Episode 307 - "Joseph is sold into slavery" - Genesis 37:12-36

Gen. 37:12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16 “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

Gen. 37:18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Gen. 37:25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Gen. 37:29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes 30 and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” 31 Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” 33 And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Well, after what we read last week about Joseph, the events that unfold here are not too surprising, are they? Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph had given a bad report to Jacob about his brother’s activities, which upset them. But then he shared with them dreams he had that everyone interpreted to mean that Joseph would someday rule over all of them. It appears to be this last matter that is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Their plot to kill Joseph appears to stem from their resentment over these dreams. They said, “We will see what will become of his dreams” (v. 20)

This part of the story begins with Joseph leaving home under the auspices of his dad wanting to find out if everything is well with his other sons who were shepherding the flock. It’s interesting that Joseph wasn’t with them. Did they exclude him? Perhaps either Jacob or Joseph did not want Joseph along with his brothers, knowing the animosity they had toward him. Whatever the reason, Jacob believes that they were shepherding near Shechem, about 50 miles north of his home. This seems a reasonable fact because these animals can destroy the grasses in an area if they are left in one place too long. They had to keep moving. In fact, when Joseph got to Shechem, he was informed that they had moved an additional 15 miles further north. I suspect this great distance between Jacob and his sons lends itself to Jacob’s belief that a wild beast had killed Joseph. He had to have been gone at least a few days, covering so much ground.

Two things this story reveals to the readers are, first, character development of some of Joseph’s brothers, and second, the beginning of an explanation of how Israel ends up in a foreign land, an element of what the LORD had revealed to Abraham about the descendants he was going to give Abraham.

When the brothers see Joseph approaching, their hatred is provoked and they conspired to kill him. But Reuben interceded and suggested they only throw Joseph into a cistern and not kill him. The narrator tells the reader that he planned to later rescue Joseph. What motivated Reuben to have this measure of compassion? Was he hoping to earn back favor from his father after having slept with his dad’s concubine? Reuben was the oldest. Perhaps he felt the weight of the responsibility for Joseph’s well-being. He must have gone away after having convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph, because we learn that he is surprised and dismayed when he finds out Joseph is no longer in the pit.

While Reuben was away and Joseph was still in the pit (cistern), the fourth-oldest son, Judah, had the idea of selling Joseph. While he appears to have a little bit of compassion or conscience in suggesting they not kill one of their own family members, his priority is making money by getting rid of this “dreamer.” In Judah’s mind, this was a win-win proposition. The brothers who were there agreed, and Joseph was sold as a slave to Ishmaelite traders who, in turn, sold Joseph to Potiphar, the captain of the guard to Pharaoh in Egypt. All that was left was for the brothers to cover their actions to their father, which they accomplished by taking the coat Jacob had given Joseph and making it look as though a wild animal had attacked Joseph. It worked.

So, what do we make of this story? How does it fit with what we already know? Well, first of all, we have the advantage of knowing that Moses is credited with authoring the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. We’ve read that the LORD promised Abraham that someday his descendants would be in bondage in a foreign land, but that He would deliver them out of that bondage and bring them back to the land the LORD was giving to Abraham and his descendants. We know from the book of Exodus, which follows Genesis, that Moses is God’s prophet who leads the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Ah! This provides an introduction to how they arrived in Egypt in the first place. Joseph was not killed. So, we’re expecting something to happen to him that will be significant to the story. We also know that Jacob’s brothers have demonstrated themselves to be unworthy to be “the seed” who would crush the serpent's heads. The oldest four, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, have all been scoundrels so far. It seems to me that, despite the evil intentions and actions of these sons of Jacob, the LORD is in control.

Perhaps I’m reading into the text too much on this next point. But doesn’t it seem odd in this story that as Joseph journeyed to find his brothers, “a man found him” and “asked him, ‘What are you seeking?’” (v. 15) When Joseph informs him that he’s looking for his brothers, the man seems to know exactly who he’s looking for. Were Joseph’s brothers the only ones shepherding in that area? I doubt it. Perhaps the conversation was much more extensive, leading to that deduction. However, it seems to me that Moses included this detail to suggest that the LORD was watching over Joseph the whole time, and the reader is to anticipate that the LORD is watching over him in Egypt as well.

Episode240 - "Sin's desire is to dominate you" - Genesis 4:1-7

Gen. 4:1 Now the man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Then she said, “I have created a man just as the LORD did!” 2 Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground.

