Genesis 50:20
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Genesis 37:26-27. What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Said Judah. Let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother and flesh. They agreed. ( Joseph's brothers speaking to each other while Reuben and Judah were absent).
Genesis 45:5-8. Please don’t be angry or distressed with yourselves that you sold me to this place because it was to save lives that ADONAI sent me ahead of you. God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ( Joseph speaking to his brothers after revealing his identity).
Introduction
The Book of Genesis is the book of beginnings, with the creation of the world and all the firsts occurring. It begins with the birth of the world and ends with the funeral/coffin of Jacob followed by Joseph.
Moshe wrote this book and it covers about 2400 years.
This episode in Genesis 50:14-20 occurs after Jacob’s state funeral. After Jacob died, he was embalmed by the physicians in Egypt and mourned for seventy days, then with the permission and blessings of the Pharoah, Joseph and his brothers and all the officials of the government of Egypt came to the cave of Machpelah where the ancestors were buried. The cave is attached to the plot of land that Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite for 400 pieces of silver to bury Sarah. (Genesis 23). Though Abraham lived a lifetime in Canaan, this was the only patch of land that was legally his and his descendants. Normally people return to their homeland to be buried, so when Abraham buried Sarah here, he made a statement that everyone understood. He was here to stay and be buried in this land. He was settling down for good in the land of Canaan.
Jews believe it is the gateway to the Garden of Eden and that Adam and Eve are buried there. Later on, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca and Leah were buried here till this event. Machpelah means ‘doubled’ in Hebrew and is called the Cave of the Patriarchs[1].
Jews believe that Joseph visited Dothan where he was thrown in the pit and then sold to the Midianites on his way back from the burial of Jacob. Joseph’s brothers were terrified, still guilty 39 years later, that he would now take revenge without the protection of their father. It seems to have been a well-kept secret from Jacob but they never recovered from their evil deed. He made no mention of it in his farewell speech where he mentions his sons’ misdemeanors and their loss of the firstborns’ birthright. Joseph was a victim of their hatred, so much so, that they wanted to kill him. Reuben and Judah prevented this and they were missing when he was sold off. The other brothers thought it was good riddance and they would never see Joseph again, because slavery was a death sentence. It is only because ADONAI protected his life and destiny that he survived all the hardships of slavery. This is the only time Joseph returned to visit Canaan because for him the land of exile became the land of blessing and promise through his act of saving the land from famine. The next time he would return, it would be 400 years later when he was long dead and embalmed. He was buried in Shechem on the piece of land Jacob bought from Hamor's sons for 100 pieces of silver. Josh 24:32.
Joseph was the beloved firstborn son of Rachel, and his older brothers were the sons of Leah and her servant Zilpah, and Rachel’s servant, Bilhah. He was born when Jacob was 91 years old to Rachel his beloved wife. Rachel died in childbirth at Bethlehem Ephrathah, and Benjamin survived. Genesis 35:21; Micah 5:2. Nearby is the Tower of the Flock (Migdal Eder in Hebrew) where sacrificial lambs were birthed and inspected. As mentioned in Micah 4:8, it is the place where Yeshua was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and placed in the manger where the lambs were kept.
Jacob (Joseph’s father): when he came to Laban’s (his mother’s brother) house, he was 70 years old and agreed to work for 7 years for Rachel. At 77 years old, he was the bridegroom to a young 22-year-old Rachel. The morning after, in daylight, he discovered that his bride was Leah and not Rachel. Leah must have kept her mouth shut and face covered because Jacob was not expecting to find anyone other than Rachel waiting for him in the marriage tent. He was livid with Laban for this deception but he honored the marriage and kept her as his first wife. He didn’t love her initially because he was shocked and upset at being deceived. But he chose to be buried with her in Machpelah. After completing the marriage week with her, he married Rachel, the one he loved and had asked for. He agreed to work another seven years for the bride he did not ask for. He didn’t get lucky with buy one get one free. He paid through his hard work for both his brides. He certainly honored the marriages of the sisters.
Leah had her lap full of children long before Rachel did.
Somehow this unloved wife and mother Leah, had bred simmering hatred into her sons. So much so that they wanted to kill him; they were not perturbed about having blood on their hands and carrying guilt forever. So unlike Joseph.
Joseph's dreams: His dreams that their sheaves bowed to his sheaf, and the stars bowed to him with the sun and the moon were prophetic dreams of destiny. With a little celebration of his dreams, his family would have known that Joseph was destined for greatness. They could’ve chosen to be good to him and to protect him so that when his glory did come, some would fall on them and they would be privileged too. How different the outcome would have been? But it was not so. Everyone attributes this to Joseph’s pride, however, he was meant to speak them for his family to know what ADONAI was saying to him. It was a big deal and these dreams sustained him during his difficult times. ADONAI was faithful to fulfilling them even though Joseph was in the dungeon for most of his time in Egypt. These dreams helped nurture his faith and not plan revenge upon his brothers.
The Ishmaelites or Midianites sold him to the captain of the guard of the Pharoah. Pharoah. Genesis 37.
Chapter 39 speaks about his slavery, false accusations, imprisonment, and abandonment.
Two Of Each.
