Read Genesis 37
Highlights:
You may weep as you read about Joseph who foreshadows Christ. Both are especially loved by their fathers, but hated by their brethren. Joseph's dreams result in him being sold into slavery. Because of the evil deceit of Potiphar's wife, Joseph is imprisoned. God could have kept Joseph out of prison; instead God accompanies (Gen. 39:2-3;21-23).
Joseph was the only one of Jacob's 12 sons who expressed an interest in spiritual things in their younger years. But Joseph was deeply troubled about his older brothers' evil conduct while they were away from home. At 17 years of age, Joseph . . . was feeding the flock with his brethren and reported to his father the evil things they were doing (Gen. 37:2). Because Joseph was the son of his old age (37:3) and the son of his favorite wife, Rachel, and possibly because of Joseph's concern for his brothers' spiritual well-being, Jacob loved him more than all his brethren (sons) (37:4).
Some people discourage exposing others' wrongdoing and some say they do not want to become involved. But Joseph possessed spiritual integrity and was willing to face abuse from his brothers for revealing their evil ways. Their hatred of him increased (37:4) when Joseph shared his prophetic dreams with them (37:5-7). His brothers scoffed, saying: Shalt thou indeed reign over us? . . . they hated him yet the more for his dreams (37:8). After this, Joseph's brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem, which was a considerable distance from their home (37:12). Some time later, Jacob, concerned about his sons' welfare, sent Joseph to check on them (37:14). After searching, Joseph found his brothers near Dothan (37:17).
They stript Joseph out of his coat . . . of many colours . . . and cast him into a pit (37:23-24). They sold Joseph as a slave to traveling Ishmaelites, who, in turn, sold him in the Egyptian slave market to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's royal guard (37:27-28,36; 39:1). Their last memories of their terrified younger brother were of him pleading for his life (42:21).
The Christian life as foreshadowed by Joseph's ordeal is illustrated in these words: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you (I Pet. 4:12).
God used the difficult experiences of Joseph in Egypt to prepare him to be the preserver of the people of God and, thus, the lineage of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Joseph's experiences are a reminder that our Lord has assured us: I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him (Ps. 91:15).
Thought for Today:
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O most High (Ps. 92:1).
Christ Portrayed:
By Joseph,who was rejected by his own brothers, sold for 20 pieces of silver to Gentiles, and unjustly imprisoned, but who eventually became their savior and a world ruler (Gen. 37:28; 41:39-40). Jesus came unto His own (people), and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God (John 1:11-12). He will return victoriously to rule the world (Rev. 19:11-16; 22:3).
Word Studies:
37:2 evil report of sinful things they were doing; 37:7 made obeisance bowed in respect; 37:11 observed wondered; 37:22 rid rescue; 37:29 rent tore his clothes as an act of grief; 37:34 sackcloth a coarse, loose cloth worn as a sign of mourning; 38:2 took carried; 38:18 signet ring bearing seal with which official documents were stamped; 38:24 whoredom prostitution; 39:14 mock disgrace.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Rita Guerra • Country: Portugal (10 million) in western Europe • Major language: Portuguese • Limited religious freedom • 95% Christian; 5% non-Religious/Other; .5% Muslim; .1% Hindu; .01% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the will of God be done in every situation you face today (Matt. 6:10).
Optional Reading: Matthew 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Deuteronomy 4:2