Genesis 37: Joseph and the Seeds of Destiny
And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
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.
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.
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.
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
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.
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.
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.
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?
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
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.
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.
And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
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.
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
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.
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
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.
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;
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
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.
And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
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.
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.
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
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.
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.
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
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.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
Genesis 37 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative, transitioning from the story of Jacob to that of his son, Joseph. This chapter, rich with family drama and divine foreshadowing, reveals the complex dynamics within Jacob's household and sets the stage for Joseph's extraordinary journey. As we delve into this passage, remember Genesis 37 is not just a story of sibling rivalry and betrayal, but a testament to God's sovereign plan unfolding even amidst human failings.
A Father's Favoritism and a Brother's Hate Genesis 37:1-4
The chapter opens with Jacob, also known as Israel, dwelling in the land of Canaan, where his father had sojourned (Genesis 37:1). The narrative quickly introduces a critical element: Jacob's blatant favoritism towards Joseph. Described as the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved Rachel, Joseph held a special place in Jacob's heart. This affection manifested tangibly when Jacob presented Joseph with a "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3). This wasn't just a nice gift; it was a symbol of privilege, possibly even indicating Jacob's intention to elevate Joseph as his primary heir, bypassing his older sons.
This favoritism ignited a fierce hatred in Joseph's brothers. Being the eleventh of twelve sons, the older brothers felt overlooked and resentful. The robe, a visible sign of Joseph's favored status, intensified their animosity to the point where they "hated him and could not speak peaceably to him" (Genesis 37:4). The seeds of discord were sown, and the family dysfunction that had plagued previous generations continued to fester.
Dreams of Dominion and Escalating Enmity Genesis 37:5-11
Adding fuel to the fire, Joseph innocently shared two prophetic dreams with his brothers. In the first dream, Joseph's sheaf of grain stood upright while his brothers' sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to his (Genesis 37:7). In the second, the sun, moon, and eleven stars—representing his father, mother, and brothers—bowed down to him (Genesis 37:9).
These dreams, though divinely inspired, were ill-received. To his immature seventeen-year-old mind, they were worth bragging about. But, to his brothers, they were an unbearable insult. They interpreted the dreams as Joseph asserting his superiority and predicting their subservience. Their hatred intensified, and they rebuked him for his arrogance. Even Jacob, though initially questioning the dreams' implications, "kept the saying in mind" (Genesis 37:11), hinting at a subconscious awareness of their potential significance.
The interesting fact about Joseph’s dreams, which we aren’t told at this point in the story, is that they were prophetic. Jacob asked, "Am I . . . and your brothers really going to come and bow down to the ground before you" (Genesis 37:10)? Actually, yes, Jacob, you will. God had given Joseph these dreams, and he wanted to lead Joseph to a grand destiny. But Joseph would have a lot of unexpected detours in his life before he got to that point. Without the detours, however, Joseph would never have been prepared to walk in his God-given destiny.
A Mission of Concern and a Plot of Murder Genesis 37:12-20
The stage is set for a tragic confrontation. Jacob, concerned for his sons who were pasturing the flocks near Shechem, sends Joseph to check on their well-being (Genesis 37:12-14). Unbeknownst to Jacob, this act of parental care placed Joseph directly into the path of his enraged brothers.
When the brothers saw Joseph approaching from a distance, their simmering hatred boiled over. They conspired to kill him, reasoning that by eliminating Joseph, they could thwart the fulfillment of his dreams. "Come now, therefore, let us kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!" (Genesis 37:20). Their plan was cold and calculated, revealing the depth of their resentment.
Reuben's Intervention and a Change of Plans Genesis 37:21-28
Fortunately for Joseph, Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened. Perhaps motivated by a sense of responsibility or a desire to regain his lost standing (Genesis 35:22), Reuben persuaded the others to refrain from bloodshed. He proposed throwing Joseph into an empty pit in the wilderness, secretly intending to rescue him later and return him to Jacob (Genesis 37:21-22).
The brothers agreed to Reuben's plan, stripping Joseph of his distinctive robe and casting him into the pit (Genesis 37:23-24). While Reuben was away, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders appeared on their way to Egypt. Judah, ever the pragmatist, suggested selling Joseph as a slave rather than leaving him to die. "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh" (Genesis 37:26-27). The brothers, driven by greed and a desire to be rid of Joseph, accepted Judah's proposal and sold him for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). Joseph’s fortunes had changed in a moment. He was living large, like royalty, until his brothers sold him for twenty pieces of silver to traveling Ishmaelites (37:27-28). Just like that, he became a slave. Little did he know that God was orchestrating something much bigger than he could imagine.