Genesis 40 and 41. Two dreams come true and the Pharoah calls both. The wine bearer is freed, and the baker is hanged. Two years later, the Pharoah dreams two dreams. Joseph credits ADONAI as he interprets the dreams and advises the Pharaoh on immediate action. Two dreams with the same meaning indicated that ADONAI had confirmed what He decreed and it would happen soon. (Genesis 41:32). Just as ADONAI had given Joseph two dreams to sustain him till it was fulfilled and to put him in the right place at the right time. Joseph went from being Potiphar’s slave to becoming his master. We wonder how Potiphar recoiled in shame and if he ever knew how wayward his wife was. In the meantime, Joseph was married and had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, while governing Egypt through the bumper harvest of 7 years and stocking up for the coming years of famine. Two years into the famine his brothers arrived in Egypt to buy grain. They made two trips to Egypt before they returned to settle in Goshen.
Joseph recognized them immediately and accused them of being spies. (Genesis 42:16). The brothers’ guilt at selling their brother surfaced 22 years later. They said to one another,” Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.” They would have to give an accounting for his blood. (Genesis 42:21, 22). This is how evil-doers suffer from continuous guilt. They can never overcome the evil they have done because humans are not built to be evil. The fruit of doing evil comes back multiplied to the evil-doers. It doesn’t disappear, it awaits an opportunity to happen. Like PTSD, the trauma is relived over and over, like an open wound, oozing pus and stench, never healing.
Joseph’s response was tears of the pain of separation from his beloved family, false accusations, and unjust slavery. Though he was governor of Egypt now, he missed his family dearly. He understood his destiny as ADONAI’s purpose was to save lives and waited long for his brothers to arrive.
He kept Simeon in prison as a guarantee till they brought Benjamin the next time. Joseph needed to see how his younger brother had fared with his evil older brothers. Whether or not they had mistreated him just as they did to Joseph. He tested them by accusing Benjamin of stealing his silver cup and when Judah offered his life for Benjamin’s, to save his father from grief and death, Joseph knew that his brothers had learned their lesson. His heart overflowed with tears as he revealed himself to them and wept over all of them. He had forgiven them and accepted his destiny from YHWH and now he could see its fulfillment.
Joseph’s story parallels Esther’s story. Both had their names/identities changed and went from being slaves in another nation to becoming the second in command in the nation. In both cases, the King dreams or hears of in the night takes off his ring, and gives it to Joseph or Mordecai. Both get royal clothes from the king.
Trust when troubled.
When we are troubled or suffering, we must trust in the goodness of the Sovereign YHWH. Joseph’s trust in the goodness of God carried him through these terrible trials, free from bitterness and complaining. That same mindset will help us bear up under trials.
Romans 8:28 All things work together for good for us who love God and are called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness’. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
The 10 years in prison for Joseph were not easy because of the false accusations and injustice. (Almost always the case). He missed his beloved father, wondering whether he was alive or not. There was no freedom in sight. Potiphar was the captain of the guard and Joseph was in his prison. No matter how difficult and impossible the situation, God is in control.
Job’s animals were stolen, and servants were killed, incited by satan.
Samson wanted to marry the Philistine woman. It was from the Lord. Judges 14:4.
Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; it was from the Lord. 1 Kings 12:15.
Nebuchadnezzar is called the servant of God for wiping out Jerusalem. Jeremiah 1:15,25:9; 27:6 and 50:25.
Cyrus was called the anointed of God and was used by God. Isa 45:1.
Yeshua was destined to die on the cross by YHWH. Acts 4:28.
When bad things happen to us, we wonder where God is in all this mess we have made. We grumble and doubt his love. We need God, his forgiveness, help, and strength. The real issue is our ignorance of God, who He is, and his plans for us.
He watches over us, every breath we take, every hair that falls. But now and then, He tests our strength and faith.
Joseph is a foreshadowing of Yeshua Messiah.
Both were dearly beloved by their fathers but hated by their brothers. There are so many similarities between them. Both were stripped of their coats and sold for silver. Both overcame temptation and were falsely accused. Both were punished with two others and one was saved. Both were exalted to the right hand at the age of 30 years. Both brought salvation to their nations even though they were not recognized.
Joseph
Gets more space in Genesis than other significant characters like Adam, Noah, Abraham, and others in chapters 37-50.
He demonstrates the sovereignty to YHWH by becoming the savior of Egypt and the world during the famine. He protects the covenant line and the family of Abraham with all the promises YHWH made to him. He settled them in Goshen to keep them separated from the Egyptian idol-worshipping culture.
Joseph is the first royal seed of Abraham.
Joseph’s story is the story of the whole Bible. It is the story of glory through suffering; and exaltation through humiliation.
It is the story of Yeshua the Messiah.
Joseph's life is a classic example of Biblical stories that depict suffering and humiliation, false accusations and punishment, only to be rewarded and exalted by YHWH.
Application.
We remain dearly beloved of ADONAI forever.
Persecution is never easy. Yet ADONAI’S purpose and plans remain in place.
YHWH can turn the evil plans of others into great blessings.
We can be used mightily by YHWH to glorify His Name in the land of exile.
We must trust Him at all times.
YHWH is Sovereign and in control.
His purpose will stand forever.
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