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Genesis 37 - Joseph Narrative. How does chap. 36 fit?. Isaac’s blessing to Esau 27:39-40. Apparent fulfillment of this blessing in secular strength and might. (next slide). Esau = Edom (vs. 1,8). 3 wives | 5 sons* | 10 grandsons* * 13 Chiefs. Horites in Seir.
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How does chap. 36 fit? • Isaac’s blessing to Esau 27:39-40. • Apparent fulfillment of this blessing in secular strength and might. (next slide)
Esau = Edom (vs. 1,8) 3 wives | 5 sons* | 10 grandsons* * 13 Chiefs
Horites in Seir 20-30 = 7 sons became chiefs and 21 tribes were conquered by Esau 31-39 = 8 Kings in succession 40-43 = Chiefs in 11 districts Deu. 2:12
How does chap. 36 fit? • Setting for the opening of chapter 37 • Contrast of Esau and Joseph
Overview of Chapter 37 • 1-4 Jacob favors Joseph • 5-11 Joseph relates his two dreams • 12-35 Joseph sold by his brothers
Overview of Chapter 37 • 1-4 Jacob favors Joseph • 5-11 Joseph relates his two dreams • 12-35 Joseph sold by his brothers
1-4 Jacob favors Joseph • Joseph brings a bad report of his brothers to Jacob. • Jacob’s love for Joseph shown in his robe. • Brother’s response was one of hate and broken relationship.
Overview of Chapter 37 • 1-4 Jacob favors Joseph • 5-11 Joseph relates his two dreams • 12-35 Joseph sold by his brothers
Joseph relates his two dreams • Agricultural dream • Response of the brothers • Celestial dream • Response of the brothers and Jacob
Overview of Chapter 37 • 1-4 Jacob favors Joseph • 5-11 Joseph relates his two dreams • 12-35 Joseph sold by his brothers
What do we know so far? • The contrast between Esau (who has everything -land, generations, chiefs) and Jacob (a sojourner, father of 11 evil sons and whose generations are defined by a 17 year old boy - Joseph) • Jacob favors Joseph and gives him a long robe. This favor and the robe bring hate from his brothers.
What do we know so far? • Joseph receives two dreams that evoke even more hate from his brothers. • Jacob sends Joseph out to check on his brothers. • The brothers plot to kill “this dreamer of dreams.”
Joseph sold by his brothers • Joseph sent to inquire about his brothers. • Brothers plot against him • Reuben intercedes to save his life • Judah’s plan not to shed his blood • Joseph sold to the Ishmaelites. • Robe dipped in blood and shown to Jacob • The Ishmaelites sell Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt.
An interesting picture The scene for the eventual redemption of the nation of Israel has now been set up. An innocent, righteous and faithful person has suffered unjustly at the hands of his own brothers - does this sound familiar?
What can we learn? • Righteous and faithful behavior (regardless of the circumstances) often meets with jealousy and evil from others. • Suffering often does not mean I am doing something wrong, but perhaps the right thing! • Circumstances do not define our hope.
Chapter 38 Judah’s follies meet with a righteous woman
First - a broader context • 49:8-12 Jacob’s blessing of rulership • 43:8-10 Faithful behavior • 44:18-34 Plea to Joseph concerning Benjamin
Overview of Chapter 38 • 1-11 Judah’s Corruption • 12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah. • 20-26 Revelation of righteousness • 27-30 In the line of Christ
1-11 Judah’s Corruption • Judah leaves the family and turns to the Canaanites. • Three sons are born. • Two sons die due to wickedness • Shelah is withheld from Tamar. • Tamar left a barren widow.
Overview of Chapter 38 • 1-11 Judah’s Corruption • 12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah • 20-26 Revelation of righteousness • 27-30 In the line of Christ
12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah • Tamar uses deception to gain what is rightfully hers (see next slide)
Levirate Marriage and Halizah According to Biblical law, the brother of a deceased childless man is required to marry his brother's widow. The levirate marriage is referred to in Hebrew, as yibbum. When the levir (yavam) does not wish to marry the childless widow (yevamah), the ceremony of halizah (Heb. lit. removing the shoe) must take place. This ceremony releases the woman from the levirate tie (zikkat ha-yibbum) and she is free to marry someone else.
