GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37 (Gen 37:1) And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

Actually this land was a place of pilgrimage for his father and grandfather, as well as himself. It would be many years before his descendents would live in it as their own.

Jacob dwelt there: made it his home, but in tents and no permanent dwellings.

DWELT H3427 yâ shab yaw-shab' A primitive root; properly to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication to dwell, to remain; causatively to settle, to marry: - (make to) abide (-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell (-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit (-ant), make to keep [house], lurking, X marry (ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set (-tle), (down-) sit (-down, still, -ting down, -ting [place] -uate), take, tarry.

OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY 2Co_3:14 *H. THE LIFE OF JOSEPH Gen_37:1 a) LIFE AT HOME Joseph is the link between Genesis and Exodus. Genesis closes with the first 80 years of Israel in Egypt and Exodus opens with the last 80 years. More is written of his life than any other subject in Genesis. His primary purpose in going to Egypt was to make Israel into a great nation. As long as they lived a tribal life and were Bedouins in the desert they could never become a great people.

God had told Abraham that this would happen as God's way of causing His people to inherit the land He had prepared for them.

Gen_15:13-15 Each chapter is filled with dramatic history 37 Treachery of Joseph's brothers 38 Harlot Tamar deceives Judah 39 Enraged Potiphar jails Joseph GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 1

40 Explanation of two dreams 41 Appointing Joseph as ruler 42 Recognition of Joseph's brothers 43 Trek back to Egypt 44 Holding Benjamin for cup 45 Announcement of Joseph's identity 46 New home in Egypt 47 Design to save Egypt 48 Manasseh and Ephraim adopted 49 Announcement of Jacob's blessing 50 New relationship with brethren As a type of Christ, Joseph teaches us the most perfect fulfillment.

Adam represented Christ's headship, Abel His death, Noah His work of refuge, Melchizedek His priesthood, Moses as prophet and David as king. But Joseph represented Him in over 200 ways: (1) His name.

(2) His Bride.

(3) His Occupation.

(4) His opposition to evil.

(5) His relation to his father's age.

(6) His coat of many colors.

(7) His being hated by his brothers.

(8) His being cast into prison.

(9) His experience from suffering to glory.

(10) As Savior of the world.

Gen_37:3 (Gen 37:2) These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

Moses started to write about the generations of Jacob as he had just done of Esau in chapter 36, but he got hung up on Joseph instead and gave us only the generations of Judan in chapter 38, and mention of the inheritance to the others in chapter 49.

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We begin here the life of Joseph that will continue throughout the remainder of the Book of Genesis. His life starts off as a common laborer, a shepherd for his father. He will begin changing coats from this point on and continue until he wears the royal apparel of Egypt.

He is the perfect type of Jesus Christ. Though the Bible nowhere mentions him as a type, there is no one in the Holy Writ who so fully measures up as Joseph.

Joseph was a shepherd (Gen_37:2). We speak of him as the hated shepherd in contrast to the other shepherds in Scripture that were a type of Jesus Christ. He was "feeding the flock" with his half brothers.

It was from this role as a shepherd that we get an insight of the special attention paid him by his father. (Compare Gen_49:24 and Heb_13:20).

Jesus also came as a shepherd Joh_10:11, Joh_10:14 "I am the good shepherd." (One of many "I AM’s of John) As Joseph was a model son (Gen_37:2-3) Faithful and obedient Knew his father's will and desire So Jesus was the same: Joh_5:20 "Father ...showeth him all things that Himself doeth."

Luk_2:51-52 (Jesus was) subject unto them" and "in favor with God and man" (Gen 37:3) Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY 2Co_3:14 OBJECT OF HIS FATHER'S SPECIAL LOVE Gen_37:3 Notice he is the object of his father’s special love (Gen_37:2-7) just as Jesus was. His coat of many colors identified him from this point on as the chief shepherd. The others wore the plain garment of the common shepherd.

Mat_3:17 "My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

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God loved this relationship to us (by coming to us as a man, as a Son) enough to describe Himself as well-pleased to be robed in flesh.

Coats of this nature were worn by favorites and royalty. Jdg_5:30 shows that they were worn as garments of distinction and 2Sa_13:18 shows that they were worn by royalty.

These worn by the others were shepherds clothes, for shepherds cloaks must be free for throwing, running and climbing. Robes would catch on bushes and be trampled.

BUT— Robes were worn by a CHIEF SHEPHERD. He would also be a reporter He would be an overseer.

To bring their evil report does not mean that he was a talebearer, but that he was the Chief Shepherd.

He was appointed over the others; had a position of rank and importance.

JESUS IS OUR CHIEF SHEPHERD 1Pe_5:4 "Chief Shepherd shall appear" 1Pe_2:25 "Shepherd and bishop of your soul" A ROBE was prepared for Him (a robe of flesh); Heb_10:5 "a body hast thou prepared me."

When He says (Joh_7:7 "I testify of (the world) that the works thereof are evil"— He is not talebearer He is appointed Chief to bring their report.

He has been "anointed above" his fellows (Heb_1:9) TO REPORT shows His heart is like His Father's (Joh_5:20).

"Whatsoever (the Father) doeth, these things doeth the Son.."

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He was absorbed in the will of His Father (Joh_2:17. "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."

Next, notice we become the "body of Christ" (1Co_12:27) so His special love is extended to us.

It was no drudgery for Him to come. He felt it no waste of time; he recognized no hardship to be thus limited and humiliated.

Joseph was the "Son of his old age" (or, who possesses his old age, Gen_37:3). This speaks of wisdom—there was an old head on that young body.

