Get Rid of the Dreamer

Genesis Chapter 37

Literary Context

Where is the book in the context of the Bible?

Where is our text in the context of the book?

What kind of literature is it ?

Are there any literary devices used?

Literary Context Where is the book in the context of the Bible?

God creates Adam & Eve…judges their sin (Gen 1-3)

God re-creates through Seth…judges through worldwide flood (Gen 4-8)

God re-creates through Noah…judges at Tower of Babel (Gen 8-11)

God re-creates through Abraham…(Gen 12-Ex 1)

o God promises Abraham a great nation, including an inheritance

o God rescues from promise being thwarted many times

o God makes a great nation while they are in Egypt

o God delivers from Egyptian bondage & to the promised land

o God gives regional judges (rescuers) and finally a centralized king

o God judges idolatry, dividing kingdom…eventually sending into exile

God returns from exile…only to be conquered by the Romans

God re-creates through faith in Jesus Christ (the Snake-Crusher promised to

Adam, the one through whom men can call on the Lord, the one who protects

from God’s wrath better than Noah, the one who provides worldwide blessing

promised to Abraham, the one who provides a better exodus than Moses,

David’s greater son who reigns forever, the Savior of the world)

Literary Context

Where is our text in the context of the book? Ch. 1 & 2 – Creation

Ch. 3 – the Fall, the Curse, the Promise of a Redeemer

Ch. 4 – the wicked line of Cain & the godly line of Seth

Ch. 10 & 11 – the wicked line of Ham (and Japheth) & the godly line of Shem

Ch. 12 – the Call of Abraham

Ch. 25– the wicked line of Ishmael & the godly line of Isaac

Ch. 28 – Esau marries an Ishmaelite to spite Isaac

Ch. 29-30 – the line of Jacob

Literary Context Joseph’s Story is a novella composing Chapters 37-50

Genesis is structured by the use of 10 tôlĕdôt’s “These are the generations of Jacob.” Genesis 37:2

“By [this] word we are not so much to understand a genealogy, as a record of events, which appears more clearly from the context.” Calvin @ 258.

Jacob’s tôlĕdôt parallels his father Isaac’s tôlĕdôt

Isaac Jacob

Preceded by a brief tôlĕdôt of older brother Ishmael (Ch. 25:12-18)

Preceded by brief tôlĕdôt of older brother Esau (Ch. 36)

Mainly about the younger son, Jacob Mainly about the younger son, Joseph

Based on the oracle “the elder shall serve the younger” (25:23)

Based on dreams that his (mostly) older brothers will bow down to him (37:5-11)

Isaac loved Esau…Rebekah loved Jacob (25:28)

Israel loved Joseph more than any of his children (37:3)

Esau sought to kill Jacob Joseph’s brothers sought to kill him

Literary Context

Where is our text in the context of the book? Ch. 27 – Jacob deceives his father, Isaac, into giving him the blessing

Ch. 29 – Laban deceives Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel

Ch. 34 – Jacob’s sons deceive Hamor & his son Shechem and slaughter the

men of their city

Ch.37 – Jacob’s sons deceive him by reporting Joseph is dead

Ch. 42-44 – Joseph “deceives” his brothers in Egypt (but for their good)

Literary Context How does it fit in the context of the book?

Inherited Sin o Adam (Gen. 3)

o God’s post-flood proclamation (Gen. 8:21)

o Jacob’s sons: The Apples Don’t Fall Far From the Tree

Abrahamic Covenant

1Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Gen. 12:1-3; Cf. Gen. 13:14-17 & Gen. 15

The Covenant was extended to Isaac in Gen. 26:1-5.

The Covenant was extended to Jacob in Gen. 28:10-15 & 35:9-12

Grammatical Context Repetition of words for emphasis?

dream …not only two different dreams, but the word is used 7 times

brothers…21 times (Underscore the terrible nature of their crime; Cf. Gen. 4 repeated 7 times)

robe/coat…8 times (visual representation of Jacob’s preferential love of Joseph)

v28 (in the Hebrew) repeats Joseph’s name 3 times (renominalizing…marking a climactic event)

Other word usage

Pit/cistern (used 4 times)—cut out of limestone, used to store water in dry season

Ishmaelites & Midianites appear to be used interchangeably

v20 “throw” (v24 “cast”)—place dead body in grave (Cf. 21:15)

Literary Context Figures of Speech (e.g., metaphors)

“son of his old age” (v3) son of his favorite wife (contrasted with Benjamin whose birth caused her death)

Literary Device used? “added to their hate” vv5, 8 – play on Joseph’s name

Chiasm in v11 (in the Hebrew) o Emphasizes the outsides of the “X”

o “in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” (Col. 1:16)

o verb-subject…subject-verb (emph: contrast in moods)

Foreshadowing in v2 (“bad report”) o “bad report” v2

• Hebrew word rendered “fierce/ferocious” in v33

• Rendered “harm/evil” in Genesis 50:20

o Coat of many colors v3 (cf. 41:42)

o Dreams vv 5-10 • Prisoners’ dreams Ch.40

• Pharaoh’s dreams Ch.41

• “Bowing down” – 41:43; 42;6; 43:26,28; 47:31; 50:18(cf. 33:3-7 Jacob bowing to Esau)

o “kept the saying in mind” – Luke 2:19,51

o Egypt v36 (50:20)

Literary Context – What type of literature?

