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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Genesis 37:19–20
“‘Here comes the 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.’”
By now Isaac had died.
Jacob (Israel) was the head of the Tribe and successor of the covenant. We get a small glimpse of how God had blessed Esau and his descendants (see Genesis 36) and now the spotlight is focused on one of the most amazing characters of the Old Testament, Joseph – Rachel’s first born.
Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn (through Leah), appears to have despised and lost his birthright and Joseph shows his appropriateness to receive it. The interesting thing for me is, however, that the Saviour’s line is from Judah (also through Leah, not Rachel).
He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and yet Judah was the one who sold Joseph into slavery (v 26–27). Also, as we read in Chapter 38, Judah had intercourse with his widowed daughter-in-law (whom he thought was and treated like a prostitute), which produced Perez who was the ‘next in line’.
I also find it interesting to see certain events repeat themselves.
Both Abraham and Isaac went into the land of the Philistines and conned Abimelech that their respective wives were their sisters.
Isaac had a twin and the older served the younger. Joseph had two sons and the younger was blessed greater than the older (see Chapter 48).
Isaac had a favourite son, which led to disastrous consequences. Jacob had a favourite son – Joseph, whom we see also led to disastrous consequences.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph were all dreamers.
Turning to our chapter, it begins with Joseph telling tales at 17 to Jacob about his brothers. Surely he should have got over that by 17. Then we see Jacob giving his favourite son a flamboyant, multi-coloured coat. That was sure to make his brothers hate him even more.
If that wasn't bad enough, Joseph then ‘shared’ his dream with his brothers. It’s one thing to have a dream but if it is to someone else’s detriment, it is probably better to keep it to yourself, rather than tell them.
Then to cap it all, Jacob sent Joseph away from the security of home and into the total vulnerability of the wide-open spaces and his brooding envious brothers. And you’ve guessed it – wearing none other than the ‘red-rag-to-a-bull’ techno-coloured dreamcoat. That announced his arrival well before he even got near.
To be fair to Reuben, it does seem he tried to do something to protect Joseph but in stepped Judah and some Ishmaelites (sons of Abraham through Hagar.) to thwart his plan.
So Joseph was sold as a slave for 20 pieces of silver. Whilst his brothers didn’t physically kill Joseph, they might as well have done so. They had conveniently got rid of him, and then they tried to prove his death to Jacob by dipping the coat, which they had kept, in the blood of a wild animal. Jacob began to die inside as a result.
There’s a lot in this chapter, isn’t there? As we’ve seen before, not everyone appreciates his or her birthright.
We become challenged again about our own relationship with Jesus. Do we just accept it and carry on as if it doesn’t exist or do we develop it by spending time with Him, studying His Word and ways and putting them into practice. How much of a priority are Jesus and His Kingdom to you?
Do you get jealous of others and their gifting or ministry? Joseph’s brothers were jealous and look what happened. Bitterness, envy and evil took over. Never forget jealousy and envy are moral choices for which we are responsible.
Remember too, if God gives you a dream or a vision, be discerning who you share it with. It also doesn’t mean that everyone will jump for joy when you share it. Or that everything will turn out wonderfully afterwards.
Hold onto the vision and let God bring it to pass.
After all, didn’t He bring the Ishmaelites along just in time?
Don’t try and force it like Abram, Sarai & Hagar. Be like Joseph; go with the flow of God.
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