The biblical story of Joseph demonstrates God’s foreknowledge of things to come and His providence in moving all events, good and bad, toward fulfilling the promise of a savior. In this series of blogs about God’s promises, we have seen God’s patience and determination with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as He worked through their disobedience, doubts, and dishonesty to keep His plan on track.
Joseph, Abraham’s great-great-grandson, is the central figure in the last fourteen chapters of Genesis. How is he related to God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Since his story is so complex and interesting, we might not readily see it as crucial in God’s plan for a redeemer.
Let’s keep these facts in mind; God knows what He’s doing, He knows the future, and His plan will succeed! While biblical characters play out the drama we see in these wonderful stories, God is the central Figure behind the action moving everything toward completing His plan. God keeps His promises!
Before we continue Joseph’s story in Genesis 37:12-36, let’s remember the context of what is about to take place. Jacob has settled in Hebron with his family and large flocks. He is a shepherd and most of the shepherding work is assigned to ten of his sons. Jacob has made no secret that he favors Joseph, and has given him a special robe to symbolize his prominence in his heart. In addition, Joseph has a couple of dreams that predict his future rule over his brothers, and their hatred deepens when he gladly tells them his dreams.
As we pick up the story in Genesis 37:12, Joseph is home with his father while the brothers are supposed to be near Shechem, about ninety miles away, taking care of Jacob’s flocks. (Why was Joseph not with his brothers? Was he getting special treatment?) For some reason, Jacob feels the need to check on the sons and tells Joseph to go to Shechem, find them, and report to him. (v.14). Since there were no phones, telegraphs, or mail service to check on the sons, Joseph would need to travel about a week to find his brothers.
Instead of wearing a “work” robe for the trip, Joseph decided to travel in style. Did he do this to irritate his brothers, to “rub it in” that he was their father’s chosen one? Joseph eventually located his brothers several miles beyond Shechem in Dothan. Was the robe the reason the brothers identified him at a distance? While he came toward them the plot was made,
” ‘Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.'” “‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.'” Genesis 37:19-20
The murderous plot was quelled when Reuben, the oldest son, insisted on throwing him in an empty cistern. Reuben’s motive seems to have been to save Joseph so he could gain favor with Jacob. The brothers relented, but can you imagine the scene when Joseph arrives? There were no loving embraces by the older siblings, instead, they handled him roughly, stripped the ornate robe, and “threw” him into an empty pit.
What happens next? Reuben leaves, assuming his plan for Joseph will work, but as they are having lunch the brothers see a trading caravan coming their way. Judah convinces his brothers to get rid of Joseph and make some money; let’s sell Joseph to the traders. ” Let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” Genesis 37:27
The deal was made. Joseph was sold for thirty pieces of silver and headed to Egypt; they would never be bothered with him again or so they thought.
Rueben’s plan is crushed, and he is distraught. “Now what will we do”? The robe Jacob had given Joseph provided the answer. They plotted together to take his blood-soaked garment back to their father and allow him to decide what had become of Joseph.
The brothers thought they had seen the last of Joseph but God had other plans. They believed they would never hear his voice again but God had special plans for the Dreamer.
We will continue the adventure of how God will use Joseph and life’s “ups and downs” to accomplish His plan over the next several weeks. In the meantime, I want to show you several books on my website. Thanks for taking a look https://www.cosdavis.com/books/ .