NBBC SS: Genesis 37

Introduction: While the passage before us today introduces one of my favorite characters in all of Scripture, this passage is full of brokenness. Growing up, I really used to look forward to hearing the account of Joseph. Now that I’m older and see all of the evidences of brokenness across the passage, I cannot help but be incredibly sad. As we approach this passage, we have several questions before us today. First, what are the evidences of such brokenness? Second, how do we address brokenness in a Biblically faithful way?

Genesis 37:1 “1 Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.”

The word “sojourned” carries with it some great significance in the life of Jacob.

This phrase is part of the blessing that Isaac gives to Jacob prior to Jacob’s departure from his home to Laban.

Interestingly, Isaac uses this phrase in conjunction with invoking God to do what He, God, has promised in giving the land of their sojournings to Jacob and his descendants.

Why is this significant? - glad that you asked.

We’re seeing Isaac’s prayer to the Lord for Jacob being answered with Jacob returning to the land.

In other words, God is keeping His Word that actually began before Isaac and with his father Abraham in Genesis 17.

Hence, the faithfulness of God is on display before us in these few words.

Additionally, Genesis 36 supplies for us some very interesting context as we approach this chapter.

In Genesis 36, Esau’s large retinue is under review.

In fact, when we compare Esau’s group with Jacob’s, the latter looks rather unimpressive.

Therefore, the question before us, with Jacob’s miniscule retinue in light of Esau’s hordes, how will Jacob respond?

Will he attempt to subvert his brother once more?

Instead of subverting, Jacob sets his tent pegs down in the land where his family settled, the land of promise that the Lord promised to them.

While Jacob does not have all that the Lord promised, and though the temptation is there concerning Esau’s group, Jacob as an indication of his trust in the Lord settles where the Lord promised to Abraham to make him a great nation.

Jacob did not have everything laid out before him how it was all going to work out.

However, he did have the promise of the Lord.

Jacob acted on this promise by doing the most faithful thing that he could and settle in the land of promise.

What we see in this act of Jacob is his confidence in the promises of the Lord, even when circumstances may not seem favorable to such.

Just like Jacob, we can undertake acts of faithfulness each day in demonstrating our hope in the Lord at work, home, in our communities, etc.

However, this faithful act is immediately overshadowed by Jacob’s son that will occupy the focus of the remaining narrative of Genesis.

Genesis 37:2–4 “2 These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.”

We don’t know anything about the specifics of the report that Joseph brought back to his father.

Fascinatingly, the term translated “report” is used in 9 other places across the OT.

In Numbers 13 and Numbers 14, it is used to refer to the report that the 10 unfaithful spies gave to the people that discouraged the people (cf. Nu 13:32; 14:36-37)

It’s used in Psalm 31:13 and Proverbs 10:13 to refer to slander, maligning someone’s character in order to make yourself look better, whether or not the information is true.

It’s used in Proverbs 25:9-10 to refer to the tarnishing of one’s reputation upon being involved in spreading secrets about another.

In Jeremiah 20:10 and Ezekiel 36:3 to refer to groups of people talking negatively within a scene of perceived privacy about individuals or nations.

In other words, the term is used when motivated by something malicious towards another for one’s own personal benefit.

What we’re seeing here with Joseph is tattling at best.

The question though is, why would Joseph tattle? - Look at v. 3

While the words “Now” does not necessarily mean that Jacob immediately gave Joseph this gift after tattling, there is certainly a close proximity of events that suggests why Joseph would tattle on his brothers, because he knew it would get him something with his father.

We know what it is that Jacob is doing here: favoring Joseph.

Has Jacob experienced anything like this before?

He sure has, with his own mother and father.

Did that end up going well for Jacob and his brother?

It surely did not.

Esau hated Jacob and plotted to kill him.

Does this sound familiar? - we need to keep reading.

The brothers respond to their father’s demonstration of increased affection towards Joseph in attitude and action.

They hated Joseph and could not say anything kind to him.

So, as we consider this broken family, what are the evidences of such brokenness?

