Read the Passage: Genesis 37

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 37

Joseph’s Dreams (37:1–11)

After giving a genealogy of Esau in the previous chapter, Genesis 37 begins an extended narration about the family of Jacob. Chronologically, Jacob had been back in the Promised Land for 11 years and was now 108 years old. Given that the universal aspect of Abrahamic Covenant would pass through Judah (cf. Gen. 49:8–12), it is somewhat surprising that the narrative in the final 14 chapters of the book of Genesis, which covers 39 years of time, focuses upon Joseph. Recall that Joseph, whose birth was noted at Gen. 30:24, was Jacob’s eleventh son, and the firstborn son of his wife Rachel. As this chapter begins Joseph was 17 years old. Gen. 37:1–4 gives hints about Joseph’s character. For example, Gen. 37:2 notes that Joseph was not opposed to reporting the errors of his brothers to his father. Perhaps it is not surprising that Gen. 37:3–4 notes that Joseph, the firstborn son of Jacob’s favorite wife, was Jacob’s favorite son.

Jacob loved Joseph more than all of his other children, and he made no attempt to hide this fact, even giving Joseph “a tunic of many colors” (Gen. 37:3). Given their father’s favoritism, as well as perhaps Joseph’s immature character, Joseph’s brothers “hated him and could not speak peaceably to him” (Gen. 37:4). To make matters worse, Gen. 37:5–11 records two dreams that Joseph had, each of which he shared with his family. Dreams have already been an important element in the book of Genesis, as dreams were experienced earlier by Abimelech (cf. Gen. 20:3), Jacob (cf. Gen. 28:12; 31:10–11), and Laban (cf. Gen. 31:24). Joseph’s dreams were parallel and needed no in-depth interpretation. In Joseph’s dream of sheaves in the field, and in his dream of bodies in the heavens, the meaning is quite clear: Joseph would one day be the leader of his family. Understandably, this caused strife within the family.

Brothers’ Jealousy (37:12–28)

Gen. 37:12–17 reports that Jacob sent Joseph to the town of Shechem to check on his brothers, who were tending Jacob’s flocks. That Jacob would send Joseph on this long and dangerous journey all alone, and the fact that Joseph agreed to go on this trip, displays both the naiveté of Joseph and the ignorance of Jacob. Indeed, both father and son grossly underestimated the depth of the hatred the brothers had toward Joseph. When Joseph arrived in Shechem he learned that his brothers had traveled 15 miles further north to Dotham. Whether the brothers were seeking better fields for grazing, or if they craved the carnal pleasures of the city, is not clear; yet Dotham was located on a caravan trading route used by traveling merchants. As could perhaps be expected, when the brothers saw Joseph approaching, their anger was aroused, and they began to make plans to murder their brother.

While Gen. 37:29 seems to indicate that the ten brothers were unanimous in their plan to kill Joseph, the following verses reveal that Reuben intended to rescue Joseph from his brothers (cf. Gen. 37:21–22; 42:22), and Judah suggested that they should sell Joseph rather than murder him (cf. Gen. 37:26–27). Yet, the hatred of the brothers is evident, for when Joseph arrived, they “stripped Joseph of his . . . tunic of many colors” (Gen. 37:23) and threw him into a pit, which was likely an empty water cistern. Furthermore, the brothers’ cold and callous hearts were on full display, as after their cruel treatment of Joseph, they sat down to enjoy a meal together. Apparently, Reuben departed at this time (cf. Gen. 37:29). In God’s providence, at this very moment, as caravan of Midianite traders was passing, going toward Egypt. The brothers then decided to sell Joseph as a slave for a mere twenty pieces of silver.

Jacob’s Mourning (37:29–36)

As was previously noted, Reuben was not in agreement with the plan to kill Joseph, for he intended to “deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father” (Gen. 37:22). Perhaps this was a result of Reuben being the oldest and most mature, or possibly Reuben was simply aware of the pain that Joseph’s death would cause Jacob. Later, Gen. 42:22 reports Reuben’s claim, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” Given this statement, perhaps Reuben suspected that God’s hand was somehow with Joseph on account of his dreams. Nevertheless, Reuben was inexplicably absent when Joseph was sold to the Midianite traders. Gen. 37:31–36 records the brothers’ necessary deception of their father Jacob, on account of their selling their brother Joseph as a slave.

Application Questions:

1. If the universal aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant would eventually be fulfilled through Judah, why does this narrative focus on Joseph?
2. Is it acceptable for parents to have favorites among their children? Is it possible to love all one’s offspring equally?
3. Does God still speak through dreams and visions? Why did God send these two dreams to Joseph?
4. Given Jacob’s love for him, how could Joseph’s brothers have been so cold-hearted as to sell him as a slave?
5. How can we explain Reuben’s absence when Joseph was sold as a slave to the Midianite traders?