GENESIS 35:18 instead of expecting God to be or else I die!” That’s long before serving him. Amen to that! she bore her first son, Joseph (v 24). Almost prophetically, she We are now coming to the con- gave him a name meaning, “The clusion of that period describ- Lord shall add to me another ing “the generations of Isaac,” son.” Many years have passed. which began at 25:19, and in this The whole household is now section Isaac’s younger son wending its way south, when Jacob has been the dominant Rachel gets another son. Here’s figure. So as this portion draws how it happened. They would to a close, we have Jacob’s last have just passed Salem, later son born (which we’ll think Jerusalem, on their left. Skirting about in the next episode). We the Hinnom Valley, it was only a also have three funerals — Rebe- few miles’ walk to the outskirts kah’s nursemaid, Deborah, then of Bethlehem, or Ephrath, as it Jacob’s beloved Rachel, and was known then. finally old Isaac. There is also the disqualification of Jacob’s eldest, Then, just north of the soon-to- Reuben, from being the firstborn be famous town, by the side of as he preemptively tries to take the road, Rachel — no longer a control of the family. Recall that young woman — went into the book of Genesis has ten “hard into labor” (35:16, KJV). “generations” given, beginning No sanitary hospital conditions with “the generation of the for her, no attending physician, heavens and the earth” (2:4). no epidural. Every valiant Chapter 37:2 will begin “the mother goes into the Valley of generations of Jacob,” with his the Shadow of Death to bear her sons, especially Joseph, the focus young, and proves again the of the narrative from there to the words spoken by the Lord, end of the book. recorded in Genesis 3:16, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow 35:16-18 “GIVE ME CHILDREN, and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children.” OR ELSE I DIE!” It was not one or the other, Sadly Rachel would not come but both. And Jacob’s last boy would be the out of that valley. We read the plaintive account, “And so it feistiest of them all! was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his Rachel gives this lesson its title name Ben-Oni; but his father in her own words, taken from called him Benjamin” (35:18). Genesis 30:1, “Give me children, 151
GENESIS 35:18 The boy with two names (mean- alogies might not seem very ing “son of my sorrow” and important to us, reading like an “son of my right hand”) pictures old phone book — do you for us another Son, linked to remember phone books? — with Rachel in Matthew 2. Jesus had a great cast but not much plot. an earthly mother but no earthly But these genealogies are vital! father. She saw as far as the cross Let me give a couple reasons. and was pierced with sorrow (Lk 2:35). But His heavenly First, they show how meticulous Father (He has no heavenly God is in noticing the individual. mother) saw beyond to the You might not care about “Hem- glory, and declares Him to be the dan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran” Son of His Right Hand (Ps (v 26), but God does! If God 110:1)! And He was born in an attends the funeral of every spar- outside place at Bethlehem, too! row, and He does (Mt 10:29), don’t forget “you are of more value than 35:23-29 / CH. 36 LOOK AT ALL many sparrows” (v 31). THOSE CHILDREN! God promised Abram The second reason for the importance of Bible genealogies that his children and grandchildren would is to show the historicity of these vital documents. These are not multiply. Here’s the proof! fairy tales. Unlike other reli- gions, the message of the Word We won’t linger longer on of God is rooted in history. Genesis chapters 35 and 36. When Jesus comes, His creden- They are largely genealogies, tials must be proven, that He beginning with a restating of is “the Son of David, the Son of Jacob’s dozen, since Benjamin, Abraham” (Mt 1:1), and there- the last, has finally been added. fore has the right to fulfill the The chapter ends with Jacob and covenants made to them regard- Esau meeting again, this time at ing the seed, the land, and the the funeral of their father, Isaac, throne. The same overlapping and his burial with the other genealogies can be found patriarchs—and matriarchs — in throughout the Bible, corrobo- the cave of Machpelah at Hebron. rating that the New Testament record matches the ancient Chapter 36 now sets aside Hebrew Scriptures carefully Esau and his line from the focus preserved by the Jewish people. of God’s unfolding plan in the Yes, the Jews are the stewards of same way that Ishmael was set His Messianic claims! to one side in chapter 25. Gene- 152
