Genesis 37

Hatred, murderous thoughts, lying, and jealousy: that's how the story of Joseph starts. Although Genesis 37:2 states “This is the account of Jacob”, it is told as the story of Joseph - Jacob's “Number 1 Son”. But Joseph is not the number one son technically. He is really number eleven biologically considering Jacob had children with Leah, her maidservant Zilpah, Rachel, and her maidservant Bilhah.  He is, however, number one in Jacob's heart as Joseph is the first born son of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel.

Joseph is very special to Jacob. He demonstrates this by giving Joseph a special gift – a robe. (The famous “Coat of Many Colours” that you coloured in Sunday School.) But that is not the only way that Joseph stands out. It seems that God has also given him a gift – dreams. Dreams of bowing sheaves, stars, sun and moon. Sharing these dreams with his family has a big impact on his brothers as they “hated him all the more” (37:5) and “were jealous of him” (37:11)

So, are we surprised and shocked when the brothers plot to murder their brother out in the lonely field where they are tending to the flocks? I still am. It's pretty extreme. You can read how the story goes in Genesis 37. There is a pit, some traders, twenty pieces of silver, a dead goat, and a mourning father.

Two brothers are mentioned by name in chapter 37. I think this is worth noting as we will meet them again later in the story. Reuben doesn't want to murder Joseph. He “tried to rescue him from their hands” (37:21) by suggesting they throw Joseph into a cistern. Reuben planned to come back later to take Joseph “back to his father” (37:22). I find this very intriguing because Reuben is the true “Number One Son” - the first-born of Leah. He of all the brothers should hate Joseph's special status in their father's eyes. He should want to see Joseph done away with. But he doesn't and he has a plan to save Joseph. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out as while he is gone, the brothers sell Joseph to some traders. When Reuben returns to find the cistern empty, his distress turns into deceit and he becomes party to a plan that he hoped to avoid – bringing news of Joseph's death to Jacob.

Judah (the fourth son of Leah) is the one who actually acts to save Joseph (interesting that he is Jesus' ancestor). His motives seem mixed – he acknowledges a blood connection with Joseph but also gets money out of the deal.

How are things left at the end of this chapter?

The brothers are unified in covering up their actions.

Jacob is mourning for his dead son until the grave.*
And Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt.

Joseph, who hasn't said a word in the text since 37:16 when he inquired about his brothers' whereabouts, has just gone through a dramatic series of events. He started out at the favoured one. The special one. With a fancy robe and unusual dreams. He is now sold for a second time. This time to Potiphar – Pharoh's captain of the guard (37:36). How will he hold up? Will his dreams ever be fulfilled? This, of course, is what we will find out over these next months of studying his life.

* It's remarkable to me that the text states the brother attempt to comfort their father when they know it was by their hands that his sorrow has come - see 37:35.