By Randall L. Broad
Read:
Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 2:16-22
In
today’s reading we begin the narrative of Joseph that will be the final saga of
the Patriarchal History contained in Genesis.
The
story of Joseph is one of the most important narratives in the One Year Bible. He
is the eleventh of twelve sons born to Jacob and the first born to Rachel. He
is Jacob’s favorite son because of his mother and he was born in Jacob’s old
age (vv. 3-4). Like the story of Abraham who first receives the covenant of
land, descendants, and the blessing for all
the families of the earth. (Genesis 12:3), the life of Joseph is essential
to the unfolding of God’s plan to restore the union that was lost in the
garden. His life is significant because he will be betrayed by his brothers,
sold into slavery and rise to become the second most powerful man in the
Ancient Near East. Egypt is the most powerful empire of his time and through
God’s blessing Joseph will rise to be second only to Pharaoh in worldly power.
Yet, what is most impressive about Joseph is the spiritual power he is given as
a prophet through which he becomes God’s most important servant of his
generation. He accomplishes this despite being the victim of lies, jealousy and
betrayal.
The reading
today contains the story of two prophetic dreams Joseph experiences as a young
man and shares with his brothers and father.
5Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his
brothers, they hated him all the more. 6He said to them, “Listen to this
dream I had: 7We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when
suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around
mine and bowed down to it.”
8His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign
over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of
his dream and what he had said.
9Then he had another dream, and he told it to his
brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and
moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
10When he told his father as well as his brothers,
his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother
and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11His
brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Genesis 37:5-11
These
two dreams set the stage for our readings in the days ahead. We found the story
of Joseph’s birth recorded in Genesis 30:24, but it is in chapter 37 where he
becomes the most important character in the narrative of Genesis. While Jacob
is still the patriarch of the family until his death (v. 49:33), the narrative
shifts to the story of a family being torn apart by jealousy which starts with
the rivalry between Leah and Rachel and spreads to all of Jacob’ sons (v.
30:1). Jacob himself adds to their jealousy by giving Joseph a special tunic of
many colors (v. 37:3). It is a testimony to the flawed understanding of their
flesh, other men, and God the brother inherited from Adam that they would
harbor maliciousness toward Joseph. He reported badly about them in verse two
to his father and now he has shared with them two dreams suggesting his
greatness and their subservience to him (vv. 37:5-9). Jacob rebukes him for the
dream (v. 37:10) and his brother’s hate (v. 37:2) grows into envy (37:11).
It is
interesting to note Jacob rebukes Joseph in verse eleven, but keeps “the matter
in mind” (v. 37:11). Jacob could not have been blind to the troubles of his
family, but also knows of God’s promises to his grandfather Abraham. Scholars
believe Jacob despite his rebuke knew Joseph’s dreams were from God. Throughout
the rest of Genesis (vv. 38-50), Jacob’s family will become divided by their
quarrels until they are reunited in Egypt. First the brothers conspire to sell
Joseph into slavery (37:28). Then Judah, the one whose descendants will bring
forth the Messiah, leaves the family and marries a Canaanite woman (v. 38:1-3).
Simeon also takes a Canaanite wife and the family God has anointed in Genesis
12:1-3 begins to look more and more like any other family in the Ancient Near
East–or for that matter any family today. But God is working through Joseph
(and to a lesser extent his brothers) to orchestrate the circumstances that
will bring God’s Covenant with Abraham to fulfillment.
Joseph’s
prophetic gifts and administrative skills allow Egypt not only to survive but
to prosper in the face of worldwide famine and to become a haven to others
seeking relief from their hunger. When Jacob sends his sons to Egypt in search
of food, they do not even recognize their brother. Joseph recognizes them and he
has the power to turn them away to die, but instead he uses them to bring Jacob
and the whole tribe to Egypt and does the unthinkable–he forgives them. In
this act of grace, Joseph represents an Old Testament form of Christ. My
favorite Bible dictionary writes of Joseph:
“He presents a noble ideal of character, remarkable
for his gentleness, faithfulness to duty, magnanimity, and forgiving spirit, so
that he is often regarded as an Old Testament type of Christ.”[1]
It is
in this form of Christ Joseph becomes an inspiration to all New Testament
believers. His father’s leadership is fading with his health and none of his
brothers has emerged as the leader of the family. Later in the story, on his
death bed Jacob will delegate leadership in accordance with God’s plan (Genesis
49:1-28), but until that time Joseph will endure his tests, remain strong in his
faith, and never loses sight of God’s will. Today he is sold into slavery, but
in the readings ahead Joseph will wield the power of life and death over his
brothers and family. God will place their survival and the Kingdom of God in
his hands and despite all they will have done to him–he will forgive them.
Walk
with the Lord …
Ephesians
1:17
(RLB250118)
©
Copyright 2017: Randall L. Broad
Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.
[1] Barabas, Steven. "Joseph." In Pictorial
Bible Dictionary, edited by Merrill C. Tenney, Nashville: Southwestern,
1968: 449
