tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post916854151619136066..comments2023-08-27T06:33:12.637-05:00Comments on The Bible in a Year - and Beyond!: Tuesday, January 12th: Genesis 35-37 ~ DanaeTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12045517118866436340noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-89771547111376008512016-01-16T11:48:28.529-06:002016-01-16T11:48:28.529-06:00I read a sermon that contended that there was a bi...I read a sermon that contended that there was a bit more to it than just sibling rivalry over favouritism. <br /><br />It seems that Jacob had already taken the firstborn rights away from Reuben and given them to Joseph when it came to authority over the brothers. Joseph's coat may have been, not only a statement of favouritism, but also a symbol of that authority he was granted over his brothers. The greatest antagonism towards Joseph was from the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, while the ones who attempted to release him from sons of Leah. Joseph's report was not one of a tattle tale (he was already 17), but more likely a logical and necessary part of his role and authority as a supervisor. After all, it was 50 miles to Shechem (which had been the scene of the slaughter of the men of that city years before) and 70 miles to Dothan - Jacob would not have taken this assignment lightly and that responsibility would only be given to someone who had proven his capabilities as a leader. The intensity of the brothers' reaction to Joseph's dreams likely indicates their own fears of Joseph assuming great power and prominence over them. Fanciful dreams are scoffed at, but it seems the brothers were actually concerned about Joseph's power over them. Also, as a type of Christ, it makes sense that it was a rejection of his authority, just as Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders of His day for His audacity to teach as one having authority. Joseph's brothers rejected his authority over them, and combined with the foreshadowing of his dreams, concluded that they had to do away with him to protect their own position.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12045517118866436340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-88014537017983581062016-01-13T15:21:10.413-06:002016-01-13T15:21:10.413-06:00One thing I noticed for the first time this time a...One thing I noticed for the first time this time around was Genesis 35:8 Soon after this, Rebekah's old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means "oak of weeping").<br /><br />I looked up Matthew Henry's commentary and he indicated that it is likely that when Jacob returned to Canaan, his mother Rebekah was probably dead. And so Jacob took his mother's old nurse into his family to be a companion for his wives and instructor to his children. Clearly she was much loved, as indicated by the name of the oak beneath which they buried her. <br /><br /><br />Back to the Joseph story - it is encouraging that God can use us, flawed as we are, in His plan. Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12045517118866436340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-23130132566153359052016-01-12T20:47:18.420-06:002016-01-12T20:47:18.420-06:00The story of Joseph was the musical for our Spring...The story of Joseph was the musical for our Spring Concert last year and seeing it acted out really showed how damaging the favouritism to Joseph in relation to the other brothers. How that coat must have irked them as a tangible symbol of their father loving Joseph more.<br /><br />This stood out for me:<br /><br />26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.<br /><br />It was Judah that sought to gain financially from selling their brother and it was Reuben that tried to save Joseph. One might assume that because Jesus was a descendent from the line of Judah that Judah would have had a more stellar reputation but as Danae mentioned, we see how God used these fallen patriarchs even though they were far from perfect. Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02770898936799604859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-36005364095467269892016-01-12T17:06:04.032-06:002016-01-12T17:06:04.032-06:00I wondered too why Joseph would tell his brothers ...I wondered too why Joseph would tell his brothers his dreams, when clearly that would not improve their view of him, but then, I also see the rivalry at times between my own children, in spite of the fact that I don't favour one over another (at least not intentionally), and I wonder if to a certain extent that is just part of human nature that we recognize and make an effort to change as we mature (hopefully). <br /><br />I love the story of Joseph in particular. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it again. Miriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764103317419913495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-38420570900334577432016-01-12T07:35:12.751-06:002016-01-12T07:35:12.751-06:00Good point when you mentioned how Joseph should ha...Good point when you mentioned how Joseph should have known better when showing off his new coat, or the way he told his brothers about the dreams he had. I think Joseph had the right intentions, but was foolish in how he presented himself at times. This lead to his brothers hating him even more and sining by how they "got rid" of Joseph, they even considered murdering him. I pray for wisdom in how I present my thoughts to others, I don't want to give the wrong impression or show a had example. Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983845317182469954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094248114996261058.post-21703144574176149332016-01-12T07:34:25.074-06:002016-01-12T07:34:25.074-06:00It does appear as though Joseph is egging his brot...It does appear as though Joseph is egging his brothers on to do harm to him. This story also reminds me to not show favouritism to our children. Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00378594821836169485noreply@blogger.com