GOD S CHOSEN FAMILY. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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1 GOD S CHOSEN FAMILY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Jacob s Son Joseph (Genesis 37 50) God s Choice to Save the Children of Abraham LESSON # 4 BIBLE REFERENCE: Genesis 29; 30; 31; 33:1, 2, 7; 35:16-26; 46:19, 22, 25; 48:7; Ruth 4:11; 1 Samuel 10:2; Jeremiah 31:15;Matthew 2:18 BOOK OF STUDY: GENESIS Season of Study: Season of Bringing the Savior into the world HISTORY: Written by Moses. Traditionally, Moses has been held to be the author of Genesis over the centuries. A number of inferential evidences favor this conclusion. 3 It would appear from a number of passages (e.g., Exodus 17:14; 24:4; 34:27; Leviticus 1:1; 4:1; 6:1,8,19,24; 7:22,28, etc.) that Moses wrote the other books of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). It would indeed be unusual for the first word of Exodus to be and unless Moses wrote it as well. In the New Testament, our Lord seemingly attributes the Pentateuch to Moses (Matt 8:4; 19:7,8; Mark 1:44; 7:10; 10:3,4; Luke 5:14; 16:29,31; John 5:45,46; 7:22,23). Other New Testament writers follow this same approach (Acts 3:22, 1

2 13:39; Rom 10:5,19; I Cor 9:9; II Cor 3:15). It is therefore hard not to conclude that Moses wrote all the Pentateuch, in spite of no one air-tight statement to this effect. CONNECTING THE SEASONS: When studying the book of (Genesis, chapters 12-50) we are studying the Season of Bringing the Savior into the world. Having made the promise to mankind in the Garden of Eden that He would send a Savior (Genesis 3:15), God initiates His plan in the call of the man Abram; whose name was later changed to Abraham. From this man, God would grow a nation of people who would bring His Only Begotten Son into the world. From the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus coming into the world; being crucified, buried, and resurrected has come the promise of the Rapture and Return of Jesus. INTRODUCTION Jacob upon returning to the home of his father Isaac, after a twenty (20) years sojourn in the land of Pandanaram, settles in Canaan. Canaan being the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Chapter thirty-seven (37) in the book of Genesis moves the family of Jacob in a new direction. Emphasis shift from Jacob himself to his son Joseph, elder son of Jacob s wife Rachel. God has the writer to narrow the study of the twelve (12) sons of Jacob to Joseph. Joseph stands in the forefront of all that happens from this point forward to the children of Israel; Israel being Jacobs s name given him by God, upon Jacob return to Canaan after a night of wrestling with a man/angel. To the end of the book of Genesis God moves in the life of Joseph, using and positioning Joseph to be the deliverer of the children of Israel from the destructive famine ravaging the land of Canaan. There was a famine in Canaan, but there was corn in Egypt, and God so moved as to place Joseph in Egypt to be the overseer and the distributor of the grain supply, from where the sons of Jacob had to go seeking relief of their families from certain 2

3 starvation. The love that Jacob held for Rachel reaches into the life of her first-born son Joseph. The scripture specifies the love shown Joseph by his father was because Joseph was the son of his old age. We reiterate that the love Jacob held for Rachel was divine, and God rewarded that love, using his son (Joseph) not to be the savior of the world, but to be the savior of the family of Israel, through whom the Savior of the world would come. The love Jacob had for Rachel, and her elder son did much to develop the character and personally of Joseph. The next four (4) lessons we will study the life and the impact of Joseph s life in the history of the children of Israel, and God bringing His Son, Our Savior into the world. THE PRINTED TEXT (Genesis 37: 2 5; 18 24; 39: 7 16; 40: 9 14, 23)) 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. 5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. ************************************************************ 18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 3

4 21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. ************************************************************* 9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: 11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. 12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: 13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. 14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 4

5 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. EXPLORING THE TEXT: I. Joseph s Favor (Genesis 37: 1 5; 39: 2-3) In chapter thirty-seven (37) of Genesis we are introduced to Joseph, son of Rachel and Jacob. After suffering a period of barrenness, and having blamed her husband for her condition, Rachel s barrenness is lifted by God and Rachel is blessed to have her first son, that she named Joseph. The text reads: And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son (Genesis 30:22 24). 5

6 This respond of Rachel to the birth of her first son was prophetic, for Rachel would give birth to another son, Benjamin. However, it was Joseph upon whom God Almighty would pour out His favors. a. Favorite of His Earthly Father In the story of Joseph we learn early that Joseph was the favorite son of all Jacob s children. Jacob must have been over joyed at the birth of Rachel s first child. This joy came, because of his love for Rachel, and of her furious attack against him for her not having children, and now God had removed her barrenness. The text says, Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. Jacob played favoritism in dealing with his family. He seems to have made no effort to hide his choosing Joseph as his favorite child. Jacob demonstrated this favoritism in his provisions for his children. He singled Joseph out by making Joseph a coat of many colors. How this favoritism affected Joseph and helped develop his personality is not known; and yet we must believe that it moved Joseph personality wise in a certain direction. There is no question as to how this favoritism affected the other members of the family. The text says, when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. The text suggest that Jacob s favoritism did not affect Joseph negatively; causing him to become self-conceited, and to think of himself more highly than he should have thought. The birthed nature of Joseph seems to have modified his awareness of himself, and even with a father s favoritism Joseph never became boisterous or a braggard. It is recorded that Joseph was blessed with divine dreams; they came from God regarding his future, however, Joseph is not recorded as having used these divine dreams to declare a privileged status. Joseph simply repeated 6

