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.

Robe of many colors. Notice, suddenly father's name is changed – it is crucial for the right understanding. Israel is “the official” name, while Jacob is kept within the family. It is the head of the household and not “a dad” who appointed Joseph to the place of authority over 4 of his brothers (two of Bilhah and two of Zilpah), meaning that not 10 hated Joseph (later we will see how Reuben and Judah will try to save his life). The robe of many colors is a creative transnational expression. The phrase is used only twice in the Bible: here and in 2 Samuel 13:18-19, describing the clothing for the royal princess prior to her marriage. Was it colors or was it long sleeves – somehow it was a symbol of special status, that's why it is important.

Dreams of Joseph. Joseph had two dreams – both of them came true: the sheaves and the sun, for he will provide bread to the family and will become the highest official in the Egyptian Empire (sun worshiping empire). Yet, there is a tricky symbolism we need to account for in the second dream: 12 stars, the sun and the moon. The problem is if there are 12 brothers, them Rachel is dead (Genesis 35:16-25). That means that Joseph's mother couldn't be at the moment of dream – Genesis 37:10. If mother IS there, there are only 11 sons so far. The way to solve it is to see it in symbolic way as a complete set of celestial objects: the sun, and the moon, and 12 constellations of the Zodiac.

Brothers sold Joseph. Since we story mentions Shechem, we can safely assume that it all happened prior to events of Genesis 34 (Genesis 34:30, 35:1). The father asks Joseph to check on them (because they can get into trouble?? Genesis 37:2). When Joseph comes over, he can't find them at Shechem and talks to a guy who directs him to Dothan. That's where “the deal” will take place. (NB: this place will end up on a territory of Manasseh, a tribe of Joseph).

They see him from afar – and conspire to kill him from the very beginning (Genesis 37:18). Even when Reuben tries to talk them out of bloodshed (Genesis 37:21-22), he ends up in a pit – a place below the ground level with no water, a symbol of death. Note that Reuben was trying to protect Joseph until the very end (Genesis 37:29-30). Being the oldest, he was responsible for the whole party.

We've mentioned before that the ceremony of eating together is a reflection of the covenant. What is interesting here is they eat and drink, knowing that their brother is in the pit. Covenants might differ (Isaiah 28:15) but the pattern is the same (Exodus 32:6).

They see a caravan of Ishmaelites (relatives, right) bringing the healing goods, but instead of thinking of healing they think about selling Joseph. Interesting play on words, Joseph means “added up,” and Judah talks about the profit” (Genesis 37:26-27). The caravan was a mix of traders: sons of Ishmael together with Midianites (also relatives, Genesis 25:2).

Sometimes people make parallels between 30 pieces of silver for Jesus and 20 pieces of silver for Joseph. I don't think there is a need to concentrate on the number, but the idea to be sold is definitely here. In both cases we have an innocent man being sold by the one who is closed to him (Psalm 41:9). As we know Jesus was a son of Joseph (John 1:45), but it possible to see Him as a descendant of Joseph – who was unjustly sold into the powers of Gentile rulers.

When Reuben is distressed upon the absence of Joseph, the brothers came up with a tricky idea – take the special coat and deep in the blood of a goat. The way they presented to robe was very suspicious – see, if it's the robe of YOUR SON, not our brother... Did they mourn? A sense of sorrow for over the loss?? Nothing: please identify... sounds like a police report, a conversation with a coroner. “A fierce animal devoured him” says Jacob (Genesis 37:33), this phrase will haunt them until the end.

Yet, story has a cliffhanger – Joseph is not dead, he was sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh's officer, the captain of the guards. Basically, the head of the Egyptian KGB...