Genesis: Jacob reunites with Joseph

Jacob reunites with Joseph

text: Genesis 46 – 50

Outline:

A. 46, Joseph unites with the family

 B. 47:1-12, Jacob comes to pharaoh's palace

  C. 47:13-26, Joseph commands the people.

   D. 47:27-31, pledge to bury Jacob in the land

    E. 48, Jacob blesses and adopts two of the sons of Joseph

    E'. 49:1-27, Jacob blesses his sons

   D'. 49:28-32, request to be buried in the land

  C'. 50:1-3, Joseph commands servants

 B'. 50:4-14, Joseph get assistance from pharaoh

A'. 50:15-26, Joseph unites with brothers

Comments: We are almost at the happy end phase of the story. Joseph reunite with his father. Jacob blesses pharaoh. Two sons of Joseph adopted into the family with a higher status. And even death of the patriarch is followed by fulfillment of the promise. Everything looks great... but, there is a fly in the honey barrel (cp. Eccl. 10:1). Relationship between the brothers are not as simple as they could've been.

Return of the father. Back there in Genesis 25 I said: it is the story about Jacob: he is there, even if he is not. Here he finally emerges at the full strength – reunion with his favorite son, Joseph. But, what is interesting, the chapter begins with Jacob inquiring the God's opinion on this “travel.” And God approved it, Go, and I will go with you, and I will bring you up again” (Genesis 46:1-4). So, Jacob goes down to Egypt, but he doesn't go alone – he brings the whole family. And we have a list of the brothers with their sons (Genesis 46:5-27).

What is beautiful to see, is the picture of Jacob and Joseph's reunion – it is reversed by Jesus in the Parable of the Prodigal son (cp. Genesis 46:28-30 and Luke 15:11-31). Joseph is the one who approached his father, and he fells on the neck of Jacob. Then he teaches his brothers how to respond to pharaoh to get the land good for shepherding (Genesis 46:31-34).

Jacob blesses pharaoh. After the family settled in Goshen, Jacob was invited to the palace. We could've expect a word of thanksgiving from pharaoh to Jacob for raising such a great son, who saved the day. We could've expected a signs of grace and mercy from the pharaoh to Jacob, but what we see is Jacob blessing pharaoh, twice (Genesis 47:7, 10). This tells us that the spiritual authority belongs to the people of the covenant. The patriarch extends the Lord's dominion to the other nations. This is a good resolution of relationship with the “others,” unlike the examples we saw in Genesis 6 (sons of God and the daughters of men) or 34 (situation at Shechem).

The rest of chapter 47 tells two stories: first, on of how the people of Egypt became slaves to the pharaoh, but not to Joseph [this part sometimes becomes a reason for antisemitic interpretation] (Genesis 47:13-26). The second one is a fast track of life of Jacob in Egypt – total days are numbered and the promise of Canaan burial is given (Genesis 47:27-31). But we will see at least three important events before the end of his life.

Adoption of Joseph's sons. This is the first one of the important events, when we zoom into Jacob's last 17 years. He takes two sons of Joseph and adopts them into the tribes of Israel. And even more that that – he reverses the placement of the sons. The younger gets a right-hand blessing, while the older is blessed by the left hand (Genesis 48:14-18). In the rite of Shabbat (Sabbath meal at home a Jewish father supposed to say the lines from Genesis 48:20).

The second event is the Blessing of the tribes. He blesses all twelve of them, but in an unique way. First of all, Jacob sets Judah as THE heir (not Reuben, and not Joseph or one of his sons). Thus showing the respect to the birth order and Leah's devotion to God and the family (cp. Genesis 29:35). Second, what is interesting is his usage of the animal and/or “greenery” imagery. Just one example, Benjamin is portrayed as a wolf (Genesis 49:27). On one hand, this is unclean animal, fierce predator and carnivore (Matthew 7:15). On the other hand, a successful family-oriented animal – I think, Jacob meant it this way. Note that the very first king of Israel was Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin. Family oriented man who raised obedient children.

The third and the final event is Jacob's death. After finishing the blessings, Jacob says that he is going to be where his father and mother are buried, and where Abraham and Sarah are buried, but also Leah is buried there. Note that the beloved Rachel was buried by the side of a road (Genesis 35:19-20), and – again, Leah's child is placed in charge (Genesis 49:8-12). Joseph cries for the sixth time... Then he orders to balm the father, and there are on their way to Canaan. Interestingly enough – the locals think that they are Egyptians (Genesis 50:11).

But the death of Jacob is not the last story in the book – Last tears of Joseph is. Looks like brothers didn't believe the forgiveness of Joseph. They came up with a story about their father vouching on their behalf (to them, and not to Joseph directly... really?). People have different takes on this incident. Some believe, that the mentioning of his father so soon after the burial made him cry. I think it is an understanding that they don't trust him, and don't believe in his forgiveness made him cry. He had to calm them down (Genesis 50:21), talking (literally) to their hearts (decision making organ in a human).