Deception and Despair Genesis 37:29-36
Reuben, upon returning to the pit and finding Joseph gone, was distraught. He tore his clothes in despair, lamenting, "The boy is gone; and I, where shall I go?" (Genesis 37:30). He had managed to save Joseph’s life, but couldn’t protect him completely.
The remaining brothers, realizing the need to conceal their actions, concocted a deceitful plan. They slaughtered a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood (Genesis 37:31). Presenting the bloodied garment to Jacob, they asked him to identify it. Jacob, recognizing the robe, was overcome with grief, concluding that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. This is a certain level of irony here, since Jacob had used goat skins to deceive his brother years before; now Jacob is deceived by animal evidence. Jacob’s deceptive character had been transferred to his sons.
Jacob mourned deeply for his son, refusing all comfort. "I shall go down to the grave mourning for my son" (Genesis 37:35). His grief was inconsolable, highlighting the profound love he had for Joseph and the devastating impact of his sons' betrayal. Jacob’s depression affected the entire family.
Meanwhile, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, in Egypt (Genesis 37:36). God, we will soon discover, intended to bring Jacob and his sons to Egypt in order to protect them from a coming famine, and Joseph’s recent departure placed him in Egypt, in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh in preparation for that time. God was setting the stage to bring about Joseph’s destiny, even when no human was aware of it.
Reflections
Genesis 37 is a powerful narrative that explores themes of family dynamics, jealousy, betrayal, and divine providence. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive consequences of favoritism and unchecked emotions. Yet, even in the midst of human wickedness, God's sovereign plan is at work. Joseph's journey, though marked by hardship and injustice, is ultimately guided by God's hand, leading him to a position of influence and ultimately, to the salvation of his family.
This chapter teaches us that:
- Favoritism breeds resentment: Jacob's preferential treatment of Joseph created a toxic environment within his family.
- Jealousy can lead to destructive actions: The brothers' envy of Joseph drove them to commit a heinous act.
- God can use even evil for good: Despite the brothers' malicious intentions, God used their actions to set in motion events that would ultimately save their family from famine.
- Detours can lead to destiny: Joseph's unexpected journey to Egypt, though initially a tragedy, was a necessary step in fulfilling his God-given destiny.
As we navigate our own lives, let us remember that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Like Joseph, we may face unexpected detours and hardships, but God can use these experiences to prepare us for our true calling.
And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
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.
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.
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.
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
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.
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.
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.
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?
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
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.
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.
And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
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.
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
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.
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
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.
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;
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
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.
And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
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.
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.
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
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.
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.
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
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.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
Genesis 37 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative, transitioning from the story of Jacob to that of his son, Joseph. This chapter, rich with family drama and divine foreshadowing, reveals the complex dynamics within Jacob's household and sets the stage for Joseph's extraordinary journey. As we delve into this passage, remember Genesis 37 is not just a story of sibling rivalry and betrayal, but a testament to God's sovereign plan unfolding even amidst human failings.
A Father's Favoritism and a Brother's Hate Genesis 37:1-4
The chapter opens with Jacob, also known as Israel, dwelling in the land of Canaan, where his father had sojourned (Genesis 37:1). The narrative quickly introduces a critical element: Jacob's blatant favoritism towards Joseph. Described as the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved Rachel, Joseph held a special place in Jacob's heart. This affection manifested tangibly when Jacob presented Joseph with a "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3). This wasn't just a nice gift; it was a symbol of privilege, possibly even indicating Jacob's intention to elevate Joseph as his primary heir, bypassing his older sons.
This favoritism ignited a fierce hatred in Joseph's brothers. Being the eleventh of twelve sons, the older brothers felt overlooked and resentful. The robe, a visible sign of Joseph's favored status, intensified their animosity to the point where they "hated him and could not speak peaceably to him" (Genesis 37:4). The seeds of discord were sown, and the family dysfunction that had plagued previous generations continued to fester.
Dreams of Dominion and Escalating Enmity Genesis 37:5-11
Adding fuel to the fire, Joseph innocently shared two prophetic dreams with his brothers. In the first dream, Joseph's sheaf of grain stood upright while his brothers' sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to his (Genesis 37:7). In the second, the sun, moon, and eleven stars—representing his father, mother, and brothers—bowed down to him (Genesis 37:9).
These dreams, though divinely inspired, were ill-received. To his immature seventeen-year-old mind, they were worth bragging about. But, to his brothers, they were an unbearable insult. They interpreted the dreams as Joseph asserting his superiority and predicting their subservience. Their hatred intensified, and they rebuked him for his arrogance. Even Jacob, though initially questioning the dreams' implications, "kept the saying in mind" (Genesis 37:11), hinting at a subconscious awareness of their potential significance.