7 the dreams to his family, to which his family, including his father took offense. The text says, 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed. These dreams would prove true by the ending of Joseph s life. Joseph remained God centered even with living in the atmosphere of a father who favored him in every way. b. Favored by His Eternal Father Joseph experienced favoritism from his earthly father; however, Joseph received favor from his eternal Father, the Almighty God. The texts read, And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Favoritism is unconditional. Favoritism is born of selfishness. To be the object of favoritism one must do nothing, for favoritism is a choice made from selfishness. Joseph was the object of Jacob s favoritism because Jacob found glory, and some sense of status by having a child in his old age. This required nothing from Joseph. However, the favor of God experienced by Joseph came because of the nature of Joseph. God s favor is a reward for a Godly nature in this young man. God expressed His favor for Joseph by providing heavenly opportunity in the face of human obstacles. Every door that closed in Joseph s life, was a door closed by the selfishness of men; from the wishes of his brothers to the deceitfulness of Potiphar s wife. However, doors closed by human will; were divinely opened leading Joseph to become prosperous, and a deliverer of his earthly family. Joseph would be the means whereby the family of Jacob was delivered from extinction by famine. II. Joseph s Foe (Genesis 37: 18 24; 40:9 13) The attention shown Joseph by his father was sure to raise envy and jealousy from the other children. Therefore, we must consider not only the favor of Joseph, we must also consider the foes of Joseph. The foes of Joseph fall into two (2) categories; Family enemies, and Friendship that were empty. 7

8 a. Family enemies Sibling rivalry has existed from the beginning of time; from Cain and Abel even until now. However, in the life of Joseph we see this rivalry rising to a murderous level. Joseph s brothers hated him. The hatred is fostered or given birth from the action and behavior of their father Jacob s favoritism. The text declares, And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. 5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. His brother s hatred drove them to divisive a plot to take Joseph s life. Joseph sent on a mission by his father Jacob to check on the welfare of his brothers while they cared for the flock; upon seeing him approaching from a distance, they contrived to kill him. However, Reuben, the older of the brothers begged that his life be spared, and rather that they sell him into slavery. For safe keeping, they threw Joseph into a pit; removing his coat of many colors, and soaking it in the blood of a lamb as a means of convincing their father Jacob, Joseph was slain by a wild beast. Judah, the son who was chosen by God, to be the father of the family line through whom the promised Messiah would come; in the absence of the brethren retrieved Joseph from the pit, and sold him to a caravan of Midianites traveling into Egypt, thus saving the life of Joseph; and indirectly saving Israel. b. Friendships that were empty An individual s foe while dangerous when close to us in family, is just as threatening when friendship is treated with indifference. When the friendship does not make a difference to those we embrace as friends, it is emotionally painful, and mentally damaging. While in Egypt Joseph is jailed because of the false accusation of Potiphar s wife. Joseph is accused of accosting her in the house of Potiphar, and upon Potiphar s learning of this, he has Joseph immediately thrown into prison. While imprisoned Joseph befriends a butler having been employed by the Pharaoh, who under false accusation in his employment also ended up in 8

9 prison. Upon Joseph s interpreting a dream of the butler, and that dream coming true, the butler is released from his prison cell, and is asked by Joseph to remember him upon his release, and assist in his being set free; the butler having a close association with the Pharaoh. However, the butler in gaining his freedom, quickly forgets about Joseph. The text reads, Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him. After receiving what he desired, the butler treats the friendship formed with Joseph indifferently. Joseph facing family and friends who hold no concern for his welfare, yet emotionally and spiritually is sustained by the Almighty God. God s plan is that Israel be saved, and the salvation of God s chosen people (Israel) will be mediated through Joseph. LIFE APPLICATION Love is a powerful force! Joseph felt himself the object of love. He knew the love of his earthly father, and was aware and conscious of the divine love flowing from God Jehovah. It was this sense of being embraced in both earthly and eternal love that empowered Joseph to endure through all the negativism life threw at him. Joseph in his humble nature, never used the love that embraced him for selfish motives, but used this love as a springboard of forgiveness, for all the wrong and evil he was forced to endure. In a sense, Joseph was a type and shadow of the Promised Messiah. WHAT WE KNOW ALREADY: PREMISE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: 1. God is 2. God Speaks 3. God speaks through that which has already been spoken - We believe the Bible 9

10 to be the inerrant Word of God. WORKING DEFINITION OF GOD: God is the Personal Spirit, who in Holy Love, Creates. Orders, and Sustains all. SEASONS TO SPIRITUAL PERFECTION God created the physical universe in six (6) days. God creates the perfect universe in six (6) seasons. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of the heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:1-2). 1. Season of Beginnings - Genesis Season of Boundaries and Borders - Genesis Season of Bringing Christ or the Messiah into the World - Genesis 12 thru the gospel of John. 4. Season of Broadcasting Christ to the World - Acts - Revelation 5. Season of Burdens and Tribulations - Revelation 6. Season of Birthing a New Creation - Revelation 10