The type of literature dictates the rules of interpretation

we use.

3 main types of literature Discourse (includes Law, Epistles, Prophecy)

Narrative (includes Historical books ) – Genesis

Poetry (Wisdom, Lament, Songs, Psalms, Proverbs)

Note: Many books have elements of more than 1 type

Narrative – Tools to use Scenes

Characters

Plot

Literary Context – What type of literature?

Scenes

Scene #1 – AT HOME – Jacob loves his son, Joseph

most. His brothers are jealous and hate him. Joseph

shares two dreams of his family bowing down to him

(vv1-11)

Scene #2 – Joseph sent to check on his brothers who

plot to kill him. It ends with him being sold as a slave.

One brother makes a failed rescue attempt (vv12-30)

Scene #3 – The brothers deceive Jacob into thinking

Joseph is dead, while

Note: Oftentimes teaching points will be based on

scenes or conversations, though you can group some

together if there are too many.

1. There is an exalted son who is loved by his father and hated by his brothers

2. Though he seeks his brothers, they reject him and seek his destruction 3. Though believed to be dead, yet he lives

Literary Context – What type of literature?

Characters o Major

Jacob

Reminder that he is in the line of promise (land v1 & generations v2) Loved Joseph more than other sons vv3-4

Rebukes Joseph for 2nd dream but “kept the saying in mind”

Joseph

Discerns evil v2

Trusted vv2, 14

Favorite & honored son vv3

Reminder that he is like the treasured son of promise v3

Received revelation/dreams & shared them vv5-7, 9

Obedient/submissive to his father vv13-17 Silent before his “enemies” vv23-28 (contra cf. 42:21)

His brothers

They hated Joseph and could not speak peacefully to him vv4-5, 8

Rebuked him for 1st dream v8

Jealous of Joseph v11

Perhaps disobedient (supposed to be in Shechem) vv12-13, 17

Conspire to kill him and lie to Jacob about how he died vv18-20 (bring anguish to father w/ lie vv31-35)

Stripped off Joseph’s honored coat & threw him in pit to die vv23-24 (then sat down to eat! v25)

Change mind and decide to “profit” by selling him into slavery vv25-29 Reuben

Intends to save Joseph, convinces brothers not to kill him vv21-22

Laments his failure to save Joseph from slavery and fears the consequences (he’s the firstborn) vv21-22,29-30 (cf. 35:22 for possible motivation to look good to his father!)

o Minor – the closer relative, Naomi, neighborhood women

Sons of Bilhah (Daniel & Naphtali)) & Zilpah (Gad & Asher)

Judah

Man in the fields of Shechem

Ishmaelites/Midianites

o Don’t forget the Narrator – is omniscient. Do we learn anything from him?

o Don’t forget the Lord (even if not named)

Literary Context - What type of literature?

Plot Setting – Joseph with his father & brothers

Conflict – What will the brothers do with Joseph?

Rising Action (building tension) – Jacob’s love for Joseph…brothers hatred,

hearing the dreams, jealousy, see him in distance, plot to kill him, Reuben’s

convinces them not to kill him, but they “throw him into a pit

Climax – Judah’s idea about “profit”

Resolution – Sell Joseph into slavery

o Important Note: the conflict does not always get resolved the way you

want/hope

New Setting – Joseph in Egypt, Jacob mourns

Historical Context Canaan (the land of promise) v1

• Structurally v1 probably better belongs to preceding narrative

• v1 shows Jacob living in The land of promise (covenant) but as a sojourner

(cf. Heb 11:13)

• Sojourning points to the promises of God not yet completely fulfilled, so

Jacob (as his fathers before him) is still awaiting the fulfillment.

Shechem v12, 13 (50 miles north of Hebron) • Perhaps Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers in Shechem in light of the

incident there involving Dinah.

Dothan v17 (13 more miles north from Shechem) • Jacob’s sons are far away from their father necessitating Joseph’s journey to inquire as

to the welfare of the brothers and Jacob’s flocks.

Egypt v28b

Redemptive Context Son of promise through whom God brings about redemption (Isaac…

Joseph…Jesus)

The hatred, jealousy, rejection and killing of the one sent to save (Acts 3; Mk

8:31, cf. Lk 17:25-27)

God’s providential control over salvation

Uses even Jacob’s sinful partiality

Uses brothers’ hatred

Uses Reuben’s failed salvation

Cf. 50:20; Acts 2:23; Luke 22:22

Homiletical/Teaching Outline Theme – Hatred cannot defeat the God-ordained mission of the exalted son.

