Genesis 37:1-11, Thoughts from Genesis (8)

·       Gen. 34:2: This is what princes can do: use their authority to oppress people.

·       Gen. 34:19: Interesting, that Shechem, who raped Dinah, was the most honorable person in the royal house.

·       Gen. 34:30: Again, Jacob ruled by fear.  But God said … I will give you all the land you can see, north, east, south, west.  Jacob needs to return to Bethel (35:1).

·       Gen. 35:1: Bethel is significant for Jacob.  See 2 posts on this (June 25-26, 21).  Bethel is south of Shechem by about twenty miles.

·       Gen. 36:6-8: Esau had a possession.  He didn’t have to wait, like Jacob, who did not have actual possession of the land when he died.  (Although, by faith, Jacob had the substance of what he hoped for, Heb. 11:1).  On the other hand, Esau would lose his possession, although it seems Edom has a presence in the Millennium, but, as predicted (Gen. 27:39-40), Edom will be under the dominion of Jacob.  God’s promise to Jacob is unconditional.

·       Gen. 36:35: Husham is king of Edom (a descendant of Terah-Abraham-Isaac, 25:27-28).  He fights Midian (a descendant of Terah-Abraham by Keturah, 25:1-2).  They fight in the field of Moab (a descendant of Terah-Haran-Lot by one of his daughters, 19:36-38).  Just an example of life in those days.

·       Gen. 37:1; 47:9: Hebrews says the Patriarchs saw themselves as pilgrims and strangers in the land.  This is where that comes from.

·       Gen. 37:11: The brothers envied Joseph.  But Jacob, while doubtful, took the dreams as possibilities.  At least by this time we can say that Jacob is aware of God’s work, and that he cannot rule out God’s plan being at work in Joseph.

·       Gen. 37:13-14: From the day Jacob first met Rachel (29:1-8) we know Jacob to be good and very particular with sheep. 

·       Gen. 37:28: The brothers will play a significant role in the fulfillment of the dreams.  So do Ishmaelites/Midianites and Egyptians.  God is in control.  Fully!

·       Gen. 38: It’s important that this part of Genesis is a story about Judah as well as Joseph.  For both, one major lesson is, “all things in God’s time.”

·       Gen. 38:26: See the studies on “justification” in the OT, taken from this verse.  (July 12-16, 2021).

·       Gen. 39: This chapter is a wonderful one for young men to read and reread and to commit to memory.  We need God’s grace, by the Holy Spirit, to live righteous lives.  This chapter shows us what righteousness is in the work setting.