JOSEPH'S COAT
37 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
vs 1 Jacob was in God's will by living in the land of Canaan.
vs 2 Joseph is now 17 years old, and is working with his half brothers. He could be seen as a tattle tale, but I think he was loyal to Jacob, and didn't think what they were doing was in Jacobs best interest. In the account of Shechem, we saw what they were capable of.
vs 3 Whatever this coat looked like, it was a symbol of Jacobs placing Joseph as the greatest of the sons. He was the only son of his beloved Rachel. He was most likely very good looking, and he is trusted by Jacob. All of these add up to trouble with siblings.
vs 4 In a sense Joseph has usurped the authority of age among siblings. In many families the oldest children have authority over the younger, and even if they don't, they may perceive that they do. When the younger refutes that authority and the father or mother enforce the younger authority over the older, contempt and rebellion may result. This can then color all interactions with the younger sibling.
vs 2 Joseph is now 17 years old, and is working with his half brothers. He could be seen as a tattle tale, but I think he was loyal to Jacob, and didn't think what they were doing was in Jacobs best interest. In the account of Shechem, we saw what they were capable of.
vs 3 Whatever this coat looked like, it was a symbol of Jacobs placing Joseph as the greatest of the sons. He was the only son of his beloved Rachel. He was most likely very good looking, and he is trusted by Jacob. All of these add up to trouble with siblings.
vs 4 In a sense Joseph has usurped the authority of age among siblings. In many families the oldest children have authority over the younger, and even if they don't, they may perceive that they do. When the younger refutes that authority and the father or mother enforce the younger authority over the older, contempt and rebellion may result. This can then color all interactions with the younger sibling.
JOSEPH'S FIRST DREAM
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 7 for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
vs 5 Joseph means "added". Jacob and Rachel saw Joseph as a blessing from God, and the brothers saw him as a rival. Now Joseph has received a dream from God and this just intensifies their hatred of him. He is already the favorite son of their father, now it seems God has favored him also. God works in mysterious ways, none of them have any idea of all that will take place before this prophetic dream will be fulfilled.
vs 6 Joseph tells his brothers to listen up.
vs 7 This dream is one that is self explanatory. All of his brothers will be subject and reliant on his power and authority. Other words to describe obeisance are; homage, respect, reverence, and worship.
vs 8 The brothers refuse to believe that this young man will be in a position of power over them, or that they could ever be in a position that they would have to recognize his position of authority over them.
vs 6 Joseph tells his brothers to listen up.
vs 7 This dream is one that is self explanatory. All of his brothers will be subject and reliant on his power and authority. Other words to describe obeisance are; homage, respect, reverence, and worship.
vs 8 The brothers refuse to believe that this young man will be in a position of power over them, or that they could ever be in a position that they would have to recognize his position of authority over them.
JOSEPH'S SECOND DREAM
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
vs 9 This dream is also self explanatory. The second dream only further underscores the hatred of the brothers. The difference between the two dreams is that Josephs parents will also be subject to him.
vs 10 Jacob sees how this is affecting his family and also cannot understand how this will come to pass.
vs 11 Interestingly Jacob ponders what his son has dreamed and what it could mean. He himself has had dreams from God and understands the importance of dreams. However this is creating strife in his family.
vs 10 Jacob sees how this is affecting his family and also cannot understand how this will come to pass.
vs 11 Interestingly Jacob ponders what his son has dreamed and what it could mean. He himself has had dreams from God and understands the importance of dreams. However this is creating strife in his family.
GO CHECK ON YOUR BROTHERS
12 And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. 13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. 14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? 16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks. 17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. 18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
vs 15 16 God provided a messenger to Joseph so that he could fulfill Gods plan.
vs 17 The brothers had been in Shechem, but moved up about 15 miles to Dothan. without this unnamed man to tell him where they went, he may have gone home.
vs 18 Satan would have us think that by doing evil we will accomplish our goals. At this point the brothers hate to see Joseph. If he would just die then our lives would be so much better. Without considering the consequences of their actions on their father. They conspired together. With the support of each other they deem this a good plan. Not any single brother would have to take responsibility.
vs 19 The derogatory phrase "this dreamer" supports their view that he is the problem and not the legitimacy of the dream. They are all bigger and older, why should they have to care about this usurper. Satan has a plan and willing participants to carry it out. His plans will be thwarted once again in a way that he cannot anticipate.
vs 20 The pit is most likely a dry cistern. The plan is divulged in full and they will lie about what happened. This should put an end to the dreams of this dreamer. Sounds familiar. Kill the messenger of God and Gods will, will be stopped.
vs 21 22 Rueben possibly has other motives for saving Joseph. Nonetheless it is his words that preserve the life of Joseph. Had he not lost the first born position in the family by sleeping with one of Jacobs concubines, Joseph may not have had anyone to speak for his life. Rueben reminds the brothers that to kill Joseph will require the shedding of blood. They would all have the blood of their brother on their hands. Rueben had planned to rescue Joseph and return him to Jacob.
vs 17 The brothers had been in Shechem, but moved up about 15 miles to Dothan. without this unnamed man to tell him where they went, he may have gone home.
vs 18 Satan would have us think that by doing evil we will accomplish our goals. At this point the brothers hate to see Joseph. If he would just die then our lives would be so much better. Without considering the consequences of their actions on their father. They conspired together. With the support of each other they deem this a good plan. Not any single brother would have to take responsibility.
vs 19 The derogatory phrase "this dreamer" supports their view that he is the problem and not the legitimacy of the dream. They are all bigger and older, why should they have to care about this usurper. Satan has a plan and willing participants to carry it out. His plans will be thwarted once again in a way that he cannot anticipate.
vs 20 The pit is most likely a dry cistern. The plan is divulged in full and they will lie about what happened. This should put an end to the dreams of this dreamer. Sounds familiar. Kill the messenger of God and Gods will, will be stopped.
vs 21 22 Rueben possibly has other motives for saving Joseph. Nonetheless it is his words that preserve the life of Joseph. Had he not lost the first born position in the family by sleeping with one of Jacobs concubines, Joseph may not have had anyone to speak for his life. Rueben reminds the brothers that to kill Joseph will require the shedding of blood. They would all have the blood of their brother on their hands. Rueben had planned to rescue Joseph and return him to Jacob.
JOSEPH IN THE WELL
23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 and they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. 26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
vs 23 The brothers took the symbol of Jacobs love for Joseph.
vs 24 Most likely a dry cistern.
vs 25
vs 24 Most likely a dry cistern.
vs 25
JACOB DECEIVED ABOUT JOSEPHS DEATH
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. 30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? 31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; 32 and they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no. 33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. 34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. 36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.