Genesis 37 – Joseph’s Dreams and Betrayal

 

Genesis 37 – Joseph’s Dreams and Betrayal

1. Introduction (Verses 1-2)

• Jacob (Israel) is living in the land of Canaan.

• Joseph, at seventeen years old, is a shepherd working with his brothers.

• He reports his brothers' bad behavior to their father.

🔹 Significance: Joseph's act of reporting his brothers suggests he is responsible and perhaps has a sense of justice, but it also contributes to their resentment toward him.

---

2. Jacob’s Favoritism (Verses 3-4)

• Jacob loves Joseph more than his other sons because he was born to him in old age (Joseph is also the firstborn of Rachel, his beloved wife).

• Jacob gives Joseph a special coat (a coat of many colors), signifying favoritism.

• This favoritism leads to hatred among his brothers, who could not speak peaceably to him.

🔹 Significance: The coat represents honor, leadership, and favor, which his brothers see as unfair, leading to jealousy and division.

---

3. Joseph’s First Dream (Verses 5-8)

• Joseph dreams of binding sheaves of grain in the field, where his brothers' sheaves bow down to his sheaf.

• He shares this dream with his brothers, and they hate him even more.

🔹 Meaning of the Dream: It suggests Joseph will have authority over his brothers in the future.

---

4. Joseph’s Second Dream (Verses 9-11)

• Joseph dreams again, this time of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him.

• He tells his father and brothers, and even Jacob rebukes him: "Shall I, your mother, and your brothers bow down to you?"

• However, Jacob keeps the matter in mind.

🔹 Meaning of the Dream: The sun (father), moon (mother), and stars (brothers) bowing to Joseph foreshadow his future position of power.

🔹 Lesson: Sometimes, sharing God’s revelations at the wrong time can lead to opposition.

---

5. Joseph Sent to Check on His Brothers (Verses 12-17)

• Joseph’s brothers are grazing sheep in Shechem.

• Jacob sends Joseph to check on them.

• A man directs Joseph to Dothan, where they had moved.

🔹 Lesson: God orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His plans. Joseph's journey to Dothan is crucial, as it leads to his sale into slavery.

---

6. The Brothers Plot Against Joseph (Verses 18-24)

• When the brothers see Joseph coming, they plot to kill him.

• They mockingly call him "the dreamer" and plan to throw him into a pit, saying they will see what happens to his dreams.

• Reuben (the eldest) convinces them not to kill him but to throw him into a dry pit instead—hoping to rescue him later.

🔹 Significance: This is a foreshadowing of Jesus, as Joseph is rejected, betrayed, and "left for dead" by his own people.

---

7. Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites (Verses 25-28)

• While Joseph is in the pit, the brothers see a caravan of Ishmaelites/Midianites traveling to Egypt.

• Judah suggests selling Joseph instead of killing him.

• They sell Joseph for twenty pieces of silver.

• The Midianite traders take him to Egypt.

🔹 Significance: This is similar to Judas betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).

---

8. Deceiving Jacob (Verses 29-35)

• Reuben returns, finds Joseph gone, and mourns.

• The brothers dip Joseph’s coat in goat blood and send it to Jacob.

• Jacob assumes Joseph has been killed by a wild animal.

• Jacob mourns deeply, refusing comfort.

🔹 Irony: Jacob had previously deceived his father Isaac (Genesis 27), and now he is deceived by his own sons.

---

9. Joseph in Egypt (Verse 36)

• The Midianites sell Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

🔹 Significance: Though betrayed and sold, God’s plan for Joseph is unfolding. This is the first step toward his rise to power in Egypt.

---

Key Lessons from Genesis 37

1. Favoritism breeds jealousy and division.
   → Parents should be careful about showing favoritism among children.

2. God's plans often involve suffering before fulfillment.
   → Joseph's journey to greatness begins with betrayal and hardship.

3. God can use evil for good.
   → Joseph's sale into slavery ultimately leads to his powerful role in Egypt (Genesis 50:20).

4. Betrayal often comes from close relationships.
   → Like Joseph, Jesus was also betrayed by his own people.

5. Patience and faith are needed to see God's plan unfold.
   → Joseph’s dreams do come true, but it takes years.

---

Conclusion

Genesis 37 is a powerful chapter that introduces Joseph’s journey, showing how God's hand is at work even in difficult circumstances. It teaches trust in God's plans, the dangers of envy, and the power of divine providence.