Genesis: Joseph and his brothers

Joseph and the brothers

text: Genesis 42 – 45

Outline:

A. 42:1-5, Jacob sends the sons to Egypt (Benjamin stays behind)

  B. 42:6-25, First interaction between Joseph and the brothers

    C. 42:26-38, Sacks are full and with gifts

      D. 42:37 – 43:10, Reuben's and Judah's proposition

A'. 43:11-14, Jacob finally agrees to send Benjamin

  B'. 43:12-34, Second interaction between Joseph and the brothers.

    C', 44:1-13, Sacks are “loaded”

      D'.44:14-34, Judah approaches Joseph.

  B''. 45:1-15, Joseph discloses himself

A''. 45:16-28, Family moves to Egypt

Comments: This is the story when the Brothers are driven to Egypt by famine (by God, cp. Genesis 50:20). They have to interact with Joseph. For sure, they didn't recognize him. To begin with, I don't think they expected to be alive. Also, he looked like an Egyptian – shaved, make-up, etc. He is prepared to play a long game with them. As a result of his strategy, they came twice, approaching Joseph three times, making it very Biblical – every testimony is supported by two or three witnesses. At the end, he discloses himself, I'm your brother Joseph (Genesis 45:4).

Genesis: Joseph - from a slave to Prime Minister

Joseph: from a slave to Prime Minister

text: Genesis 39 – 41

Outline:

A. 39, Joseph cares for Potiphar's house

  B. 40, Joseph interpreted dreams in prison

  B'. 41:1-26, Joseph interpreted dreams for pharaoh

A'. 41:27-57, Joseph cares for Egypt

Comments: After an intermission filled with the story of Judah, we are coming back to Joseph. There are three main parts of Joseph's life in Egypt. First, his rise from slave to the Prime Minister. Second, interaction with his brothers. Third, reunion with Jacob and settlement of the family in Egypt.

Genesis: Judah and Tamar

 Judah and Tamar

text: Genesis 38

Structure:

A. 38:1-5, Birth of Judah's children

  B. 38:6-11, promise of giving Shelah as a husband

    C. 38:12-18, Tamar got the pledge items

    C'. 38:19-23, Judah can not retrieve his pledge items

  B'. 38:24-26, Judah confesses that didn't gave Shelah to Tamar

A'. 38:27-30, Birth of Judah's children

Comments: There are at least two things that should be said before the comments. First, the length of this story. It takes maybe 5 minutes to read it, but when one puts the years of boys being born, get married, dye, and for Judah to have it right – the span of the narrative occupy 20+ years. Therefore, Judah comes to his senses about the same time when he takes personal responsibilities over the safety of Benjamin (Genesis 43:8) along with stepping up as the spokesman for the brothers negotiating with Joseph whom they have did not recognize (Genesis 44:18). That connects the story with the future part of the narrative – and it is the second point to know prior to the reading. Genesis's author carefully places Judah and Tamar story here to show his conversion and not to intervene the Joseph narrative in the future. We need to understand how Judah converts from being irresponsible selfish man to the head of the household who will end up being the heir of Jacob's blessings, becoming the ruling tribe (Genesis 49:8-12). Now to the text!

Genesis: Jacob and Joseph

Jacob and Joseph

Text: Genesis 37

Outline:

A. 37:1-2, Jacob settles in the land.

B. 37:3-4, Robe of many colors.

C. 37:5-11, Joseph's dreams.

D. 37:12-36, Brothers sold Joseph.

Comments: Jacob settled in the land. There is nothing wrong in an attempt to find a quiet place, especially after years and years of fight for survival. Yet, Jacob jumped the gun – he thinks that all the troubles are passed, and now his favorite son can help him managing his estate. He should've learned from the father of faith – Abraham (Genesis 28:13) – that the current state is not forever (Hebrews 11:9-10; 13:14). Strife for permanent makes one solidify or petrify. When the challenges come, he is unable to adjust.

Genesis: Jacob returns to the LAND

 Jacob returns to the land

text: Genesis 32 – 35

Outline:

a. 32, Jacob meets with Esau

  b. 34, Dina's incident

c. 35, Getting rid of the idols and birth of Benjamin

Comments: Jacob settled his deals with Laban. Now, he is on the move toward the river than he needs to cross to return to the land. But he gets a report – his brother comes toward him, supported by 400 men. What Jacob is going to do? He needs a time alone...

Genesis: Jacob and Laban

Jacob and Laban

text: Genesis 28-31

Outline:

A. 28:10-22, Jacob's Dream.

B. 29:1-30, Jacob's Marriage.

C. 29:31-30:24, Jacob's Children.

D. 30:25-43, Jacob's Wealth.

E. 31, Jacob flees from Laban.

Comments: Jacob leaves mom and dad, getting father's blessing the right way (Genesis 28:1). The main “task” is to reach uncle Laban – Rebekah's brother. He gets there, and gets married. In his 20 years his wives bear him 11 sons and at least one daughter. Then, the time to return home came, Jacob flees Laban.

The Twelve: St. Philip

St. Philip

Meaning of the name: Philip is a Greek name. It comes from two words: phileo – “to love” or “to be fond of” or “to be friend of” (Philadelphia – Brotherly Love), and hippos – “horse.” Therefore, a person, who is fond of horses. The name got historical significance after Philip II – ruler of Macedon (northern part of modern Greece), father of Alexander the Great. I am not sure that the horse plays any role in the life of Philip, but the fact that he has Greek name (along with Andrew) will be an important fact duting the Triumphant Entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

Life story: In all of the lists of apostles Philip always has 5^th place (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). First, the list has the triumvirate of Peter, James, and John. Then Andrew (we talked about him first, for he was called first). Then – always – Philip. Jesus picked the Twelve out of many disciples. Some have more stories – some have less, but each of them has a special place in the ranks of His followers.