Study From the Book of Genesis,37

Study From the Book of Genesis,37

As I studied chapter 37 of the Book of Genesis, I chose one biblical principle and its lesson which is useful in Biblical Counselling.

Joseph was the first son of Jacob from his favourite wife Rachel. Since Joseph in general demonstrated his integrity, he probably was not slandering his brothers, but accurately reporting some negligence on their part. Whatever their intension, naturally would have resented him.

Jacob’s favouritism for his son Joseph may be explained as well be the special love for he had for the boy’s mother. The Hebrew phrase “tunic of many colours” may simply mean a garment with long sleeves. The robe was distinctive in colour or design and was probably costly.   Unwittingly, Jacob discriminatory actions made Josph unpopular in the family.

In his youthful enthusiasm, Joseph told his family about his first dream. Although the dream was prophetic, it alienated his brothers even more. His dream not only insulted his older brothers; it also violated custom.  The brothers understood immediately the meaning of Joseph’s dream. Of course, what they and he could have known was that this dream would be fulfilled literally.

Josphe could have been more sensitive to his family’s response to his dreams. His second dream was even more alarming. According to this dream. Even the sun and moon, presumably his father and mother (though his mother was already deceased) would bow to Joseph. The eleven stars were his bothers. Although, even his father, Jacob was insulted, Jacob responded that Joseph’s dreams were clearly from God.

Because Joseph had earlier brought back a bad report, he would not be welcome by his brothers. His distinctive tunic allowed the brothers to recognize Joseph at a distance. His brothers’ hatred and envy led them to discuss murdering Joseph. The brothers also feared that Joseph’s dreams may actually come true and by killing him, they could prevent this to happen.

Reuben, as the firstborn and principal heir, had the most to lose if Joseph’s dreams came true. Yet Reuben intervened to spare Joseph’s life. This was something of a contrast with his earlier wicked action. He attempted to save Joseph’s life by getting his brothers to drop Joseph in a pit, so later he would come to save his brother and send him back to his father.

Once Reuben convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph, he left. The brothers not only considered killing Joseph, but also started discussing how they could make the crime profitable. So, after recovering Joseph from the bit, they sold him to the Ishmaelites by twenty shekels of silver. Joseph begged his brothers not to sell him but in vain. The brothers then considered Joseph as good as dead; he would never return from Egyptian slavery.

Reuben returned to get Joseph out from the pit but he failed to find Joseph and tore his clothes to express his grief. Reuben’s grief was genuine feeling for his younger brother mixed with the fear that he, as the oldest brother, would be blamed.

The brothers used Joseph’s tunic as a symbol of his death. Jacob when he was told that Joseph was killed by beasts, he tore his clothes as a symbol of grief just as Reuben to express his extreme sorrow.

On the meantime, the Ishmaelites who bought Joseph from his brothers sold him to an Egyptian officer called Potiphar, the important figure in the Egyptian royal court.

Structure:

Verses: 1- 11: Joseph dreams of greatness.

Verses 12-36: Joseph sold by his brothers.

Principle 62: verse 38: 36:  ---“Now the Midianites (the Ishmaelites) had sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah and captain of the guard.”

Lesson 62:  Of course, it was a bleak time for Joseph to be sold as a slave to an Egyptian officer. However, that was one step in God’s wider plan for Joseph to be a great man in Egypt second to the Pharoah the king of Egypt who spared the whole ancient world from famine that occurred later. Indeed, this is God’s ways to turn what is seemed to be a very bad occasion to a glory for his faithful children.  (24/05/2026).

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