12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah • Tamar uses deception to gain what is rightfully hers. • Judah gives a pledge • Tamar conceives
What we have so far • Joseph, the favored son, hated by his brothers, has been sold into slavery in Egypt. • An interlude in the narrative concerning Judah, (4th son of Leah) • Judah has three sons and two die while married to Tamar (the practice of Levirate marriage). The text calls them wicked and God took their lives.
What we have so far • Judah’s third son is withheld from Tamar until he grows up. • Shelah grows up, but is not given to Tamar. • Tamar deceives Judah by dressing as a prostitute and lures him to her. She requests a pledge for the future payment of their transaction. • Judah gives up his cord and seal and his staff.
Overview of Chapter 38 • 1-11 Judah’s Corruption • 12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah • 20-26 Revelation of righteousness • 27-30 In the line of Christ
20-26 Revelation of Righteousness • The pledge is sent, but no “cult prostitute” was found. • Judah is informed of Tamar’s pregnancy • The righteousness of Tamar
20-26 Revelation of Righteousness Ruth 4:11-12 • 11 All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. • 12 "Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman."
Overview of Chapter 38 • 1-11 Judah’s Corruption • 12-19 Tamar’s deception of Judah • 20-26 Revelation of righteousness • 27-30 In the line of Christ
27-30 In the line of Christ • The younger struggles to overcome the elder.
27-30 In the line of Christ Ruth 4 • 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, • 19 and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, • 20 and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon, • 21 and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, • 22 and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.
Lessons from Chapter 38 • In spite of unrighteous and unfaithful men, a righteous woman can save a generation. • Unrighteous men complicate things, but do not stop the plan of God.
Chapter 39 “From faithful slave to faithful prisoner”
Overview of Chapter 39 • Faithful slave in the house of Potiphar • Faithfulness in the face of temptation • Faithful prisoner in the prison of Pharoah .
1-10 Faithful slave in the house of Potiphar • Bought by the captain of the guard • The Lord was with him - he was successful. • Joseph becomes the overseer of the house.
Overview of Chapter 39 • Faithful slave in the house of Potiphar • Faithfulness in the face of temptation • Faithful prisoner in the prison of Pharoah .
Faithfulness in the face of temptation • Refusal to sin • Fleeing from sin • False accusation
Overview of Chapter 39 • Faithful slave in the house of Potiphar • Faithfulness in the face of temptation • Faithful prisoner in the prison of Pharoah .
19-23 Faithful prisoner in the prison of Pharoah • The master was angered (but at whom?) • Joseph receives unjust punishment. • The Lord was with Joseph and gave him favor in the eyes of the keeper. He was made successful.
What do we know so far? • The favored son is loved by Jacob, yet hated by his brothers. • The favored son is sold into slavery • The interjection of the story of Judah and Tamar. • God is with Joseph and he is successful in the house of Potiphar. He is made in charge of the entire house.
What do we know so far? • Joseph withstands temptation. He equates faithfulness to his responsibilities to his master as faithfulness to God. • The righteous Joseph is unjustly condemned to prison. • Even in prison, Joseph’s faithfulness earns him the role of overseer and keeper of the prison.
The “red threads” • God’s choosing and selection of Joseph did not result in a lack of troubles for Joseph, or instant success. • In every unjust circumstance, Joseph was faithful to his master (his father, Potiphar, the jailor, Pharoah) • Perseverance was the hallmark of Joseph’s life.
Overview of Chapter 40 • 1-8 Two dreams • 9-19 Interpretation of the dreams • 20-23 Two heads lifted up!
1-8 Two dreams • “After some time” came the cupbearer and the baker of the Pharoah. • Joseph is put in charge of them “for some time.” • Dreams are given to the two and Joseph offers to help.
Overview of Chapter 40 • 1-8 Two dreams • 9-19 Interpretation of the dreams • 20-23 Two heads lifted up!
9-19 Interpretation of the dreams • The cupbearer - a positive outcome. • The baker - not so positive.