GENESIS 37:34 37:1-11 THREE STRIKES, YOU’RE But then, third, Joseph told the family about two dreams he OUT! How true is the saying: “The envious had. In one, he saw sheaves of wheat, representing his brothers, person grows lean with the fatness of their bowing down to him. In the other, he told them, his brothers neighbor.” were like stars, and even his parents, “the sun, the moon,… When Joseph, eldest son of Jacob bowed down to me” (v 9). The and Rachel, bursts on the scene, result? “His brothers envied he is already 17 years old. Like him” (v 11). In fact, after the his father, grandfather Isaac, and dreams, we read, “they hated great-grandfather Abraham be- him even more” (v 5). fore him, he spends his days out under the hot Middle Eastern Many commentators feel that sun, tending sheep. Immediately Joseph was wrong in sharing a string of incidents are hinted at these dreams. But was Jesus that seem like ticking time wrong in stirring the Jews’ anger bombs. Like what? by telling them “the Son of Man will come in the glory of His First, Joseph reports to his Father with His angels” (Mt father that some of his half 16:27)? No, in both cases, when brothers, “the sons of Bilhah and it happens it must be seen that the sons of Zilpah” (Gen 37:2) this was God’s purpose, not a were not doing a good job. Thus, mere accident of history. But we when Jacob later wanted an can clearly see Joseph is heading honest report of things (vv 13-14), for trouble! even though it was dangerous, he could only trust Joseph to go. 37:13-34 HATED, REJECTED, Second, the man who saw the SOLD—BY HIS OWN: We can’t help but infighting that resulted from the favoritism shown in his own think of Jesus when we see the way Joseph family growing up, and with his wives as well, continued the was treated by his brothers. practice with the son of his favorite wife: “Now Israel loved Jacob, in Genesis 37:13, sent the Joseph more than all his chil- 17-year-old Joseph on a danger- dren” (v 3), and demonstrated fraught mission. His brothers that by giving him a special coat would move the flocks to of honor. He might as well have greener fields as the summer painted a target on Joseph’s back! 153
GENESIS 37:34 progressed. It was reported they his beloved Joseph was dead were near Shechem, 60 miles (Gen 37:31-34). north. Yikes! Shechem was the place where Jacob’s sons ex- They continued the dishonesty ecuted the inhabitants! That in seeking to comfort him, “but hardly seems like a good idea. he refused to be comforted.” But when Joseph arrived, he Meanwhile Joseph was sold to learned the brothers had moved Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s of- 14 miles further, by Dothan (v ficers. Much later, Stephen 17). The brothers saw him would conclude: “The patri- coming in his special coat. It’s archs, becoming envious, sold the dreamer, they said with Joseph into Egypt. But God was disgust. “Let us now kill him with him” (Acts 7:9). Yes, the and cast him into some pit; and Lord may not bring us immedi- we shall say, ‘Some wild beast ately out of our troubles, but He has devoured him.’ We shall see promises to be in them with us. what will become of his dreams!” (v 20). CHAPTER 38 MEANWHILE, BACK Solomon would later write, AT THE RANCH: When God’s plans hang by “Jealousy [is] as cruel as the grave” (Song 8:6). Reuben, the a thread, it’s good to recall that He hung the eldest, intervened and sug- gested he be thrown into a pit world on nothing! alive so they would not be guilty of murder. This they did, and In Genesis 38, the scene shifts then sat down to a meal, ignor- from Joseph in Egypt back to the ing Joseph’s cries. Reuben’s plan family at Hebron. Specifically it was to return later and help deals with Judah, the one who Joseph escape, but while occu- had taken leadership from pied elsewhere, the other Reuben, the presumptive first- brothers saw a Midianite cara- born, but who was disqualified van of spice traders heading to since he “defiled his father’s Egypt, and Judah suggested bed” (1 Chron 5:1). Why is this they sell their brother into chapter so important? Because slavery. Then, like the coat used through Judah the line of kings to fool Jacob’s father, the would come, especially “the Root brothers dipped Joseph’s special and the Offspring of David” (Rev coat in goat’s blood and tricked 22:16), our Lord Jesus. the old patriarch into thinking We won’t go into all the de- tails, but Judah’s eldest son was given a wife named Tamar. But, 154
