:36
- Joseph is beginning a new life in Potiphar’s house
- Joseph is beginning to display a character which has obviously been tried by fire – his behaviour causes him to rise to the position of
- Perhaps captain of the prison guards?
- Perhaps translation of a head steward in charge of household catering?
- Joseph is the spoiled son who, when faced with adversity, develops into a mature and competent leader.
- Joseph’s character has been refined in the fire of unfairness, cruelty, jealousy, and revenge.
- But Joseph is not yet done with the refining fire…