Author: Beth Duncan

Genesis 37:23-24 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

If you look down at verse 26, Judah, whose line is the line of Jesus, is the brother who hatches the plan to SELL Joseph to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him. The reason he proposes selling Joseph is because if the brothers just kill Joseph and cover it up, they gain nothing. At least this way they’ll earn a little coin in the process.

Genesis 37:25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

Let that sink in a minute. Judah is the one who suggested selling Joseph for a profit. Yet God uses Judah to establish Jesus’s family line. I need to remember that the next time I am tempted to discount someone because of the things they have done.

Genesis 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 

Precious Savior, We are all guilty of passing judgment on others. We are all guilty of using what others have done as a measure of how worthy or useful they can be. Thank You that You do not work that way. Help us to be more like You in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 37:27 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.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 37:19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 

My first reaction is, ‘They can’t be serious.” I know Joseph is annoying, but to kill him? That’s extreme. And while I applaud what Reuben is trying to do–”Let’s not take his life….Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him…”–I’m wondering if he is trying to navigate a line of pleasing God and man with this bizarre request.

Genesis 37:20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

Part of me wants to say, “Joseph’s brothers plan to KILL him! At least Reuben is doing SOMETHING.” But is that something enough? Shouldn’t Reuben take a bolder stand against his brothers? If he did, would that just make him a target, too? Would that get him killed in addition to Joseph being killed?

Genesis 37:21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.

Precious Savior, I’m seeing extremes and asking questions, which I know makes You happy. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13). I also feel You calling us to boldness when it comes to standing up for others in Your name. Help us to understand what You are calling us to do so that we can shine Your light for all. Amen.

Genesis 37:22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 37:14-15 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem, a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

Joseph is annoying. He’s the favorite, he doesn’t have to work as hard as his brothers, AND he tattles to daddy when the work of the brothers isn’t up to snuff. I absolutely get the brothers being annoyed. HOWEVER, the brothers’ solution in verse 18 is to KILL Joseph. That seems extreme.

Genesis 37:16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”

It seems so extreme that it’s got me wondering if it were included in this story in this way precisely so that we would pay attention. Murder? That seems like a lot. Why do the brothers react so strongly? What can we, what should we learn about God and His ways from this extreme behavior?

Genesis 37:17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 

Precious Savior, I honestly have no idea if I get it right when I dig into Your word, but You know my heart. You know that I earnestly seek to draw closer to You through my studies. Thank You for the ability to ask questions, to pay attention, looking for Your wisdom as I read Your Word. Thank You. Amen.

Genesis 37:18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 37:9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Today’s scripture reminds me of Gen 34, Dinah’s defilement, the brothers’ ability to move things towards healing or towards further destruction. Joseph is, admittedly, a lot. And now his father is sending him to Shechem to check on his brothers’ work. This is not going to go well.

Genesis 37:10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 

Once again, Shechem is the flashpoint. Once again, the brothers will have an opportunity to move things towards healing or towards further disrepair in the family. And we know that Jacob’s family has copious amounts of dysfunction going on within the ranks. And here comes Joseph–chosen, blessed, oblivious–and things are about to change drastically.

Genesis 37:11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Precious Savior, Thank You that through You, with You, in You, we can rise above any dysfunction in our families. Thank You that with You, we are not doomed to repeat past mistakes. Help us to seek You first, seek to know You better, to glorify Your name. Guide us in our thoughts, words, and actions. Always. Amen.

Genesis 37:12-13 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “Very well,” he replied.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 37:5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 

When I began reading about Joseph, I thought, “Isn’t there always that one kid?” Eventually, he’ll grow into himself, but at the moment he’s a quirkfest that you want to thump as often as you want to hug. We learned yesterday that Joseph is “that kid” in his family. He is young, only 17. He is his father’s favorite and everyone knows it, and he tattled to his father about his brothers’ work in the fields. Not an auspicious beginning.

Genesis 37:6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 

Now today we see that Joseph has had a dream, which very clearly shows him as having power over his brothers. So what does he do? Tell his brothers, who, of course, are NOT thrilled to hear that even in a dream Joseph has power over them. Of course this isn’t going to go well.

Genesis 37:7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Precious Savior, Thank You that who we were at 17, 27, 37, 47 (trust me, I could go on) is not who we are forever. Thank You that with each day, each year of living, we have the ability to grow wiser, more mature, closer to You. Help us, every day, to seek to become more like You in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 37:8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 37:1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.

An interesting observation: Verses 1 and 2 call him Jacob. Verse 3 calls him Israel. A quick search about why he is referred to as Jacob (trickster) after he wrestles with God and is given the name Israel (struggles with God or God prevails), shows that even scholars disagree on the reasoning. Does it have to do with the fleshly nature of Jacob and the divine nature of Israel? Maybe. Maybe not.