Gen. 4:3 At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock—even the fattest of them. And the LORD was pleased with Abel and his offering, 5 but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast.

Gen. 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? 7 Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.” (NET Bible)

I have chosen to use the New English Translation (NET Bible) instead of the ESV for this study due to its translation of Eve’s statement in verse one concerning the birth of her first son. The NET Bible reads, “I have created a man just as the LORD did,” whereas the ESV Bible translates her words as “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” Scholars are divided on exactly how to translate this. Both translations have their proponents.

My choice is based on two things. First of all, I happen to know many of the translators of the NET Bible and trust their knowledge and judgment. Secondly, this translation feels more likely or natural to me than that represented in the ESV. I take it as an exclamation of amazement. Think about it. Unless the Bible is intentionally not mentioning other children already born to Adam and Eve, Cain is the first human born. We have no idea whether they’ve witnessed even the birth of an animal. It seems to me that she is amazed and even joyful that she has accomplished something so significant. Regardless of which translation better represents the original language, I think Eve’s response reflects God’s grace to her. Even though they have messed up, God is still using them to fulfill the roles and responsibilities he gave them. They are being fruitful and are multiplying. I think the LORD is like that with us. Even though we aren’t always obedient, God does not abandon us or cease to have a purpose for us.

After the announcement of Cain’s birth. The author quickly informs us that his brother Abel is born and then we are given the career paths of both brothers. Abel became a shepherd, and Cain became a farmer. From these few details, it would seem that both sons are doing something related to what the LORD had assigned to Adam. Abel is responsible over some animals, and Cain is toiling by working the ground for crops. It doesn’t appear there is any indication of wrong-doing by either one.

In verse three, we are told that “in the designated time,” both men brought a sacrifice to the LORD. Each brought a sacrifice from their respective jobs. We are not told what the designated time was or how they came to know that. In fact, we are not told how Adam and Eve or their children knew they should bring an offering to the LORD.

Some, including myself, have assumed a connection between the LORD making garments of animal skin with Abel’s offering of an animal sacrifice. This view could explain why the LORD approved of Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s. However, I would admit today that is quite an interpretive stretch and shouldn’t be considered too seriously. What is safer and a more likely reason for why the LORD accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s offering is found right in the text. Notice that of Cain’s offering, it is recorded that he brought “some fruit.” (v. 3) This is followed by, “But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock—even the fattest of them.” (v. 4) What this is showing us are the attitudes or motives and offerings that corresponded to their attitude in bringing these offerings. Abel brought the first and best of what he had to offer. Cain brought “some” of what he had. Here is another principle for us. What kind of attitude do we have in bringing our offerings to the LORD?

If Cain’s attitude was not ideal when he brought the offering, it only got worse when the LORD did not receive his offering but accepted his brother’s. The text tells us he got angry. He was angry that the LORD did not accept his worship on his own terms. As I reflect upon this, I’m reminded of Jesus’ dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well. In response to her question about the right location of worship, Jesus informed her, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) We need to be reminded that it’s not just about a desire or having the right emotion. We need to worship in truth as well.

We find in verse 6 that the LORD approached Cain in a manner similar to how he approached Adam after his sin. He invites Cain to explain his attitude problem. Then, in his patience and mercy, he suggested a solution followed by a warning if he didn’t heed the advice. He used the imagery of a beast or cat that is crouching to attack its unsuspecting prey. The LORD cautioned, “if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.” Here is probably the most important lesson in this text. Sin has a desire to dominate us, and we must subdue it. The apostle Paul gives us advice on how to do that in Romans 8. To summarize, by means of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us through faith in Christ, we “put to death the deeds of the flesh.” The Holy Spirit is with us to remind us of God’s love for us through Christ, to grant us wisdom, to teach and caution us in our walk of faith and to convict us when we let sin dominate us.

Well . . . we’re not yet done with the story of these two brothers. Who’d have thought there would be so much we could learn from some of the first people in the history of the world?

Episode 174 - "God gives the growth" - 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

1Cor. 3:1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

1Cor. 3:5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Someone close to me had made a mess of his life through substance abuse. When we connected again sometime after I’d started seminary, he wanted to talk to me about my own spiritual journey. It became apparent that some of his “friends” who’d lived a similar lifestyle had a “religious experience,” and their lives radically changed. This person wanted that same kind of experience. He wanted a quick fix to his own life. While this does sometimes happen that people make rapid, drastic changes in their life, this is not normal. Paul uses the imagery of natural human growth for spiritual growth. You start out as a baby, and you grow over time.

