Lesson 24
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CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN [Gen. 37:1-36], Verse Ten [Gen. 37:10]. This dream is impious to Jacob, for it casts reflection upon Joseph's dead mother, Rachel.
Verse Twenty-eight [Gen. 37:28]. Perhaps the Midianites and the Ishmaelites are the same people. We are not sure. The student should trace upon the map the wanderings of Joseph.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT [Gen. 38:1-30], Verse One [Gen. 38:1]. Potsherds have been found from this time, thus showing that there was such a town as Adullam. Note how the simple facts of the story are told. Vice is not made seductive nor enlarged upon, as it is, for example, in the Joseph sura of the Koran. Verse Eighteen. Probably the signet here spoken of was a small cylinder with the name on it, and the bracelet was perhaps the cord from which the cylinder hung.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE [Gen. 39:1-23]. During this time, the Hyksos were reigning in Egypt. Note again the straightforwardness of the narrative, in contrast to Mohammed's account of the same event in the Joseph sura of the Koran. We are not told the name of the Pharoah under whom Joseph served; the name of the officer, however, was Potiphar, who was an Egyptian. Note the wonderful human interest of this account, and the vividness with which the story is told. Note, too, in what a wonderful manner the Lord prepared the way for the children of Israel to enter Egypt. The fact that Isaac was told not to go down into Egypt (Genesis 26:2) is not proof that Jacob disobeyed in going down (Genesis 46:3). This story of Joseph fits in exceedingly accurately with its Egyptian background,
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE [Gen. 45:1-28], Verse Five [Gen. 45:5]. Joseph recognizes God's hand in all his life.
CHAPTER FIFTY [Gen. 50:1-26], Verse Twenty [Gen. 50:20]. Note how God uses even wicked men to bring about His plans. This is a remarkable illustration of the way in which God makes the wrath of men to praise Him. The reason why Joseph was sold as a captive was that the needs of the Israelites might be supplied. Rather than complain about his fate, Joseph sees the hand of God in it.
The student should note especially the forty-ninth Chapter of Genesis [Gen. 49:1-33]. As he studies, he should make an outline of what is said about each son of Jacob, according to the following example:
| Verses 3-4 REUBEN | my firstborn
my might the beginning of my strength |
Verse ten of Chapter forty-nine [Gen. 49:10] is ambiguous, although it is commonly accepted as a prophecy referring to the Messiah. Does it mean: "Until Shiloh come," or, "Until he come to Shiloh"? Some think that the word "Shiloh" is not intended to be a proper name and so translate the phrase thus: "Until he come to whom it is." Other translations have been suggested. It is a difficult passage, and we cannot be dogmatic in interpreting it.
EXERCISES
- Outline in detail the life of Joseph,
- What verses throw light upon Joseph's character?
- Why was Joseph's dream impious to Jacob? Genesis 37:10.
- What kings were reigning in Egypt during this time?
- Was Jacob disobedient in going down into Egypt?
- Outline what is said in Genesis 49:1-33 about each son as the notes do for Reuben.
- From which tribe did our Lord come? Cf. Hebrews 7:14.
- Do we definitely know what the word "Shiloh" means?
- In the light of the following references, write the history of each one of these sons of Jacob (except Joseph and Benjamin) as this history is found in the book of Genesis:
REUBEN: Genesis 29:32; 30:14; 35:22; 37:21ff.; 42:22ff.
SIMEON and LEVI: Genesis 29:33, 34; 34:25; 42:24.
JUDAH: Genesis 29:35; 43:3; 44:18ff.; 46:28.
ZEBULUN: Genesis 30:20; 35:23.
ISSACHAR: Genesis 30:18; 35:23.
DAN: Genesis 30:6.
GAD: Genesis 30:11.
ASHER: Genesis 30:13.
NAPHTALI: Genesis 30:8; 35:25.
- Read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews [Heb. 11:1-40] as a commentary upon the book of Genesis.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 443: "Now Thank We All Our God."
No. 446: "Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee."