09 VAYESHEV (and he dwelt); Gen 37:1-40:23, Mat 19&20

[Bruce Bertram]

Now we get introduced to Joseph, and hear a little bit about his ability to interpret dreams, which gets him into trouble with his brothers but later helps to elevate him to the second most powerful person in the world at the time. Chapter 38 is an odd interlude telling us of the problems with Judah and his sons and one of his daughters-in-law, Tamar. The oldest two sons do not behave as they should, so Adonai takes them out. Judah is reluctant for the same thing to happen to his youngest son, and so avoids a marriage for him to Tamar. Tamar decides to go straight to the top in her quest to gain a child, and poses as a prostitute to become impregnated by Judah. Interestingly, this shows that the procedure later outlined in the Law (Deut. 25:5) was already being practiced. After being sold to Egyptians (by Midianites) Joseph rises to a place of prominence with Potiphar, but is brought down by the lying machinations of Potiphar's wife. While in prison, Joseph meets a cupbearer and a baker and helps interpret their dreams, but the cupbearer forgets all about Joseph until Pharoah has a dream later.

Meanwhile back in Matthew (:)) Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce (kind of an interesting contrast to Genesis 38 ) blesses the children, and tells a rich guy that getting eternal life might be a little harder than simply following a few commands, perhaps even to the giving up of worldly wealth. I do not think Jesus was teaching poverty as the only way to God, I just think He was addressing a core issue that is frequently a problem for wealthy individuals.

29"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last; and the last, first." (Matthew 19:29-30 NASB95)

Jesus bookends the parable of the workers during a day in the vineyard with the same quote as verse 30 above, and later corrects a couple of disciples who want preferential treatment in Jesus' kingdom by reinforcing the concept of "he who wants to be first should be last" (or least). In and around these things Jesus continues to heal people and speak of His fast approaching death.

Shalom

[Bruce Bertram]

Genesis 37:1- 40:23; Amos 2:6-3:8; Matthew 19&20; Acts 7:9-16

Five times in Matthew 19 and 20 Jesus speaks about humility, six times if you count Him mentioning His coming crucifixion (20:17-19). Three times (19:30, 20:16, and 20:27) He directly (and indirectly) states that the "last shall be first," once in response to the rich young ruler ("hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom") and once concerning marriage (both the reason to avoid divorce and also that some avoid marriage).

Joseph back in Genesis 37-40 goes through humbling experiences, first being sold into slavery, and then reduced to jail after rising to a position of prominence in Potiphar's house. Joseph could've reacted with hard heart and hateful attitude, but I doubt that would've gotten him very far in Potiphar's house or the jail. He stayed humble, acknowledging that God was in charge, and worked his way into responsible positions.

Joseph's brothers are obviously concerned about position, being upset at Joseph's 'favorite' status with dad and probably about the dreams too. They don't want Joseph to rule over them and decide to make it to where he never will have the chance. Unfortunately for them God has other plans. Jesus' teaching on 'least and greatest' is evident in this tale, both to Joseph personally (three times elevated from least to greatest) and to his brothers (later on when they have to ask him for food). I wonder what would've happened had Joseph's brothers practiced the 'least and greatest' teaching, humbled themselves, and allowed God's plan to go forward?

Genesis 38 is an interesting side note. At first it seems to interrupt the narrative about Joseph, until you dig in a little. See, the child of Tamar by Judah (Perez) is mentioned again in the book of Ruth.

12“Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:12 NASB95)

If you read the entire book of Ruth it will make more sense. Elimelech (his name means 'God is king') goes to Moab with his wife and two sons. While there, he gets Moabite women for wives for his sons, but he ends up dying. His wife Naomi decides to return to Israel, and one of her daughters-in-law (Ruth) is determined to go with her. When they get there, through a series of interesting coincidences, Ruth ends up marrying Boaz (through the law of the kinsman redeemer and also to provide an heir for his relative Elimelech). Then we find out that Ruth is the great-grandmother of David, and so a Moabite woman ends up in the line of Jesus.

But the real surprise is that Boaz is a descendant of Perez (Ruth 4:18-22), who was regarded as a son of Judah and founded a clan in Israel. So not only was there a Moabitess in the line of David and Jesus, there was also a son of a Canaanite woman (although it is not specifically mentioned in the text that Tamar is a Canaanite) in the line of all three. The name of Perez shows up again in various other places, so he ends up being quite important.

So it just goes to show, what at first appears to be a strange interruption in the story of Joseph turns out to be a very important chapter telling us about the Messiah's line. This really shouldn't have surprised me, because the entire Bible is about the Messiah in one way or the other. This is just another nifty twist in the long saga of God moving to reconcile the world to Himself through Jesus.

Shalom

[Bruce Bertram]

Genesis 37:1- 40:23; Amos 2:6-3:8; Matthew 19&20; Acts 7:9-16

7It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:7-9 NASB95)

It’s extremely important to note in the verses above that Joseph is saying if he had sex with his master’s wife he would be sinning against God. He would, of course, also be sinning against Potiphar and Potiphar’s wife, but the main concern is that ultimately the sin would be against God Himself. Especially since God is with Joseph, blessing him financially and keeping him from harm. Joseph knows that God is the one who is taking care of him, and sinning with Potiphar’s wife would cause harm to God’s reputation and plans. Even Potiphar knows that the blessings he is experiencing are because of God.