GENESIS CH. 39 we read, “Judah’s firstborn… CHAPTER 39 WHEN FLIGHT IS THE was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed BEST WAY TO FIGHT: “Flee also youthful him” (38:7). This is the first record of a man who was so wicked lusts” (2 Tim 2:22). “Resist the devil and he that God withdrew his life. Thus Tamar was left a widow. Now at will flee from you” (Jas 4:7). that time there was a practice called Levirate marriage where The focus of Genesis now returns the brother of a deceased man to Egypt and will stay there for was obliged to marry his the rest of the book. There is brother’s widow and “raise up a evidence the Lord has blessed name to his brother” (Deut 25:7), the erstwhile slave-boy. In providing a son to carry on the fact, “His master saw that the line. Judah instructed his second Lord was with him and that the son to do this, but he “knew that Lord made all he did to prosper the heir would not be his” (Gen in his hand” (Gen 39:3). Thus 38:9), so interrupted the process. Joseph was given oversight of The result? He also died under everything Potiphar owned. But God’s judgment! watch out! We’re told Joseph was a good-looking fellow, and A third son was not yet of age, Potiphar’s wife “cast longing but when he was, Judah neglected eyes on Joseph, and she said, his responsibility. So Tamar, ‘Lie with me’” (v 7). disguised as a prostitute, stood by the road as Judah came by. Here we go again! Will Joseph, The scheme worked, with Tamar far from family influence, hav- asking for Judah’s signet and ing been hard done by in life, staff as guarantee of payment. feeling he deserves to “follow She was soon pregnant. his heart,” as they say? Listen: “He refused and said to his When Judah heard, he led the master’s wife, ‘Look, my master... effort to have her burned! That has committed all that he has to is, until she produced his ID! It is my hand…nor has he kept back a turning point when Judah con- anything from me but you, fesses, “She has been more right- because you are his wife. How eous than I” (v 26). Tamar ended then can I do this great wicked- up having twins, and her son ness, and sin against God?’” (vv Perez, who appeared second, put 8-9). Ah, that’s it! He appreciated Tamar by matchless grace into Potiphar’s trust, but he refused the very lineage of Christ (Mt 1:3)! to sin against God! Remember? “The Lord was with him.” But she kept at it “day by day” (v 10) 155
GENESIS CH. 39 trying to wear him down, then The advantage of the Bible one day grabbed his tunic and over dreams should be obvious. tried to coerce him down beside There were many clever people her. Joseph took off running, in Egypt, but they couldn’t leaving “his garment in her figure out what the dreams hand” (v 12). Oh no, another meant. Joseph’s dreams in his clothes line! Using it as “ev- childhood were obvious: unlikely idence” for the opposite of what as it seemed, Joseph would happened, she said it was proof someday be in a position of Joseph had started to disrobe in power and his brothers would her presence before she scared bow before him. him off. Back at the jail, two key figures Did Potiphar, the chief ex- in Pharaoh’s court, “the chief ecutioner, believe her? If so, butler and the chief baker,” had Joseph’s head would have been fallen into disfavor. How were removed by sundown! But to they “officers” of the court? keep the peace at home, Joseph Well, Pharaohs couldn’t be was unjustly incarcerated in voted out, so they were poisoned prison. And the conclusion? and carried out! Those who con- “BUT the Lord was with Jo- trolled the food and drink seph” (v 21). Are you in a place supply had to be trusted; these of temptation? Get out fast! two were not. They each had a Better to lose your job, even your dream, and in the morning Jo- reputation, than the fellowship seph “saw that they were of the Lord. sad” (Gen 40:6). They told him they couldn’t figure out their CHAPTER 40 THE DREAMER AND dreams. He replied, “Do not in- HIS DREAMS: Is Joseph’s time as slave- terpretations belong to God? Tell manager, then inmate-manager, the ideal them to me, please” (v 8). career path? Stay tuned! The baker’s dream was a Joseph didn’t have a Bible; they nightmare: “Within three days didn’t start showing up until the Pharaoh will lift off your head days of Joshua. If you don’t have from you” (v 19). Oh, no! But the one, or aren’t reading it, God butler’s dream had a happy con- will get your attention some- clusion. “Within three days Pha- how, and may speak through raoh will lift up your head and dreams. But be careful! restore you to your place” (v 13). There’s a big difference between lifting off or lifting up one’s head! 156
