By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Accept It
Genesis 37:5–11, 19–27
Rule Over Us? (5–11)
The story of Joseph is by far the longest and most masterful narrative in Genesis, if not the entire Bible. As the story begins God providentially brings about Joseph’s rejection so that Joseph might ultimately be used to deliver his people. God choreographed Joseph’s rejection in two ways: first by his father favoring Joseph over his brothers, and second by God giving Joseph a vision of his own future exaltation. Human sin and divine revelation combined to produce a hatred and rejection that ultimately created a way of salvation.
Favoritism had become a generational sin in Jacob’s family. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau. Jacob loved Rachel and her children more than Leah and her children. Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons. Just the sight of Joseph wearing the special robe from his father ignited his brothers’ hatred.
To add fuel to the fire God revealed in two dreams to Joseph that his family would bow before him and he would rule over them. When Joseph told his brothers about the first dream they hated him even more. When Joseph told his parents and brothers about the second dream Jacob rebuked him. Jacob could not conceive a future without him being the head of the tribe. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because of their father’s favoritism and his divine dreams. As a result they no longer considered Joseph a brother but rather an enemy.
What Happens to Your Dreams Now? (19–24)
Joseph obeyed his father and went to check on his brothers as they were caring for the flock. As Joseph approached Dothan his brothers spotted him. The sight of him 64 miles from home, away from his father’s protection, inflamed his brothers’ hatred of him. They planned to kill Joseph and throw his murdered body into a cistern unburied, the supreme dishonor. But Reuben, Jacob’s oldest son, intervened. Reuben’s command in verse 22 is in the second-person plural: “You all shed no blood.” Reuben’s command to cast Joseph into the cistern unharmed was a ploy so that he could return later and rescue him.
When Joseph arrived they stripped him of his robe. The same wording is used in Leviticus 1:6 to describe the skinning of an animal. Like a bunch of wild animals his brothers jumped Joseph and ripped the robe from him. They dumped him into a cistern so deep that he could not climb out. They left him to die. With Joseph out of the picture they would never have to bow before him and serve him. This dreamer’s dreams would never come to pass.
What Do We Gain? (25–27)
Joseph’s brothers sat down to eat. They calmly ate while they listened to Joseph’s pleas for mercy. His cries for mercy would echo in their souls over the years. Their plan was to eat, move on and leave Joseph to die. But the hidden hand of providence countered their scheme as a caravan unexpectedly appeared.
The Ishmaelite traders were made up of descendants of Abraham through Hagar and Midianites (Gen. 25:1–2) who were residents of the Arabah with whom the Ishmaelites had intermarried. The point is that both groups were outside the covenant. Joseph was sold to non-covenant people. Judah recommended selling Joseph to the Midianites for 20 shekels of silver. While Judah and his brothers were motivated by jealousy and hate, God was at work delivering Joseph for a greater purpose.
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