God’s Renewing Word of Mercy and Forgiveness
Introduction
Genesis 37:1-11: Chapter 37 in the book of Genesis begins what is referred to as the Joseph narrative. The story of Joseph, with the exception of chapter 38, comprises the remaining chapters in Genesis. Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son, and this sets the stage for the conflict between Joseph and his brothers. (Jacob was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham.) When Joseph tells his brothers about the dreams he has had, they become jealous of him.
Scripture Reading
Joseph and His Brothers
37 Jacob continued to live in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived, 2 and this is the story of Jacob’s family.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, took care of the sheep and goats with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s concubines. He brought bad reports to his father about what his brothers were doing.
3 Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he had been born to him when he was old. He made a long robe with full sleeves for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them, they hated their brother so much that they would not speak to him in a friendly manner.
5 One time Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more. 6 He said, “Listen to the dream I had. 7 We were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat, when my sheaf got up and stood up straight. Yours formed a circle around mine and bowed down to it.”
8 “Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us?” his brothers asked. So they hated him even more because of his dreams and because of what he said about them.
9 Then Joseph had another dream and told his brothers, “I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me.”
10 He also told the dream to his father, and his father scolded him: “What kind of a dream is that? Do you think that your mother, your brothers, and I are going to come and bow down to you?” 11 Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept thinking about the whole matter.
Today’s Key Verse: Genesis 37:3a
Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he had been born to him when he was old.
Reflect
How does Jacob demonstrate his love for Joseph? How do Joseph’s brothers react to his dreams? How would you describe Joseph? If you were one of Joseph’s brothers, what would be your feelings toward him?
Pray
Loving God, I place my trust in you. Order my steps this day, and may all I do and say be pleasing in your sight and bring honor and glory to you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Genesis 37:12-36: Joseph is sold and taken to Egypt.