GENESIS 41:37 Joseph had a request for the seems to be going against you, butler: “Remember me when it is well with you, and please… SAY THIS! make mention of me to Pharaoh, Imagine if it were the other and get me out of this house” (v 14). How did that work way around — everyone for you, out? “The chief butler did not but God against you. What a remember Joseph” (v 23). Some horror story that would be! But things are hard to take, but now things are about to change, God’s plan involved split-sec- and drastically — from prison to ond timing, so Joseph, like us palace in one step. After years of sometimes, had to wait a little languishing, Joseph is an over- longer to be delivered. night success! Because Pharaoh was having some unsettling 41:1-37 FROM PRISON TO PALACE: dreams, too. When word got Even in the dark times, don’t forget: God around the palace, suddenly carries the key to every door standing in Joseph came back to the chief your way. butler’s mind. “I remember my faults this day” (v 9), he said, According to Genesis 41:1, and told about the remark- another two long years crawled able “young Hebrew man” (v by for Joseph. From the day he 12) he had met in prison who in- left Hebron to visit his brothers, terpreted their dreams. But it seemed downhill all the way. when Joseph is brought in, he Hated, betrayed, and sold by his clarifies: “It is not in me; God own kin. Bought as a slave for will give Pharaoh an answer” (v Potiphar’s house. Seduced, 16). God must get the glory! framed for attempted rape, and falsely imprisoned. Forgotten by Pharaoh recounts two weird the butler. Nonetheless, engraved dreams: seven skinny cows eat over the whole journey are the seven fat ones; seven shriveled golden words, “But the Lord was stalks consume seven plump with Joseph.” It reminds me of heads. Joseph explains: God is the statement, “What then shall warning Pharaoh of a cataclys- we say to these things? If God is mic famine that will ravage the for us, who can be against us?” whole Mediterranean basin. (Rom 8:31). When everything Seven years of plenty must be utilized to store up for the future. Pharaoh knows God is speaking. Who should oversee this massive preparation? Why, ex-con Joseph of course! 157
GENESIS 41:38 41:38-57 LOOK WHO’S VISITING came true, and the Scripture says, “The famine was in all EGYPT! From outcast to upper crust! lands” (v 54), “but,” the verse continues, “in all the land of Joseph, Number 2 Man in Egypt, is about to Egypt there was bread.” get some visitors. Now the author pans east and north across the Sinai Peninsula The concluding section of Genesis until he zooms in on a large 41 (vv 38-57) describes the mete- family table around which oric rise of Joseph in Egypt, now Jacob’s sons sit, staring at each age 30. He becomes second only other. They’re hungry and the to Pharaoh. The king’s signet, cupboard is bare. Action, says his authorizing signature, is Jacob! All of you but Benjamin, entrusted to Joseph. He gets the head for grain in Egypt. We’ve number 2 limousine: “He had been waiting for this — Joseph’s him ride in the second chariot dreams being fulfilled: “Now which he had; and they cried out Joseph was governor…And before him, ‘Bow the knee!’” (v Joseph’s brothers came and 43). On top of that, Pharaoh bowed down before him with arranges a royal wedding, their faces to the earth” (42:6). giving Joseph “Asenath, the God has a long memory. His will daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of is not sudden, but certain. Now On” in marriage (v 45). He criss- what? It gets better yet! crosses the land, overseeing the building of granaries and ap- 42:1-28 CAUGHT BETWEEN GOD’S pointing directors of this hercu- MILLSTONES: Longfellow wrote, “Though lean operation. “Joseph gathered the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind very much grain, as the sand of exceeding small.” the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable” (v 49). More than 20 years have passed since Joseph last saw his Joseph and Asenath also wel- brothers, but he recognized come two boys, Manasseh, them right away. They had come meaning “forgetting” and Ephraim, for some grain but would feel meaning “fruitful” because these some pain before this was done. wonderful blessings helped to And why? Because Joseph put behind him his hard and longed to forgive his brothers, lonely past, and had also but he wanted sincere repen- reminded him that good fruit takes time to grow, and God has brought a bountiful harvest into his life. But then Pharaoh's dreams 158
GENESIS 43:34 tance. So we read, “He acted as done to us?” (v 28) they said in a stranger to them and spoke panic. When they arrived home, roughly to them” (Gen 42:7). He they told the story. Jacob was accused them of being spies! overcome. Joseph gone. Simeon gone. And now Benjamin? Oh no, they said, “Your servants Never! But time passes. The are twelve brothers, the sons of famine remains. The grain dis- one man in the land of Canaan; appears. What to do? Ten men and in fact, the youngest is with head back to Egypt, Benjamin our father today, and one is no now riding with them. more” (v 13). Despite their pro- testations that they are “honest 42:29-43:34. SERVING UP HUMBLE men” (v 31), he told them they PIE: “No chastening seems to be joyful for must be tested. One brother the present, but painful; nevertheless, must stay confined in Egypt afterward...” (Heb 12:11). until they return with the youngest — Benjamin, Joseph’s Jacob’s sons head back to Egypt, only full brother. their first load of grain gone. Simeon awaits