Genesis 37:2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.

What I can take comfort in is the fact that even after Jacob wrestled with God and was given a new name, he didn’t become perfect. He was still human, fleshly, flawed. And his humanity did not negate his usefulness to God. It wasn’t that God used him only once he had reached perfection. Jacob was a hot mess of a human, and God used him mightily, faults and all. 

Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that You don’t need me to be perfect to use me. I try every day to be more like You, and I fail every day in a million little ways. Thank You that You can use me even though I am so very fallibly human. Thank You that perfection is not required to be Your deeply loved child. Amen.

Genesis 37:4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Have a blessed day. 

Genesis 36:31-33 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned: Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah. When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.

Esau has at least seven kings in his family line. Seven. That’s a lot. He had a repaired relationship with his brother. He had material wealth and success. I’m betting he’d say he had a good life. But does he feel the yawn of lack where God should be? Does he feel the emptiness?

Genesis 36:34-36 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith. When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.

There is this part of me, mostly tamed at this point, that wants to stomp and pout and say, “That’s not fair, God! He willingly gave up Your blessing, yet he is living a rich, full life without You? How is that ok?” But God reminds me that my job is not to judge. My job is to pray, to lift others up, to shine His light. He’ll take care of the rest.

Genesis 36:37-39 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king. When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king. When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.

Precious Savior, It’s easy to get bent out of shape when I see someone who is not living a life aligned with You, but who has all the trappings of a life that the world approves of, deems a success. Help me remember that things aren’t always what they seem. Help me remember that it’s not my job to judge, that You call me to pray, to lift others up, to shine Your light. Help me to trust that You will take care of the rest. Always. Amen.

Genesis 36:40-43 These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied.This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 36:20-21 These were the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the region: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These sons of Seir in Edom were Horite chiefs.

Yesterday, commentary mentioned that while Esau and his family were not spiritually blessed, they were materially blessed, and that was what Esau preferred. (After all, he sold his birthright blessing for a bowl of stew at one point.) There were many chiefs in Esau’s line, a sign of earthly power and influence.

Genesis 36:22-24 The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister. The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs c in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.

This all puts me in mind of the fact that we are asked by God to give up our notion of what’s good so that He can give us what’s best. I’m sure Esau thought that his descendants having political power and earthly possessions was good, but if he had given himself to God, what spiritual blessings could he have inherited? We will never know.

Genesis 36:25-27 The children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah. The sons of Dishon Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan.

Precious Savior, The world wants us to be satisfied with material possessions that the world sees as good. And it’s nice to have those things, to be someone in the eyes of the world. But the things of this world are not lasting. Help us to be willing to lay down what’s good in our eyes for what’s better in Yours. Help us not to get caught up in things of this world. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 36:28-30 The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. These were the Horite chiefs: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These were the Horite chiefs, according to their divisions, in the land of Seir.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 36:15-16 These were the chiefs among Esau’s descendants: The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, a Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah.

A quick google search turns up that Esau’s genealogy is presented here “to establish a historical and genealogical connection” between Esau and Israel. And that makes perfect sense to me as when I introduce my boys to a family member they’ve not met before, I establish the connection between that person and us so they understand how we are related.

Genesis 36:17 The sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom; they were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Knowing that connection helps to understand the relationship. Sometimes it raises questions: “Well, why doesn’t…?”. Sometimes it provides answers: “Oh, now I understand why….” But I’m not going to lie…my teflon brain absolutely kicks in when I see this long list, my eyes get a bit glassy, and it’s hard for me to focus. Help me, Jesus.

Genesis 36:18 The sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: Chiefs Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah.

Precious Savior, Thank You for family, for connections, for relationships. Thank You for the understanding that can come from knowing how these connections fit. Forgive me for my teflon brain when I see lengthy genealogy. Help me to see what You have for me in this scripture. Amen.

Genesis 36:19 These were the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these were their chiefs.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 36:10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Today’s scripture has me thinking about family–the family you are born into, the family you choose and create through marriage and the family you choose through the friendships you nurture in life.

Genesis 36:11-12 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz. Esau’s son Eliphaz also had a concubine named Timna, who bore him Amalek. These were grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.

These people are so important in life, they love, nurture, and support us through all of life’s ups and downs. They may not be people we talk with daily–though they may be–but when we need prayers, when we have joys to share or burdens to bear, these are the people who help sustain us. They are crucial to a life well lived.

Genesis 36:13 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the amazing family You have blessed me with–family I was born into, family I chose and created through marriage, family I have nurtured by choice and through friendship. These are my people, and I am so incredibly thankful for each and every one of them. Thank You. Amen.

Genesis 36:14 The sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

Have a blessed day.