A tattling brother

A favoring father

Hating brothers.

Unfortunately, the brokenness demonstrated here has even deeper roots.

We saw this with Jacob and Esau with their parents Isaac and Rebekah.

We’ve also seen it with the scheming between Rachel and Leah in who could outdo the other in bearing children, even involving their handmaids (did you catch that reference in v. 2?)

I can’t help but be compelled to remind us what sponges children are in that not only will they watch us but also imitate us even beyond what we could have imagined!

Our response to this scene should be, “Lord, save us from this!”

While it’s hard and we may not fully understand all that the Lord is doing, we need to follow the initial example of Jacob here and turning to God’s truths rather than our own selfishness.

As if things were not bad enough, Joseph is about to make them worse.

Genesis 37:5–11 “5 Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; 7 for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

What I find so fascinating about the dreams is that no one needed an interpreter!

The brothers and Jacob knew exactly what the dreams meant!

In sum, the entirety of Joseph’s family was going to submit to the authority of Joseph.

What really troubles me about these verses are the responses of both Joseph’s father and his brothers.

Initially, we’re told that Joseph’s brothers “hated him even more” (twice, Gn 37:5, 8).

Essentially, Joseph’s relating of this dream did not help his rapport with his brothers.

Notice how Genesis 37:8 includes that Joseph’s brothers hated him for not just his dreams but also his words.

Another way that we could understand “his words” would be Joseph’s message.

What is in view is that Joseph’s delivery of this message did not help him at all.

In other words, Joseph only contributed to that which would fire up his brothers to hate him all the more through the likely proud way in which he delivered this message.

Was it true?

It sure was.

The problem was not in the truthfulness but in the delivery.

In case we had any doubt about how Joseph delivered this message, we hear of Jacob’s response next.

Further, we’re told that Jacob rebuked Joseph.

We know what it means to rebuke someone - it’s to tell them that they were wrong and that they need to stop.

Used 14 times in 13 verses across the OT (Ruth 2:16; Ps 9:5; 68:30; 106:9; 119:21; Isa 17:12; 54:9; Jeremiah 29:27; Nahum 1:4; Zech 3:2; Mal 2:3; 3:11).

Out of each of these instances, all but 2 are for things that deserve rebuking.

In other words, the overwhelming sense that we get from this word is that it’s used for good reason - the thing being rebuked deserves it!

We need to remember that Jacob kept Joseph’s dream in mind, meaning that he is taking seriously the content of what his son shared.

Recall, dreams factored significantly for Jacob (cf. Gen ).

Dreams factored significantly for Jacob’s family (Abraham cf. Gen, and Isaac cf. Gen).

Thus, Jacob would not be rebuking Joseph for the content of his dream.

Instead, Jacob must be rebuking Joseph for the intent and/or manner in which Joseph is sharing the dream.

Genesis 37:12–17 “12 Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock in Shechem. 13 Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.” 14 Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?” 16 He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.”

What we have here is an unknown man who happens to know the information that Joseph needs and voluntarily gives it to him.

This can’t be mere coincidence.

This is none other than the Lord directing Joseph’s life.

However, it’s in a direction that Joseph did not initially expect.

Brothers and Sisters, we may not understand what the Lord may be leading us into.

We can rest assured that He is the One leading us

We should want to have it this way because He is good and knows what is best.

Notice how the brothers react to just the mere sight of Joseph from a distance.

Genesis 37:18–22 “18 When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer! 20 “Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!” 21 But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.” 22 Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father.”

The most tragic aspect of these verses is that these brothers so hated Joseph out of jealousy for him that they were willing to kill him and lie about it to cover it up.

Unfortunately, brothers and sisters, lying was endemic to this family.

Abraham with Sarah (twice)

Isaac with Rebekah

Jacob and Rebekah to Isaac

Laban with Jacob and vice versa!

Brothers and sisters, these boys were doing what they had seen practiced by their family members.

I cannot stress enough the importance of modeling for our children and others what it looks like to please the Lord with the Lord’s help.