Romans 9. Part II: Paradox of God's patience

Paradox of God’s patience

Text: Roman 9:19-33

After two examples of Jacob vs. Esau and Moses vs. Pharoah, St. Paul asks a question about God’s will and determination v. 19

If everything is pre-determined, why is it their (Esau’ and Pharoah’) fault?

Two answers:

(a) Potter has authority over any vessel of his making, vv. 20-21, but it should be read in the context of God desire to show His … mercy bearing the vessels of wrath with patience – reason being that people being called not from the Jews only, but also from Gentiles

Supported by three quotes:

Hosea 1:10 – return of His mercy after the prophet’s sad personal example.

Isaiah 10:22-23 – the remnant is going to be saved, in the presence of many numerous Israel – as the sand of the sea.

Isaiah 1:9 – Lord gave the offspring – the Messiah – for the delivery of Israel, overwise they would be doomed.

All three quotes are given as a description of His mercy, while judgement is coming. Yet, the judgement is not the point, the point is God’s glory and mercy.

(b) righteousness by works over the righteousness by faith.

The faith is the key for the understanding of God’s conundrum of wrath vs. mercy, see John 3:16-18. Condemnation is not a result of God’s choice or election, but faith vs. lack of believing of people.

Israelites have stumbled with all the gifts of God were at their disposal – see 9:4-5, as prophesied by Isaiah 28:16 – stone of stumbling, in relation to it/Him people will have either offence vs. no be put shame.

LENT: EXODUS 11

Lenten devotions: Exodus 11 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

This is the first out of three chapters when we get into the first Passover narrative. There is an announcement of one more plague in chapter 11 (see the previous devotion when we discussed the number of plagues). Then chapter 12 tells us of the execution of the Passover, and chapter 13 concludes the story by consecration of the Firstborn. So, let’s dive into the text.

By this time Moses had great respect in the eyes of everyone but pharaoh – his pride blinded him, his understanding became dull, and the heart got really hardened. Plague after plague the LORD showed His might and His mercy – for after awhile YHWH would also pull back and restrain Himself. There is a reason why we proclaim that “His mercy endures forever” (see Psalm 136). Even here we should notice that God first gives a final chance to the pharaoh, sending His servant Moses to announce His plans.

He is not a thief, who sets an ambush and attacks in the dark. He warned, He appealed and called back to repentance… All the words of Moses fell on deaf ears. This is very sad when people are pushing back, rejecting the will of the LORD, and then complaining about their circumstance.

LENT: EXODUS 8

Lenten devotions: Exodus 8 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

Chapter 8 tells us 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th plagues. Frogs, gnats, flies. There is an interesting progression – from water (the first plague) to frogs (who come from water), then a bit higher – to gnats, then to flies (level up). Spoiler alert – the LORD will destroy the whole religious system of Egypt. Beginning with Nile – one of the basic gods of Egypt. Ending up with the Sun – the “top” deity of the land. Step by step, the LORD will show His superiority.

What I would like to point out is the fact that the release of pressure on the authorities and the land leads to hardening of the pharaoh’s heart. He is not thankful for a deliverance, his doesn’t consider the audacity of the futile resistance to God… Every time Moses and Aaron announce a withdrawal of a plague, he doubles down…

LENT: Exodus 1

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 1 (please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

Today we are entering the time of Lent. There are many things that can be said about this, so I decided to do something ir-regular. The time of Lent is 40 days, so I thought why won’t we go through a book of the Bible that has 40 chapters, taking one chapter a day as a source of devotional meditation. So, here we are, the first chapter.

The first chapter of Exodus begins with a great statement concerning Israel, and almost immediate escalation of tension between the Egyptian rulers and the sons of Jacob. God blessed people of Israel abundantly: Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:6-7). As a response pharaoh at first came up with a tough plan, attempting to suppress them, but it didn’t help – “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied” (Exodus 1:12). Then pharaoh came up with a wicked plan – murdering the newly born baby boys (Exodus 1:15-16). Sad times…

Romans: Israel and God's mercy

 Israel and GOD’S MERCY

Structure:

a. 9:1-5, They are Israelites

  b. 9:6-13, God’s plan might continue

    c. 9:14, What then are we to say?

      d. 9:15-16, I will show mercy to whom I will 

      d’. 9:17-18, He has mercy upon whom He will

    c’. 9:19, You will say to me then?

  b’. 9:20-23, does the potter have control

a’. 9:24-29, Israelites – in numbers vs. saved.

Text: 9:1-18 

The benefits of Israel, to them belong:

1. adoption

2. glory

3. covenant

4. Giving of the Law/Torah

5. worship

6. promises

7. patriarchs

8. Messiah/Christ

True children – through Isaac, through Jacob:

Promise to Abraham, promise to Rebekah vs. the results of these promises more than 1000 years later – v.13 “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Mercy and compassion of God does not depend on human will or exertion (9:16; cp. Eph. 2:8-9).   

Pharaoh’s case – God raised him to glorify His name (after Pharaoh rejected the will of God numerus times).