The Joseph Narrative Genesis 37 -50 John

The Joseph Narrative Genesis 37 -50 © John Stevenson, 2009

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. ~y. Si. P; tn

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. ~y. Si. P; tn

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. What does the Bible say about favoritism?

Joseph’s Dreams First Dream • Binding sheaves in a field • Other sheaves bowed down to Joseph’s sheaf Second Dream • Sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down before Joseph

Genesis 37: 12 -13 Then his brothers went to pasture their father's flock in Shechem. 13 Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them. ” And he said to him, “I will go. ”

Genesis 37: 14 Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me. ” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. ~Alv

Genesis 37: 15 -17 A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for? ” 16 He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock. ” 17 Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan. ’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

Dothan Shechem Hebron

Genesis 37: 18 When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

Genesis 37: 21 -22 But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life. ” 22 Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him” -- that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father.

What were Reuben’s possible motives?

Genesis 37: 28 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.

The Place of Providence • Joseph just happened to be sent to meet his brothers. • A man just happened to have heard the brothers’ moving plans • Reuben just happened to intervene • The caravan of Ishmaelites just happened along • They just happened to go to Egypt

Genesis 37: 31 -32 So they took Joseph’s tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; 32 and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not. ”

Joseph Jesus He was beloved by his He was the beloved of father the Father He was hated by his brothers and they plotted to murder him He was sold for 20 shekels of silver by Judah He was hated by his brethren and they plotted to murder him He was sold for 30 pieces of silver by Judas George Sayour

Judah Interlude Genesis 38 • Judah takes a Canaanite wife • Judah arranges Canaanite wives for his sons • Death of Judah’s sons • Tamar and the quest for an heir

Genesis 38: 13 -14 It was told to Tamar, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep. ” 14 So she removed her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife.

Genesis 38: 15 -16 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face. 16 So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, “Here now, let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me? ”

Genesis 38: 17 -18 He said, therefore, “I will send you a young goat from the flock. ” She said, moreover, “Will you give a pledge until you send it? ” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you? ” And she said, “Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand. ” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.

Genesis 38: 24 Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry. ” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

“I am with child by the man to whom these things belong” (Genesis 38: 25)

Jacob deceives Ten sons Tamar deceives Isaac deceive Jacob Judah Jacob dons the The sons of Tamar take the clothing of Esau Jacob deceive pledge of Judah’s and uses the skin him with the coat seal and cord and of a goat in the of Joseph stained staff and is deception with the blood of a promised a goat as payment Isaac in 27: 23 does not recognize (rkn) Jacob in 37: 32 Judah asked to recognizes examine (rkn) the items the coat of his pledge

What are we to think of Tamar? Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah. ” (Genesis 38: 26)

Tamar is the account of a Canaanite who came into the covenant community and who learned to value the heritage of the seed of Abraham.

• Tamar: Dresses and acts like a prostitute • Rahab: Is a prostitute • Ruth: A Moabite woman • Bathsheba: An Adulterous woman • Mary: Shouldered the assumption that she bore a child out of wedlock

Genesis 38: 27 -28 It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. 28 Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first. ”

Genesis 38: 29 -30 But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.

Younger Brother Motif • • • Seth instead of Cain Isaac instead of Ishmael Jacob instead of Esau Perez instead of Zerah Ephraim instead of Manasseh We have an elder brother who has given us His inheritance

Judah Joseph Went to a foreigner of Taken to Egypt against his own will his will Sexual immorality: Sexual morality: Went in to his daughter Resisted seduction -in-law Left his seal & cord Accuser Sons judged by God Left his garment Falsely accused Blessed by God True accusation of a woman False accusation of a woman

Genesis 39 contains a story that looks, from a human perspective, to be one of defeat

Promise Seeming Defeat Supernatural Fulfillment Abraham: He and Sarah A son is born in Descendants are both their old age will be a barren and old multitude Jacob: To be He becomes a He returns with given rule over fugitive in great wealth the land Haran Joseph: Your A slave in the family will bow prison of a down to you foreign superpower He is raised up to become the second in all of Egypt

Promise Seeming Defeat Supernatural Fulfillment Moses: You Rejected by Leads Israel out will lead your Israelites; a of Egypt and country out of fugitive in through the Red bondage Midian Sea Jesus: The Crucified, dead Resurrection; Kingdom of and buried; His Ascension; the Heaven is at disciples giving of the hand scattered Holy Spirit to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth

The Lord’s Presence • The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man (39: 2). • Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand (39: 3). • But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer (39: 21).

The Lord’s Presence • The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper. (Genesis 39: 23).

How did Joseph’s presence in Egypt benefit the various characters in the narrative?

How does the presence of Christians in the world today benefit others with whom they are associated?

Genesis 41: 14 -15 Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it. ”

Genesis 41: 16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. ” ~Alv'

Genesis 41: 32 “Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. ”

Genesis 41: 33 -34 “Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. ”

Genesis 41: 35 -36 “Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. 36 Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine. ”

Genesis 41: 38 -40 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit? ” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you. ”

In the Days of Joseph

THE NILE

The Pyramids were already many hundreds of years old

Middle Kingdom 1991 - 1786 B. C.

Pyramid era Dynasty 12 1991 - 1786 Era of the biblical patriarchs New Kingdom Dynasties 18 -20 1587 - 1085 Era of Moses and the Exodus 3 rd Intermediate Period 2686 – 2181 Middle Kingdom 2 nd Intermediate Period Dynasties 3 -6 1 st Intermediate Period Archaic Period Old Kingdom

Goshen

Joseph’s brothers hate him (37) Interlude: Judah signified as leader (38) Joseph’s enslavement in Egypt (39) Joseph before Pharaoh: A plan to save Egypt (40 -41) Journeys of brothers to Egypt (42 -43) Brothers pass the test of love for their brother (44 -45) Migrations of family to Egypt (46: 1 -27) Joseph before Pharaoh: A plan to save Israel (46: 28 - 47: 12) Joseph’s enslavement of Egyptians (47: 13 -31) Interlude: Judah blessed as ruler (48: 1 - 49: 28) Joseph’s brothers fear him (49: 29 - 50: 26)

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually.

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually. As Moses writes this narrative, God is doing the same thing to Israel.

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually. What is God doing in your life today to bring you closer to Himself?

Blessing on Ephraim & Manasseh Genesis 48

Hebrews 11: 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Genesis 49: 1 -2 Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come. 2 Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob; And listen to Israel your father. ”

Genesis 49: 8 -9 hd'y" Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

Genesis 49: 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Burial arrangements for Israel (1 -3) Joseph’s petition to Pharaoh (4 -6) Preparation to bury Jacob (7 -9) Mourning over Jacob (10 -12) Burial of Jacob (12 -14) Joseph’s brothers petition him (15 -21) Burial arrangements & death of William Ramey Joseph (22 -26)

Genesis 50: 19 -20 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. ”

A Pattern of Israel’s Purpose • Altars & Worship • A Sense of Purpose • Unity • Racial & Religious Purity

Genesis 50: 25 -26 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here. ” 26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.