Jesus’ disciples were with him for approximately three years and still struggled with their faith in Jesus. Even after the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost and we see their courage and faith shine at times, Peter, “the rock,” was sometimes more like quicksand that shifted easily. (See Galatians 2:11-13)

The believers in Corinth are no different. While Paul commended them for their faith in the opening verses of chapter 1, saying that they had every spiritual gift, it becomes quickly clear that Paul is not saying that they are the epitome of righteous living. They’ve got a lot of growing up to do in their faith. This is the reason he is writing this letter. He calls them out on their need to grow up and become more mature in their faith. He likens them to children who have not matured to the point where they can eat solid foods. This is quite direct. But it’s important they get this.

What is the fundamental issue that reveals their spiritual immaturity? His answer is “jealousy and strife.” (v. 3) This explains what is going on with the competition between them of who was identifying with Paul, Apollos, or someone else. They could not and would not put away these silly arguments to be unified in Christ and seek to build up others instead of alienating and insulting them. Paul has said they haven’t matured at all since he was with them, and he says now at the end of verse 3, “are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” From my understanding of the Greek text, Paul is rhetorically asking them, “Aren’t you just being worldly like the rest of humanity?” The expectation is that Christians should (ultimately) think, act, and speak differently than most people around us.

Paul then exposes the problem with the basis of their arguments. He asks, “What is Apollos? What is Paul?” The point is, do they really think these men are anything greater than other men? Paul answers his own question. He says, “We are servants who brought you a message from the Lord as the Lord has directed each one of us.” (My paraphrase v. 5) Paul continues by explaining the limitations of each one. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (v. 6)

There is a memory verse for you. That is a truth that every one of us can easily remember and, with great difficulty, can put into regular practice. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking too highly of ourselves. Rather, we need to remember the Lord has an assignment for each of us, just like he did Paul and Apollos, and we cannot think of ourselves more highly than anyone else because we are human. It’s God who does the real work. We are just messengers and servants. But God chooses to use us in his wonderful plan.

Paul repeats in verse 7 that it’s “God who gives the growth.” Then, in verse 8 Paul says, “each will receive his wages according to his labor.” There is some promise of reward for our service in ministry.

Finally, in verse 9, Paul says, “We are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” Don’t miss what Paul is doing here. He’s bringing his indictment on their spiritual immaturity to the light of God’s purpose for them. He’s saying, “God is working on you. He wants to build you up. You’ve got to stop living like the world and let God do his work in your life.”

Prayer: Father in Heaven - We ask that you shine the light on the issues in our life that are inhibiting our growing up in the faith as you so purpose.

Episode 83 - Stopping at nothing to stop Jesus - John 12:9-11

John 12:9   When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The scene is the dinner in Jesus’ honor for having raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days, and Jesus called him back to life. This is not according to one person’s story, but the testimony of many witnesses who knew that Lazarus had indeed died, was buried, and that Jesus had called him by name while he was in the tomb and that Lazarus came out alive. 

At this dinner, John records that Jesus is speaking of his own imminent death because he tells Judas Iscariot (his disciple who would soon betray him) not to bother Mary regarding the expensive ointment she used to anoint Jesus’ feet because she would also use it for his burial. 

We’ve already learned that when the Jewish leaders, including the high priest, learned of this miracle, they conspired to have Jesus killed. Many who had witnessed this miracle believed in Jesus, which made the leaders uncomfortable.

In this section, John adds some more detail. Obviously, the news about this miracle is spreading, and people are going out to the location of this dinner to see Jesus (the miracle worker) and Lazarus (the miracle). You can imagine how this must have looked like a circus sideshow. People wanted to see a man who had died and come back to life and the one who made it possible. John mentions again that many people were going away and believing in Jesus “on account of” Lazarus. 

This fact led the high priest and leaders to expand their plan to also kill Lazarus. In earlier attempts to arrest or stone Jesus to death, the leaders had justification for their actions based upon their own reasoning that Jesus had violated the Sabbath or had made himself equal with God. But, how could they justify this murder when Lazarus had not done either. They couldn’t. But, they are so consumed with their jealousy they don’t recognize or care about the problem with this plan. They will stop at nothing to hinder the work and mission of Christ.

My question to you in light of this fact is, “Why should we expect people to act any differently today than they did then?” We should expect people to stop at nothing to impede or stop anything we are doing for the purpose of the Lord.