in prison there, The brothers are being ground and Benjamin is compelled to go between the pressures of circum- along, much to Jacob’s grief. In stance and the pangs of con- their saddlebags they carry dou- science: “We are truly guilty ble the money—the returned concerning our brother, for we funds from the last trip, and as saw the anguish of his soul much again for a new load. To when he pleaded with us, and hopefully sweeten their meeting we would not hear; therefore with this austere gentleman, this distress has come upon Zaphnath-Paaneah (that’s Jo- us” (v 21). This they spoke in seph’s Egyptian name, Gen their native Hebrew, and Joseph 41:45), they bring “a little balm understood every word! and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and al- Simeon was taken and bound monds” (43:11). When Joseph before them. The men sadly laid eyes on his little brother, he loaded up their donkeys with told his steward to order a noon- grain and started the long jour- time feast at his home, and ney back. At their first stop, one transport the men there. of them noticed — oh, no! — the money he had paid for the grain was mysteriously in the mouth of his sack! Each sack was the same. “What is this that God has 159
GENESIS 43:34 Oh, no! He’s going to make us 44:1-45:8 FAMILY REUNION! Life’s slaves for taking our money back the last time, they thought. fiery difficulties, if accepted from God, can How does it feel, fellows? Then Simeon is returned to them. burn off the dross and make us pure gold. When Joseph arrives, again they “bowed down before him” Following the unexpected meal (v 26). After a discussion about in the Grand Vizier’s home, their father, and greeting Benja- Jacob’s sons had left with a new min, Joseph had to leave the supply of grain. But also, un- room to weep. On his return, the known to them, was their double brothers were invited to the payment, and Joseph’s cup in table, and what do you know! Benjamin’s sack. Stopped just They were seated exactly ac- outside the city by the royal cording to their age! guard, the men are so sure of their innocence, they say: “With One thing Joseph still wanted whomever of your servants it is to know: if Benjamin was receiv- found, let him die, and we also ing preferred treatment from will be my lord’s slaves” (Gen Jacob, did the others respond in 44:9). What is their horror, then, envy as they had to him? when Benjamin’s sack is opened So “Benjamin’s serving was five to reveal the silver cup! Back to times as much as any of theirs” (v Joseph’s house they go, totally 34). But they were unfazed, “and demoralized, “and they fell were merry with him.” before him on the ground” (v 14). Here they were, experienc- Now one more test. How ing the hopeless despair of their would they respond if Benjamin brother in the pit, in the caravan, were taken captive? Had they in the slave market, and in the changed since Joseph’s rejec- prison. But then Joseph refuses tion? Once again, the grain sacks the older sons’ offer to be his were loaded and the money re- slaves, saying he just wants one turned. But this time Joseph’s — Benjamin! personal silver cup was inserted in Benjamin’s sack as well. They Now what Joseph had hoped were hardly out of town when for happens. Judah, the one who the long arm of the law nabbed led them in selling him, pleads them. They’re in deep trouble for his father and his grief if now, aren’t they! Benjamin doesn’t return. He offers himself to be enslaved instead. Joseph is overwhelmed 160
GENESIS 46:4 and commands the room to be authority, Joseph ceded the Land cleared, except for his family. of Goshen to them. Some of the richest grassland anywhere, it Then, “I am Joseph.” Stunned occupies the southeastern part silence. “Please come near to of the fertile Nile Delta. me,” he says. They come near and he continues: “Do not…be Joseph continues, “You shall grieved or angry with your- tell my father of all my glory in selves because you sold me here; Egypt, and of all that you have for God sent me before you to seen; and you shall hurry and preserve life” (45:3-5). They can’t bring my father down here” believe their ears! Or their eyes! (Gen 45:13). Listen to these words, dripping with grace: “God sent me before Interesting, isn’t it? In chapter you to…save your lives by a 42, when Jacob intoned, “All great deliverance. So now it was these things are against me” (v not you who sent me here, but 36), things were never more FOR God” (vv 7-8). Jacob than they were then. He didn’t know it yet, but God was What a sample of what every moving heaven and earth to sinner receives when, by faith, bring about His plan. we come to the cross. Though guilty of Christ’s death, He does Christian, do you know you’re not hold it against us, but a vital part of God’s plan? He is forgives us, and, through that working for you at this very