3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:3 NASB95)

It is helpful to us to realize that Someone is always watching, whether we realize it or not. If we sin, the sin is ultimately against God and He sees even when we think no one is around to notice what we do. Hagar was aware that God saw her, and called Him by that name.

13Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?” (Genesis 16:13 NASB95)

Laban also was at least partly aware that God was watching.

50“If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.” (Genesis 31:50 NASB95)

This can be an intimidating idea, or it can be a comforting one, depending on our relationship with God. If we are doing something wrong, we are uncomfortable with how He sees us, but if we are properly reconciled and practicing righteousness then we are glad that He sees us and protects us.

Since God saw Joseph, and Joseph knew it, isn’t it surprising that he ends up in jail anyway? Joseph didn’t sin, yet paid a price of a several year jail sentence anyway. Why didn’t God arrange to keep Joseph where he was since he was innocent? I’m guessing it was because jail is where God wanted Joseph to go. I think it’s also not reading too much into the text to see that it was time Potiphar (and his wife) lost his blessings because of the unrighteous acts of his spouse. We don’t know what happened to Potiphar after this, but it’s a safe bet that he was shaking a little when Joseph ends up the second most powerful person in the kingdom. Potiphar wasn’t too smart, you see, because apparently he didn’t investigate thoroughly as he should’ve, so he lost all that management ability from God working in Joseph.

What Joseph lost in material blessings will be regained, which is mentioned by Jesus in our Matthew section.

29“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30“But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. (Matthew 19:29-30 NASB95)

God sees everything, and knows without question when we are doing things right and lose anyway. He is not only a God who sees, but one who rewards for faithful service too. We have this faith, that we who follow what God says in all details and in spite of the threat of losing what we have will reclaim all that and more besides.

6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NASB95)

What wonderful comfort there is in our God who sees!

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:9-11 NASB95)

Shalom

[Bruce Bertram]

Vayashev Genesis 37:1 – 40:23; Amos 2:6 – 3:8; Matthew 19 and 20; Acts 7:9-16

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” (Acts 7:51-53 ESV)

In Genesis 37 Joseph’s brothers are said to hate him because he was his father’s favorite. More hate comes after Joseph dreams that he will be a ruler over his family. Verse 11 records that the brothers were jealous, so they sell him to some Ishmaelites in order to get rid of him and his dreams of domination.

Stephen in our Acts 7 passage also says that the brothers were jealous (verse 9). He’s on his way to his climactic statement that I quoted at the head of this article, making the case that Israel has always rejected God or the people who God sends. Acts 7 has a whole list of those rejections.

What is jealousy? The dictionary defines it as “feeling resentment,” “suspicious fears,” and “vigilant in maintaining or guarding something.” We might also say that jealousy doesn’t want to share with others, sometimes rightly (like ‘sharing’ a wife or husband with another) and sometimes wrongly (combined with envy meaning wanting what someone else has earned). As with most emotions or drives, jealousy can be practiced two different ways – the right way and the wrong way. God is jealous rightly, both for His name (He will not share His glory with another) and for His people (as He is for Israel). When man is jealous though, it’s not always accompanied by good desires and good actions. A husband can be suspiciously jealous of a wife that might (or might not) be straying, or he can be like Phinehas (Numbers 25:11) and defend God or God’s Word.

Paul says that he wants to make Israel jealous, so that some might be saved (Romans 11:14). Some believers in Jesus today are saying they want to act as ‘Jewish’ as possible for the same reason. I’m guessing Paul meant that if Jews saw the benefits of Jesus they would want them also. But it’s a little bit more of a mystery why some today want to make Jews jealous by being more “Jewish.” When Jews get jealous in the Bible accounts, people tend to get sold into slavery or crucified.

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. (Acts 17:1-9 ESV)

So I don’t know that we should try to make Jews jealous by our own efforts. Perhaps we should just do our best to follow Him, and let Him take care of the details. He says He has a plan, just like He had a plan with Joseph and his brothers.

21 They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. (Deuteronomy 32:21 ESV)

Believers in Jesus (especially those who are not part of Israel physically or have been excommunicated) are probably the “foolish nation” and “those who are no people.” It could be some other foolish nation that is not a people, I suppose, but I can’t think of who else would be so perfectly suited for the task.

God says He is going to provoke Jews to jealousy because they provoked Him with idol worship. He does this because He wants to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that the idols are nothing. God is the only God and will not suffer the constructs of man that are no gods at all. What He wants is repentance, and for all to come to Him for the life that only He has. Most of the time it seems that the jealousy of Israel doesn’t come out in the best ways. Hopefully one day soon they will change their tune and reconcile with God because jealousy will move them in a good direction.

I don’t think the story of Joseph is intended to be a direct action-for-action story of Jesus. Sometimes we over-analyze history or parables too much. But there are similarities which I think are intentional. Jewish leaders were jealous of Jesus because they wanted to keep the power they thought they had earned, and didn’t want to share it. Unfortunately for them, this lead to rejecting the Prophet promised by Moses (just like in many ways they rejected Moses Acts 7:39). They put Him in the earth but He didn’t stay there.

In the case of the brothers of Joseph, their rejection of him meant the salvation of Israel. Fortunately for us, the rejection of Jesus means salvation too. God brought good results out of wrongful jealousy in these two cases. Let’s hope that the third time is a charm.

Shalom
Bruce