Speaking the Truth in Love
Genesis Chapter 37:11 through Chapter 39
CHAPTER 37:11-36
Verses 11-22 – Jacob’s sons envied Joseph because Jacob favored him. Jacob sends Joseph to make sure his sons are well. The last time Joseph checked on them he gave a bad report (verse 2). Before he gets there they conspired against him to kill him (verse 18). They mention him as the master of dreams. He had told them they would one day serve him. Reuben intercedes to keep them from killing Joseph by telling them to put him in a pit so he could rescue him later.
Verses 23-28 – The brothers (all except Reuben) take Joseph’s tunic of many colors, put him in a pit, and sit down to eat a meal. Then a group of Ishmaelites came from Gilead on their way to carry spices to Egypt. From verse 26 the brothers are still considering killing Joseph. Instead they sell Joseph for 20 pieces of silver and the Ismaelites take him to Egypt.
Verses 29-36 – Reuben returns, finds no Joseph, tears his clothes, and returns to his brothers. The brothers decide to dip the tunic of many colors in goat blood and brought it to their father Jacob. Jacob assumes his son is dead and mourns for his son many days. No one can comfort Jacob and he says he will go to the grave mourning. In the meantime the Ishmaelites sell Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an office of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
CHAPTER 38
Verses 1-11 – Judah takes a Canaanite as a wife and has three sons with her. The firstborn son (Er) is given to Tamar as a wife. However that Er is wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord kills him. Judah tells his second son (Onan) to go in to your brother’s wife , marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother. Onan knew the heir would not be his therefore he displeases God and God kills him also. Judah promises his youngest son (Shelah) to Tamar when he is grown.
Verses 12-23 – Judah’s wife dies and he seeks what he thinks is a prostitute, but it is really Tamar posing as a prostitute.
Verses 24-30 – Judah’s sin and Tamar’s sin is exposed as she is pregnant with twins. She gives birth to Perez and to Zerah. Perez is in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:3).
CHAPTER 39
Verses 1-6 – Joseph rises in Potiphar’s house.
Verses 7-18 – Joseph resists temptations and then is accused of trying to lie with Potiphar’s wife.
Verses 19-23 – Potiphar puts Joseph in prison because of his wife. In prison, the Lord is with Joseph and blesses him.
CLOSING
We invite all to our assemblies on Wednesday at 7pm and on Sunday at 9am. We also are available for personal Bible studies, internet e-mail studies, and can even send you a Bible correspondence course.
We see that even in prison the Lord is looking after Joseph because Joseph is striving to please and follow God’s will (Genesis 39:9). In James 4:6, 7, and 10 we see that those who humble themselves in submission to God will be lifted up. Paul also was in prison in 2 Timothy 4:17-18and knew that he would make it to Heaven if He was faithful. Maybe you are in bad situations in this life. Why not be like Joseph and Paul. Humble yourself to God’s will. Repent of your sins and be baptized to wash them away. Then no matter what you face in this life, you have eternity in Heaven to look forward to! Please seriously consider these things tonight. We hope to see you next time on Monday, August 19, on “Speaking The Truth In Love”!