mo- death, offers us eternal life! ment! Don’t lose heart; look up! 45:9-46:4 LAND O’ GOSHEN! It’s a Well, anyway, Pharaoh was Southern expression to evince surprise, the pleased with the news, and told kind Jacob’s sons felt at meeting Joseph! Joseph to provide them donkeys, carts, clothes, money, bread, and Having been reunited with his grain. Imagine Jacob seeing his long-alienated brethren, Joseph boys return, no doubt with some says there will be another five whooping and hollering included! years of famine. Why not retrieve Listen: “They told him, saying, their old father, Jacob, and bring ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is the whole family to Egypt? Sheep governor over all the land of herding was a despised occupa- Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood tion there, so with his sweeping still, because he did not believe them” (45:26). It didn’t take them long to pack, and soon they headed south. At 161
GENESIS 46:4 Beersheba, the southernmost tion the lesser is blessed by the town in Canaan, they paused to better” (Heb 7:7). offer a sacrifice of gratitude to the Lord, and that night God Time passes. When we see spoke to Jacob for the seventh Jacob next, he is 147. Joseph gets and final recorded time, saying, “I word that he is ailing. There will go down with you to Egypt” were some important things still (46:4), promising that the nation on his bucket list. First, he wants to come would eventually be led Joseph to swear an oath that back to the Promised Land. And Jacob’s bones would not be so into Goshen they came! buried in Egypt — the land, by the way, with the most amazing 47:1-48:22 THE SWITCHEROO: graves in the world! He wanted his body interred at Machpelah Strange, isn’t it? The one born first is never with the other patriarchs. Joseph agreed. Second, Jacob had been the firstborn — because grace triumphs thinking about his early desire for the double blessing of the over law. firstborn and the devious way he went about getting it. That In Genesis 47, Jacob acknowl- would never do now; he had edges, “The days of the years of learned too much about God’s my pilgrimage are one hundred grace. But he really felt Joseph, and thirty years” (v 9). Though the firstborn son of the woman the family is settled in Goshen, he should have had for his wife, the patriarch still considers him- Rachel, was the deserving one. self a pilgrim. He isn’t home yet. What if he adopted Joseph’s two boys and gave them each a por- “Beloved,” as Peter would tion? That’s it! And that’s how say, “I beg you as sojourners and love found a way. But when Jo- pilgrims, abstain from fleshly seph maneuvered his older son, lusts which war against the Manasseh, under Jacob’s right soul” (1 Pet 2:11). Don’t drive hand, and Ephraim to the left, your tent pegs in too deep; don’t Jacob shrewdly crossed his hands. let Egypt’s attractions do dam- It is not by right of law but by age to your soul. grace that God’s blessing comes! Now imagine the scene as 49:1-19 SELF-HONESTY: The portraits Joseph brings his old father in to meet Pharaoh — the ruler of the of these 12 men is hardly flattering, but it is world’s superpower. “And Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (v 7)! Re- fascinating. And God is at work! member: “Beyond all contradic- 162
GENESIS 42:19 As Genesis 48 draws to a close, the tribes that would come from Jacob gives a confession of faith them, we might wonder at times that encapsulates his life under whether we’re reading blessings the tutelage of God. It is included or curses! But remember: Jacob in the double blessing he gives has learned that, very often, it is Joseph by adopting Ephraim and the hard experiences that produce Manasseh, two young princes of the best results. Egypt. He says, “The God who has fed me all my life long to this These fellows, just like us, day, the Angel who has redeemed often resemble misshapen lumps me from all evil, bless the lads; let of clay, but when the Potter looks my name be named upon them, at the wheel, He sees what He and the name of my fathers can make of them, and us, with Abraham and Isaac; and let the right pressure applied in the them grow into a multitude in right way. If you wonder if it the midst of the earth” (vv 15- worked, read Revelation 21, and 16). Remember young Jacob’s you will see the names of these “If” at Bethel? “If God will be boys engraved on the gates of with me, and keep me in this glory (v.12)! way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to 42:3-19 JACOB’S PROPHETIC put on…then the Lord shall be my God” (28:20-21). Sure enough, BLESSINGS: Both the struggles and the God had done all He promised, and so much more. And so you victories are in God’s plan for His people, as will find Him today — generous and faithful to the end, no ifs we see in this lesson. about it. It’s amazing how different chil- Then, as chapter 49 begins, we dren in the same family can be. see Jacob gather his boys around So with Jacob’s sons: his bed. He has something to say to each one. The erstwhile de- “Reuben,…my firstborn, my ceiver has learned through the might and the beginning of school of hard knocks that my strength,…unstable as honesty really is the best policy. water, you shall not excel” So boys, he says, let’s get real! (Gen 49:3-4). And he certainly does. As we read through the very accurate Oh, the burden of a great portraits of Jacob’s dozen, and of potential, squandered through double-mindedness! The New Testament “Jacob” (James is the Greek) writes “to the twelve tribes” (Jas 1:1) and says, If you 163