Ironically, they thought that their actions would put an end to Joseph’s dreams - but did they?

No!

In fact, these actions sealed the deal since Joseph would be elevated in Egypt, the place of his initial slavery!

Moreover, I want for you to keep in mind that Joseph was thrown into a pit as this will not be the only time something like this will happen to Joseph.

Notice, that Reuben attempts to rescue Joseph but the way that the brothers treat Joseph later demonstrates their lack of respect for him.

Genesis 37:23–24 “23 So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; 24 and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.”

The emphasis on the tunic only served to underscore its value that likely drove the brothers mad with envy from which they probably relished the forceful removal from Joseph.

The description of the pit helps us to understand that it was a water reservoir from which the brothers would have watered their father’s flocks.

However, it has no water in it now.

Why would the Spirit include this description?

To help us understand how desolate this place was.

The brothers threw Joseph in the pit not because of how comfortable it was, but because of how uncomfortable it would be.

Their actions are meant to express their great animosity towards their brother.

This is the danger of jealousy - you can get to a place where you are willing to severely mistreat others based on your own perception of what you deserve!

Genesis 37:25–28 “25 Then they sat down to eat a meal. And as they raised their eyes and looked, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing aromatic gum and balm and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 “Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.”

Was Judah’s suggestion really meant to lighten the situation?

No!

Judah’s suggestion almost has the tone of compassion in it.

He’s our brother so we shouldn’t kill him!

However, Judah is just thinking of a way to get his brother out of the way.

In reality, it’s no different from killing him because it produces the same result - getting rid of Joseph.

The “Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt” is meant to give us the way in which Joseph ended up in Egypt; hence, through enslavement.

Genesis 37:29–30 “29 Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments. 30 He returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is not there; as for me, where am I to go?””

Reuben undertakes a traditional action associated with mourning - the pretense to his father’s near response.

Why would Reuben as, “where am I to go?”

Because he thought himself responsible for Joseph’s welfare.

We even saw how he attempted to take responsibility for Joseph by suggesting that his brothers throw Joseph in the pit rather than kill him.

However, Reuben left for an unnamed reason.

Because the brothers acted without Reuben’s consent, they did not have enough regard for Reuben’s position as the oldest brother to consider Reuben’s perspective while he was away.

Hence, Reuben has lost respect before his brothers.

We’re not entirely sure how he lost this respect but it may have something to do with his foolish choice to sleep with his father’s wife, Bilhah (cf. Gen 35:22).

As if Reuben’s response was not bad enough, look at how the brother’s treat Jacob in light of Joseph’s forced departure.

Genesis 37:31–35 “31 So they took Joseph’s tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; 32 and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.” 33 Then he examined it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” 34 So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.”

Why would the brothers dip Joseph’s tunic in blood from a recently slaughtered goat?

To create a deception for their father.

Did you notice how this was the brothers’ scheme from the beginning?

Only, this time, they had not killed their brother.

Instead, they sold him as a slave.

But notice, to perpetuate this lie, they came up with a vague statement - check to see if this is your son’s.

They knew that it was.

Jacob immediately falls for their deception, as others had fallen for his in the past.

What callousness on the brothers’ part to maintain their lie in the face of their father’s constant mourning that he confessed he would experience for the rest of his life.

Jealousy not only prompts us to mistreat the person subject to our jealousy but even those that experience the consequences of our jealous hatred.

Genesis 37:36 “36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard.”

However, Joseph’s story is not complete.

While Jacob is mourning his son, his son assumes a new role and the narrative will continue on.

Though Jacob is believing one thing, God’s larger purpose is still at work and the Spirit has put this statement here to remind us that there’s a bigger picture that God sees that He is sovereignly working out.

Conclusion: We have seen a family broken by manipulation, deception, jealousy, hatred, and pride. At it’s core, each member of the family wanted something that another had - the brothers wanted their father’s affection that they ignorantly attributed to Joseph. However, the answer to this satisfaction came in the very first verse of this passage! Jacob found satisfaction in God’s promises and so must we!