Genesis Chapter 37

Joseph’s Dreams

The Book of Genesis now takes a dramatic turn. It begins to focus on the life and exploits of the Favored son, Joseph. Joseph was the first born son of Jacob’s favored wife, Rachel, who had died on the way to Bethlehem. Remember the figures of speech mentioned earlier in our study to help you as we study the life of Joseph. SIMILE: Resemblance; ALLEGORY: comparison by representation; METAPHOR: Representation; HYPOCATASTASIS: An implied resemblance or representation; TYPE: A figure or example of something future; ANALOGY: Resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike. We will discover many similarities to the life of Jesus, so be on the look out for them.

37:1

This appears to be a summary of Jacob’s time in the land of Canaan; and the reference that it was the land of his father, yet both were considered strangers and sojourners, or ‘pilgrims’ in the land. It was NOT their permanent home. We too, are ‘strangers’ and ‘pilgrims’ in a ‘foreign’ land, as this is NOT our permanent home, either. Heaven is our longed for permanent homeland!

37:2

This begins the history, or genealogy, of Jacob, a.k.a. Israel. Although we are told we are being given a history, immediately the narrative focuses on Joseph, at the age of 17. It appears that Joseph has been given the position of ‘overseeing’ the work of his older brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah; as they shepherd the flocks of Jacob. His job required that he bring an accurate and honest report of the work being done. We are told that his report regarding their service indicates their work, and perhaps their actions, are not up to good standards. The youngest son, Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, is too young to be in the fields, and is no doubt at home with his father.

37:3

Israel loved Joseph more than all his 12 sons; so much so, that he had a special coat made for him which was made of many colors. It may have been sown together with different fabrics; or may have been dyed by artisans who made coats for dignitaries, or royalty; in any case, it indicated that Joseph was favored and in a position of authority.

37:4

Jealousy is the response by the brothers as they see the special treatment that Joseph received from their father; and that he is obviously the favored son above them all. They hate him so much, they cannot even speak ‘peaceably’ to him.

37:5

Now Joseph dreams a dream that is so vivid and powerful that Joseph believes it is a prophecy from God and wants to share it with someone, and tells it to his brothers. As he tells them of the dream, they hate him even more intensely. When we have a powerful, dramatic dream, that may be a Dream from God, it would be wise to pray and ponder it’s meaning for us and our future; and ask for God’s guidance and direction before sharing it with anyone. Especially those who are not pleased with us, or have our best interests at heart.

37:6-7

Joseph tells them his dream: He asks them to hear his dream, and then begins with BEHOLD, indicating that this is something very important and special. As he describes the dream he tells them they are working together in the field binding sheafs, and his sheaf rises up above the others, and his brother’s sheafs come around him and bow down to his sheaf.

37:8

They immediately recognize that this dream means Joseph is stating that he will Rule over them, and have power and dominion over them. Not what they want to hear at all! Surely, Joseph should have realized that they would NOT favor this dream, and certainly not like it’s implications. Yet, a 17 year old teenager doesn’t always make the best decisions. All of us can relate to that! The result is their hatred is increased in vengeance.

37:9-10

Now Joseph dreams another dream, and again he tells it to his brothers, saying “Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream, and this time not only the eleven stars, but the sun and the moon also bowed down and did reverence to me! We see here a Pride problem, as Joseph realizes that the dream means he will have a place of importance, and he wants everyone to know about it. Bad idea. Joseph also tells his father and all his brothers of this new dream. His father, Jacob, rebukes him and says what is the meaning of this dream; shall I and your mother and all your brothers actually come and bow down to the earth and do homage to you?!

37:11

Joseph’s brothers envied him and were jealous of him. Yet, his father thought deeply about the dream and pondered its meaning. Keep in mind that Jacob had vivid dreams from God regarding his future and the future of his people; so he was no doubt trying to discern the meaning of these dreams that seem to mean that Joseph would be elevated far above his brothers, and even above Jacob. The fact that he mentions his mother means that the dream could have eternal significance, since his mother had already died. Joseph at this time was still young, and already knew he was the favored son, so the additional pride he felt by having these prophetic dreams that indicated he would have great authority over all of them resulted in a serious pride problem. Ever been ‘favored’ over others? Can you relate to the ‘Pride’ problem? How should we handle that Pride? Remember, it is a SIN!