GENESIS 42:19 don’t want to be like sea waves, exist, confusion and every evil “ask in faith, with no doubting” thing are there. But the wisdom (Jas 1:6). that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to And then, “Simeon and Levi,… yield, full of mercy and good instruments of cruelty” (v 5) fruits.” And that’s how we can would benefit from James’ words become overcomers! (1:19-20) to be “slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not pro- 49:20-50:26 BLESSING, WORSHIP- duce the righteousness of God.” ING, LEANING ON HIS STAFF: What a way to wrap up your life — blessing others, Judah has a lengthy blessing worshiping God, a pilgrim to the end. we do well to read, especially as James (2:13) recaps Judah’s life Let’s continue with Jacob’s bless- (and Jesus’ victory, too): “Mercy ings. “Bread from Asher shall be triumphs over judgment.” Then rich, and he shall yield royal Zebulun “shall become a haven dainties” (Gen 49:20), but James for ships” (Gen 49:13), and James warns, “Your gold and silver are (2:8) says your life will be a haven corroded, and their corrosion for the needy, when you “love will be a witness against you.” It your neighbor as yourself.” is unwise to “have heaped up treasure in the last days” (Jas “Issachar,” said Jacob, “is a 5:3). Let’s invest in heaven. strong donkey, lying down be- tween two burdens;…he bowed “Naphtali,” the region from his shoulder to bear a burden” which the disciples came, “is a (Gen 49:14-15). He knows how deer let loose; he uses beautiful to both rest and labor, the link words” (Gen 49:21). Yes, says between faith and works (Jas James (4:8) to all those who are 2:14-26). Christ’s disciples, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to “Dan,” we read, “shall be a you.” That’s how you find lib- serpent by the way” (Gen 49:17). erty and joy in witness. Yes, says James (3:7-8), “Every kind of beast…has been tamed Again Joseph, like Judah, has a by mankind. But no man can lengthy blessing, that’s all about, tame the tongue. It is an unruly well, blessing! He pictures the evil, full of deadly poison.” believer like a fruitful branch. Watch that tongue! James (3:18) would add, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in Gad follows Dan, and “a troop peace by those who make peace.” shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last” (Gen 49:19, KJV). James 3:16-17 explains: “Where envy and self-seeking 164
GENESIS 50:26 Lastly, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;…he shall devour the prey” (Gen 49:27). Far better to “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jas 5:16). Now right in the middle of Jacob prophesying, we find this: “I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!” (Gen 49:18). Is this not the prayer of every concerned but hopeful parent who has watched their child struggle and perhaps fail in life? But God is the God of families, and loves happy endings. Wait on God! Chapter 50 now concludes the book, first with the death of Jacob and his last trip back to Mamre. Then Joseph dies at 110 years old, first securing the promise that, when the Israelites eventually leave Egypt, they will take his bones with them—what will become a 400-year delay, then a 40-year funeral procession! But that must wait for our next book study: Exodus, the greatest escape in human history! I hope you’ll join me then. LOOKING AHEAD: EXODUS GOD GOES TENTING: The title refers to the “exit” of the children of Israel from Egypt, a continuation of the narrative begun in Genesis. The book reveals many of God’s attributes, His redemption plan through the blood of the Lamb, the outline of His law, and principles by which He is to be worshiped. It also explains the priesthood in Israel and points forward to God’s plan to have all His people as a kingdom of worshipping and serving priests in His eternal Home. For more of Jabe’s books and other helpful resources, visit: www.everydaypublications.org For hundreds of helpful Bible teaching videos and articles by Jabe, visit www.uplook.tv (videos) and www.uplook.org (articles) 165
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