Day 27, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 37–39
Overcoming Hatred
What causes hatred in a home, school, church, business, or other organization? Usually, it is caused by favoritism or unfair treatment, whether real or imagined. Some people are perpetrators of hatred, and others are victims of it. Does God care? What should we do?
Jacob favors Joseph
In today’s Bible reading, the patriarch Jacob causes jealousy and hatred in his family. He forfeits the rights of his firstborn son, Reuben, to the family inheritance because he slept with one of Jacob’s wives, Bilhah (1Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 37:3). The rights are then given, not to Leah’s second-born son, but to Joseph, the firstborn son of Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel. This decision causes hatred toward Joseph because Jacob favors him over the rest of his older brothers.Moreover, Joseph is given a special robe to wear, which distinguishes him above them. From his own life, Jacob should have known the danger which favoritism brings to a family. Nevertheless, he still chooses Joseph over his other sons. Are we doing anything which may cause bitterness or anger?
The last straw
The jealousy in Jacob’s household goes from bad to worse. At age seventeen, Joseph gives an unfavorable report about his brothers. Maybe Joseph’s brothers are lazy or irresponsible. Still, no one wants to look bad in the eyes of his parent or employer.
One night, Joseph receives two visions from the LORD about his destiny. Dreams in those days had special significance and meaning. The meaning of these images is clear to his family—Joseph would be lifted up above his brothers, and even his mother and father would bow down to him. God’s hand of blessing would certainly be upon Joseph. His brothers, however, don't see it that way. They think Joseph is just cocky, seeking to elevate himself above his family, and this causes more hatred.
Joseph is punished; Jacob deceived
One day, Joseph is given the task of checking up on his brothers. Perhaps, Jacob thinks his other sons can’t be trusted, but he trusts Joseph.
Now, this dreamer is alone, away from the protecting eyes of his father. Seeing him from afar, they plot to kill him, but Reuben persuades his brothers to throw him into a dry cistern. Reuben plans to deliver him later.
When a caravan of Ishmaelite merchants travels by them, however, his brothers sell Joseph to them. Then, to cover-up their deed, the brothers take Joseph’s beautiful robe, dip it into goat’s blood, and show it to their father. They deceive Jacob into believing his favorite son has been killed by a wild animal. By God’s providence, though, he has not been killed but re-sold in Egypt (Genesis 50:20).
What lessons can we learn about the dangers of favoritism?
- Partiality causes competition, jealousy, hatred, and a lack of peace in a home, business, church, or other organization. We need to appreciate all members for who they are and how God has made them.
- The LORD exercises his providential care over those who are faithful when mistreated.
Judah’s poor decisions
In Genesis 38, the account of Judah’s life seems an interruption to the Biblical narrative; yet, it proves to show the wisdom of God’s choice of Joseph over Judah. It is not a position or leadership ability that is important to God—it is obedience.
Why does Judah leave his brothers and go to Adullam, some fifteen miles away? He may have been trying to escape the guilt of his actions towards Joseph and his father’s deception, for it was “at that time” (38:1) that Judah leaves his brothers to live there.
Judah is an example of a life caught in sin. He
- Lies and deceives.
- Runs away from his problems.
- Compromises his Jewish heritage by marrying a Canaanite woman.
- Deceives his daughter-in-law, Tamar, to protect his youngest son but is later deceived himself.
Tamar disguises herself and pretends to be a prostitute to have children because she wasn’t given Judah’s youngest son Shelah to marry, as agreed upon. Having recently lost his wife, Judah is caught by lust and deceived. His sin became an embarrassment to him.
Have any of us been caught in our sin? It is foolish to run, hide, and seek to make a new life for ourselves. Instead, if we turn to God from wickedness, he will be gracious to forgive us and help us bear the consequences.
Joseph’s integrity
While Judah is in the area of Adullam making a new life for himself, Joseph is sold as a slave in Egypt and serves the household of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials (Genesis 39). Joseph’s master likes his integrity and careful attention to his responsibilities.
Joseph also gains the attention of Potiphar’s wife! She wants to sleep with this handsome, strong young man, but he refuses. Joseph tells her,
“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, she screamed (Genesis 39:9-13, NIV).
She accused Joseph of attempted rape. For that lie, Joseph is imprisoned. Joseph must have thought, I am trying my best to be faithful to the LORD and serve my master, and yet this happens. What is God doing?
Take-Away Lessons
What can we learn from being the victim of false accusations and injustice? Life is sometimes unjust. When bad things happen to us, even when we live right and try to please God, we don’t understand. However, God is working all things for his glory and is molding us to be better Christians (Romans 8:28-29). He does deliver us, although deliverance may not come immediately. However, if we persevere through trials and are faithful when unjustly treated, God will reward us (Revelation 2:10).
What happens to Joseph? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s lesson.
End Note: The influence of Judah's wife and the wickedness of the culture where they now live may have influenced his sons to be wicked—God put two of them to death.
Discussion
What can we learn about Jacob’s favoritism for Joseph?
Judah was caught in his sins. How can we avoid a similar fate?
Even though Joseph was innocent, bad things still happened to him. What can we learn about being the victim of false accusations and injustice?
Focus Verses
Proverbs 28:13-14 (NIV)
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
You can watch a video presentation of this lesson here. Begin at 1:12:45 and end at 1:23:02
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Looking Ahead: Although Joseph suffers injustice, God directs the course of his life for his glory and Joseph's benefit. Find out more about God's Providential Care in his life and ours in the Next Lesson.
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