37:12-14

Joseph’s brothers leave the Hebron valley and go to feed and care for their father’s flocks near Schechem. Some time goes by, maybe just a few weeks; then Israel tells Joseph to go to Schechem to see how they are doing with the flock. It would appear that Israel does not really trust his sons to properly look after the flock, or perhaps he is concerned about what else they may be doing, in any case, he asks Joseph to see if everything is all right with his brothers and the flocks, and then to report back to him. Joseph willingly agrees to go to Shechem and do as his father commands him. The trip from Hebron going north to Schechem is about 50 miles.

37:15-17

A certain man finds Joseph wandering in a field, and asks him what he is seeking? It appears that Joseph might be just a bit of a day dreamer, as he was ‘wandering’. Joseph immediately tells the man he is seeking his brothers, and could he tell him where they are feeding their flocks? The man tells Joseph that he overheard them say “Let us go to Dothan” and that they had departed from the area and gone to Dothan. So Joseph goes after his brothers and finds them in Dothan. Dothan is another 15 miles to the north.

37:18-20

Now the brothers see Joseph coming toward them from a long way away, probably because of the colorful coat he is wearing. In any case they conspired together to kill him. They call him ‘this dreamer’ They are so angry over his Dreams that they say: “Let’s kill him and throw him into some pit, and we can say an evil beast has devoured him.” Then we will see what becomes of his high and mighty Dreams!

37:21-22

Reuben comes back into the camp about this time and hears what they are planning and says “No, let’s not shed his blood, but instead just throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not kill him.” Reuben tells them that to keep them from killing Joseph. Then Reuben planned to rescue him from the pit and return him to his father.

37:23-25

As Joseph shows up at their camp he is no doubt tired, thirsty and hungry after his long trek from Hebron. It was probably a two day journey. The brothers immediately stripped Joseph of his coat of many colors and take him and throw him into the pit, which has no water in it. Then they casually sit down to eat dinner! As they are eating, they look up and see a Caravan of Ishmeelites coming from Gilead, with spicery, balm and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.

37:26-28

Then Judah comes up with a plan, telling his brothers, what good is it to kill our brother, and then have to conceal his blood? Instead let’s just sell him and make a profit, then his’ blood’ will not be on our hands. All the brothers with him agreed to the plan. So as the Midianite merchantmen come by, they bring Joseph up out of the pit and sell him for 20 pieces of silver. The Midianites then bring Joseph with them to Egypt.

37:29-30

Reuben was not with the brothers when this evil plot was implemented. When he returned to the pit to sneak Joseph out, he was gone! Reuben was so distressed, that he tore his clothes, and returned to the other brothers, and said “where can I go, the lad is gone, and I am responsible for him!” Because Reuben was the oldest son, he was the one Jacob would hold accountable for the missing Joseph.

37:31-32

The brothers take Joseph’s famous coat and kill a kid goat and soak it in the blood. Then they send the coat to their father with the message that they had ‘found it’ and wanted to know if it was ‘your son’s tunic?’ What a cruel and heartless way to lie to their father, insinuating that his beloved son was attacked and eaten by a wild animal!

37:33-34

Jacob immediately recognizes the famous coat of many colors, and identifies it as Joseph’s coat, with the certain assumption that Joseph was torn to pieces by an evil wild beast and eaten! Jacob tears his clothing, puts on sackcloth and mourns and cries in terrible grief and sorrow for his beloved son, Joseph.

37:35

All his sons and daughters try to console him, but Jacob cannot be comforted and tells them he will go down to Sheol, the place of the dead, mourning for his son. Israel mourns and weeps day after day for his son, Joseph. No one can console him; he just wants to die and go and be with his son Joseph! When we tell a lie to ‘get even’ with someone, or to try to get an advantage over another, we often fail to realize the terrible damage and hurt that lie can do to others. Often people never realize the terrible pain and damage they can cause by lies. Seek to always speak the Truth in love.

37:36

As Jacob is grieving and weeping for his son, Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Potiphar is the captain and chief executioner of the Royal Guard. What a sad and sorrowful situation. Yet, even in times of great troubles, God IS at work.