1. The son of promise is exalted above his brothers (vv1-11)

2. Though he seeks his brothers, they reject him and seek his destruction (vv12-31)

3. Though believed to be dead, yet he lives (vv32-35)

Alternatively:

1. The exalted son vv1-11

2. The sent son vv12-17 (emphasizing Joseph’s submission to Jacob’s mission for hiim and the

providential nature of Joseph doing what he set out to do, i.e., reaching the brothers via the man in the field at Shechem)

3. The rejected son vv18-31

4. The risen son vv32-35

Homiletical/Teaching Outline Theme – Hatred cannot defeat the God-ordained mission of the exalted son.

1. The son of promise is exalted above his brothers (vv1-11)

The father, Jacob, is marked by two things

o He is a member of the covenant community, those who God has promised to bless

• Reference to the Land of Inheritance promised to Abraham v1 - “sojourn” covenant word meaning temporary resident

• The “generations of Jacob” v2 – another chapter in the redemptive story. Genesis is structured around the Lord’s relationship with various men whose “generations” are listed.

• The Lord renamed Jacob as “Israel” v3 (cf. 32:24ff)

o He foolishly shows partiality to Joseph, stirring up the ire of his brothers vv3-4

The son, Joseph, is exalted above his brothers

o He is the “son of his old age” v3 – reminiscent of Isaac as son of Abraham’s old age (and the son through which God’s covenant promises would be fulfilled…the son who would be brought back from the dead, figuratively speaking – Heb 11 – just as Joseph comes out of the pit and lives in Egypt)

o His father loves him most vv3,4 and honors him with a coat of distinction v3

o He is given prophetic visions/dreams by God (that foretell his exaltation) vv5, 9a

o He serves as a prophet vv6-7, 9b-10a, and Jacob hears his words in a special way v11b

The brothers had jealous hatred toward Joseph

o Hated Joseph vv4-5, 8

o Scoffed at his dream/prophecy v8

o jealous of him v11 (note: narrator describes them as “jealous” after the dream spelling out his exaltation, indicating that they hate the dream/God’s revelation and thus God Himself

Homiletical/Teaching Outline Theme – Hatred cannot defeat the God-ordained mission of the exalted son.

2. Though he seeks his brothers, they reject him and seek his destruction (vv12-31)

Jacob sends Joseph on a mission related to the covenant v13

o Covenant name “Israel” used again here with respect to Joseph (cf. v3)

o Joseph responds with the submissive “Here I am” v13b • This anticipates others called by God to divine missions – cf. 1 Sam 3:4-14; Isaiah 6:8-10

• Note: Samuel is called to deliver a message of judgment to Eli who has rejected God’s prior revelation to him – see 1 Sam 3:13

• Note: Isaiah is called to deliver a message that will not be understood by the spiritually deaf – Isaiah 6:9-10

o It is a mission for their good: “the welfare of your brothers” v14

o It was probably also a mission necessitated by their lack of trustworthiness: “and the welfare of the flock” v14

(cf. v2b; 34:25-30; 35:22)

Joseph goes on the father’s mission

o Obediently goes on long journey alone to Shechem … and then to Dothan vv14b, 17b

o He sought out his brothers – “looking for” vv15 & 16, “went after” v17b

Brothers wickedly reject Joseph and his mission

o Premeditation, plot to kill him & deceive their father v18, 20a

o They hate/reject Joseph’s message from the Lord (in the dreams) vv19, 20b

o Despite being “brothers” (word used 21 times – cf. Gen 4’s usage to underscore heinous nature of Cain killing

his brother), they sell Joseph into the people descended from sons of Abraham through which God’s promise

did not come vv25-28 (Also note the allusion to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus: “twenty shekels of silver” v28b)

o Reuben fails to rescue Joseph and despairs of what the consequences to him will be vv29-30

God’s providence

o Without Laban’s deceit, Joseph would have been the favored son (1st born of Rachel)

o Without Jacob’s sinful preference of Joseph, the brothers wouldn’t have hated him

o Without dreams revealed by God, the brothers hatred wouldn’t have grown

o There “happens” to be a man who (1) is near the field in which Joseph was wandering, (2) is there at the same

time as Joseph, and (3) knows the brothers’ whereabouts

o Without Reuben’s failed rescue attempt, Joseph doesn’t get away from his brothers

o Without the Ishamelites/Midianties happening by (and Judah’s greed!), Joseph might have died in the pit

Homiletical/Teaching Outline Theme – Hatred cannot defeat the God-ordained mission of the exalted son.

3. Though believed to be dead, yet he lives (vv32-35) (this section might begin with v29)

With the aid of the brothers’ deception, Jacob concludes that his exalted son is dead vv32-33

Jacob mourns the “death” of Joseph vv34-36

o Note all of the death language: • Pit (twice) v29

• Slaughtered v31

• Blood v 31

• Wild beast…devoured…torn to pieces v33

• Sheol (i.e., the grave) v35

o Note the language of mourning: • Tearing garments/clothes vv29, 34

• Put on sackcloth v34

• Mourned vv34, 35

• Attempts to comfort/refusal to be comforted v35

• Wept for him v35

Despite the evil of the brothers and Jacob’s certainty of his death, Joseph is alive!

o Joseph arrives in Egypt vv28, 36

o Sold to an Egyptian officer, the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard v36 – hope of returning to an exalted place?