The interesting fact about Joseph’s dreams, which we aren’t told at this point in the story, is that they were prophetic. Jacob asked, "Am I . . . and your brothers really going to come and bow down to the ground before you" (Genesis 37:10)? Actually, yes, Jacob, you will. God had given Joseph these dreams, and he wanted to lead Joseph to a grand destiny. But Joseph would have a lot of unexpected detours in his life before he got to that point. Without the detours, however, Joseph would never have been prepared to walk in his God-given destiny.
A Mission of Concern and a Plot of Murder Genesis 37:12-20
The stage is set for a tragic confrontation. Jacob, concerned for his sons who were pasturing the flocks near Shechem, sends Joseph to check on their well-being (Genesis 37:12-14). Unbeknownst to Jacob, this act of parental care placed Joseph directly into the path of his enraged brothers.
When the brothers saw Joseph approaching from a distance, their simmering hatred boiled over. They conspired to kill him, reasoning that by eliminating Joseph, they could thwart the fulfillment of his dreams. "Come now, therefore, let us kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!" (Genesis 37:20). Their plan was cold and calculated, revealing the depth of their resentment.
Reuben's Intervention and a Change of Plans Genesis 37:21-28
Fortunately for Joseph, Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened. Perhaps motivated by a sense of responsibility or a desire to regain his lost standing (Genesis 35:22), Reuben persuaded the others to refrain from bloodshed. He proposed throwing Joseph into an empty pit in the wilderness, secretly intending to rescue him later and return him to Jacob (Genesis 37:21-22).
The brothers agreed to Reuben's plan, stripping Joseph of his distinctive robe and casting him into the pit (Genesis 37:23-24). While Reuben was away, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders appeared on their way to Egypt. Judah, ever the pragmatist, suggested selling Joseph as a slave rather than leaving him to die. "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh" (Genesis 37:26-27). The brothers, driven by greed and a desire to be rid of Joseph, accepted Judah's proposal and sold him for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). Joseph’s fortunes had changed in a moment. He was living large, like royalty, until his brothers sold him for twenty pieces of silver to traveling Ishmaelites (37:27-28). Just like that, he became a slave. Little did he know that God was orchestrating something much bigger than he could imagine.
Deception and Despair Genesis 37:29-36
Reuben, upon returning to the pit and finding Joseph gone, was distraught. He tore his clothes in despair, lamenting, "The boy is gone; and I, where shall I go?" (Genesis 37:30). He had managed to save Joseph’s life, but couldn’t protect him completely.
The remaining brothers, realizing the need to conceal their actions, concocted a deceitful plan. They slaughtered a goat and dipped Joseph's robe in its blood (Genesis 37:31). Presenting the bloodied garment to Jacob, they asked him to identify it. Jacob, recognizing the robe, was overcome with grief, concluding that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. This is a certain level of irony here, since Jacob had used goat skins to deceive his brother years before; now Jacob is deceived by animal evidence. Jacob’s deceptive character had been transferred to his sons.
Jacob mourned deeply for his son, refusing all comfort. "I shall go down to the grave mourning for my son" (Genesis 37:35). His grief was inconsolable, highlighting the profound love he had for Joseph and the devastating impact of his sons' betrayal. Jacob’s depression affected the entire family.
Meanwhile, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, in Egypt (Genesis 37:36). God, we will soon discover, intended to bring Jacob and his sons to Egypt in order to protect them from a coming famine, and Joseph’s recent departure placed him in Egypt, in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh in preparation for that time. God was setting the stage to bring about Joseph’s destiny, even when no human was aware of it.
Reflections
Genesis 37 is a powerful narrative that explores themes of family dynamics, jealousy, betrayal, and divine providence. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive consequences of favoritism and unchecked emotions. Yet, even in the midst of human wickedness, God's sovereign plan is at work. Joseph's journey, though marked by hardship and injustice, is ultimately guided by God's hand, leading him to a position of influence and ultimately, to the salvation of his family.
This chapter teaches us that:
- Favoritism breeds resentment: Jacob's preferential treatment of Joseph created a toxic environment within his family.
- Jealousy can lead to destructive actions: The brothers' envy of Joseph drove them to commit a heinous act.
- God can use even evil for good: Despite the brothers' malicious intentions, God used their actions to set in motion events that would ultimately save their family from famine.
- Detours can lead to destiny: Joseph's unexpected journey to Egypt, though initially a tragedy, was a necessary step in fulfilling his God-given destiny.
As we navigate our own lives, let us remember that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Like Joseph, we may face unexpected detours and hardships, but God can use these experiences to prepare us for our true calling.