Bible Commentaries
Genesis 37

Introduction

JOSEPH IN TROUBLE

(Genesis 37-39)

As a lad Joseph experienced two strange dreams. In his first dream he beheld his brothers’ sheaves

which they were binding in the field, making obeisance to his sheaf. In his second dream, the sun and the

moon and eleven stars made obeisance to him. These dreams seemed to predict that Joseph would be the

most prominent member of the family. Because of this his brothers hated him all the more. When they

saw him afar off, coming to learn of their affairs for his father, they "conspired against him to slay him."

And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and

cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will

become of his dreams (Gen. 37:19-20).

Reuben, the oldest of the brothers, would not agree to such a thing.

And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no

hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again (37:22).

So when Reuben left they stripped Joseph of his coat of many colors and cast him into the pit.

Looking toward the east his brethren saw a caravan of merchants approaching, and Judah said, "Come,

and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites." So they lifted Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty

pieces of silver. (p.124)

And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they rent

the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now

whether it be thy son’s coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath

devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon

his loins, and mourned for his son many days (37:31-34).

So the result was that Joseph was taken into Egypt. "And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto

Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard."

This is the Bible account of the heartless cruelty of Joseph’s brothers and of his escape from death.

Some questions arise which can be considered with profit. Should Joseph have reported to his father

what his brothers were doing? ". . . and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report." Obviously

Joseph saw that some of his brothers were dealing deceitfully, and told Jacob of it. Does a man have a

responsibility to report wrongdoing when he sees it? If we see a felony committed, should we hold our

peace? Does reporting a felony make us informers? And should that be held against us? When we are

expected to make a report on someone’s dishonesty, can we in good conscience cover up dishonesty for

fear of retribution? Should Jacob have sent Joseph to check up on his brothers? Why not? After all Jacob

had the overall responsibility, and he would need to know how things were being handled. He had to

send someone who was honest and dependable, and so it seems right and natural that he would send

Joseph. Another question that is frequently asked is, "Did Jacob not realize that giving Joseph a coat of

many colors would cause envy among his other sons and make Joseph obnoxious to them?" What should

have been done in a case like this? Shall we refrain from expressing appreciation of the good because we

fear to offend the bad? As this whole situation is considered there seems to be no valid reason why Jacob

should not show his appreciation for Joseph with a gift of a coat of many colors. No doubt this would

bring Joseph to the (p.125) attention of everyone, but telling the truth would do this for anybody.

No doubt Joseph may have been quite unaware that his brothers hated him so bitterly. A humble

person dreaming that he would become prominent and powerful might speak of it to his family because

it was such a strange and exciting dream. After all Joseph was seventeen years of age, and dreams of this

nature could surprise and impress him, so that he would want to share them with his family. Actually

these dreams of his were valid. They predicted what would happen later in his life. This gives pause for

thought. God can speak in dreams. There are several examples of this in the Bible.

In these "last days" God speaks to all who will hear through His Son, but this does not rule out the

possibility that He might speak in dreams even today. When this happens, there may be no doubt in the

heart and mind of such a person that God has a message for him.

Some feel that Joseph was honorable and trustworthy in all his ways because of prenatal influence. It

is written that Jacob loved Rachel very deeply, and psychologists say that a child born of a marriage

where true love is involved has a better opportunity of having a well-balanced personality. Apparently

love between parents has a definite effect upon the child. On the other hand, it is possible that Cain was

greatly beloved because he was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. Noah may have loved every one of

his sons, but the record is clear that one was unworthy. This whole idea of prenatal influence remains

uncertain and obscure.

In the record of Joseph the serious truth is revealed that a person who is obedient to God will suffer

persecution. Paul writing to Timothy speaks of this very thing. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution." "Godly" simply means that a person would be obedient to God. In the final

analysis it is God’s strength and God’s grace which produce a "godly" life. No man in himself is good

enough or strong or wise enough to live in the will of God without His guiding Spirit and enabling grace.

John, in referring to Cain, writes: (p.126)

And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my

brethren, if the world hate you (1 John 3:12-13).

Such Scripture helps Christians to understand their own experiences which try the soul.

It is true for all who have wondered about walking with the Lord that as far as this world is concerned,

they need not expect preferential treatment. As a matter of fact it is more than likely they will find that

when they become disciples of our Lord they will be disliked and avoided. Peter writes:

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what

glory is it, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if ye do well, and suffer for

it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God (1 Pet. 2:19-20).

What a privilege it is to bear some comparatively small distress and humiliation for His name’s sake!

Blessed are all who have an opportunity to so endure, because they are obedient to the Lord and are

found to be trustworthy in His sight.

In the Old Testament there are a number of men of God whose lives reflected no evil. Joseph is a

shining example of someone who from his earliest youth walked uprightly and pleasingly to God.

Through no fault of his own, he aroused hostility and envy, and even active hatred among his brothers.

Without the ending of this story which began with so much violence, this portion of God’s Word would

seem to illustrate a prime example of injustice. But the record goes on to show that God had His hand in

all that happened and that He was able to bring good out of evil. God used Joseph in Egypt for a farreaching

and most important divine plan for the good of His people.

Everything in the life of Joseph so carefully recorded in the Book of Genesis is there not only that we

should come to know Joseph himself, but primarily for our learning. It is to encourage believers to live in

this world by putting their trust in God. (p.127)

In chapter 39 there is recorded a rather long account of a sordid affair in which Potiphar’s wife tried to

seduce Joseph and failed because of Joseph’s steadfast refusal to sin against God. In her anger the woman

falsely accused Joseph.

And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After

this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him, and put him

into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison (39:19-20).

The story shows that Joseph, although only a slave, was in a position of responsibility and trust. His

master had put everything in his house into his care. Joseph accepted this position of trust not only

from his master but from God. He understood this rightly. If he betrayed his master’s trust in him, he

knew that he would be sinning against God. This temptation came while he was attending to his daily

round of duties.

Joseph withstood the woman day by day, but when pressure increased and she laid hands on him he

fled. Joseph did not display proud self-confidence in the face of something which could be fatal. He was

humble enough and wise enough to get out. Despite his wise efforts to avoid trouble, Joseph was falsely

accused on the basis of false evidence. He was quite helpless to deny any wrongdoing because his

garment was offered as evidence. Lies can include half-truths. There are people who are always ready to

believe the worst and then to spread it to others. When this woman brought her accusations she referred

slightingly to Joseph as "that Hebrew servant." This aroused a feeling of prejudice and inspired critical

judgment in those who heard her. Joseph could do nothing about it, and he was judged guilty by

Potiphar. As a result Joseph was thrown into prison in shame and disgrace. How utterly unfair and

unjust to be out off from any opportunity for vindication. Humanly speaking he was ruined. Now only

God could help him.