All Jacob's children were born when he was old, so he could not be just a son of his old age in that sense. He had the wisdom of his father, as Jesus possessed His Father's wisdom (Luk_2:51-52) Joseph was put over his brethren (Gen_37:2-3) (1) He Brought their report (verse 2) and (2) Had a coat of many colors (Gen_37:3) By these two things we know that he was over them.

(Gen 37:4) And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

He was despised because of his father’s love as Jesus would be later.

ISRAEL - IN JOSEPH'S BRETHREN: 1. Joseph's brethren hated and rejected him.

Gen_37:4 "His brethren.. they hated him."

Gen_37:18 "They conspired against him to slay him."

Gen_37:24 "And cast him into a pit."

• Israel hated and rejected Christ: Joh_15:25 "They hated me without a cause."

Joh_11:53 “Took counsel for to put him to death."

Mat_27:35 "And they crucified Him." 2. Joseph's brethren did not know of his exaltation.

Gen_42:5-8 "Sons of Israel came.. .but they knew not him."

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• Israel does not know of Christ's exaltation.

Rom_11:25 "Blindness in part is happened unto Israel."

2Co_3:15 "The veil is upon their hearts" (Act_3:17; Act_13:27).

3. Joseph's brethren were preserved by him.

Gen_42:19 "Carry corn for the famine of your household."

• Israel is preserved by Christ.

Mat_24:34 "This generation (race) shall not pass away...

Psa_121:4 "He that keepeth Israel."

4. Joseph's brethren were led to repentance through affliction.

Gen_42:7, Gen_42:14-17 "Spake roughly.. .put them.. into ward."

Gen_42:21 "They said, We are verily guilty."

• Israel shall be led to repentance through affliction.

Deu_28:63-66 "The Lord shall give thee... sorrow."

Mat_24:21 "Then shall be great tribulation."

Hos_5:14-15 "Till they acknowledge their offence."

5. Joseph's brethren finally had Joseph revealed unto them.

Gen_45:1 "Joseph made himself known unto his brethren."

Gen_45:3 "They were troubled at his presence."

• Israel shall yet have Christ revealed to them. Zec_12:10 "They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him." Hos_8:2 Rev_1:7 "He cometh.. shall see Him.. shall wail."

6. Joseph's brethren were especially favored and used by him.

Gen_45:9, Gen_45:13 "Haste ye.. tell.. .of my glory."

Gen_47:11 "Gave them.. .the best of the land."

• Israel shall be especially favored and used of God. Isa_66:19 "They shall declare My glory among the Gentiles."

Eze_36:11, Eze_36:35 "Will do better unto you than at... the beginning.

7, Joseph's brethren bowed in adoration before him.

Gen_50:18-19 "His brethren.. said.. .we be thy servants."

• Israel shall bow in adoration before Christ.

Luk_1:32-33 "He shall reign over the house of Jacob."

Phi_2:10-11 "That every knee should bow.. .confess."

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(Gen 37:5) And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Joseph had two dreams and both were about his success. He did not dream of his many failures to reach those dreams. That is usually what happens to us.

When he told the dreams his brothers hated him even more. They would do all they could to keep those dreams from coming true, and yet the very things they did to stop it caused them to come true. That is the way God works, destroying the counsel of the wise and making them accomplish His will.

Jesus came to express His dream and the Jews understood His mission of setting up a kingdom. That is why they tried to stop it. But the more they tried to keep Him from reigning over them, the more exalted He became. They consulted to put Him to death and then crucified Him, but this only brought to pass the very thing the wanted to stop.

(Gen 37:6) And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: Had Joseph allowed pride to get in his way he would not have told the dream, because he would be afraid of their misunderstanding it and accusing him of trying to be better than they were. But he knew his dream was of the Lord and He told it as a witness of what God was doing in his life. Thus later he could tell others the interpretation of their dreams.

(Gen 37:7) For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

As chief shepherd he looks forward to the day others do obeisance to him (Gen_37:7), as Jesus looked forward Col_1:18 "He is the Head...and (had) pre-eminence."

Phi_2:9-11 "Highly exalted and given a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow."

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But obeisance is not immediate Gen_37:4 "When they saw (his love) they hated him."

Joh_15:25 "Hated me without a cause" Psa_109:4 "For my love they are my adversaries."

Gen_37:5 Brothers would not believed him Joh_7:5 "Neither did His brethren believe" (Jesus' own brothers) Joh_15:18-20 They will not believe you either because they love their own.

Joh_3:19-20 "They love darkness because their deeds are evil" (since our Father is light they hates us) Act_4:25-28 "imagine vain things" Joseph's brothers imagined much when he told of his dreams.

"Stood up and gathered themselves together".

Conspiracy—even former enemies laid aside their animosity toward one another to unite in a common cause to destroy him.

With Jesus it was the Pharisees and Sadducees; with Joseph it was the children from the different parts of the family.

"Whom thou hast anointed' (above thy fellows [Heb_1:9]) Made chief and favored "To do what thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done" This was NOT AN ACCIDENT! God determined before hand for Joseph to be pre-eminent (Gen_45:5-7) (Gen 37:8) And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

He came unto his own and his own received him not (Gen_37:8-36) TODAY'S DREAMS UNFOLD TOMORROW'S REALITIES

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(Gen_37:8) DREAMERS Ah, there be souls none understand, Like clouds, they can not touch the land, Drive as they may by field or town.

Then we look wise at this, and frown, And we cry, "Fool!" Why not take hold Of earth, and fashion gods of gold!"

Unanchored ships, that blow and blow, Sail to and fro, and then go down In unknown seas that none shall know, Without one ripple of reknown, Poor, drifting dreamers sailing by, That seem to only live to die.

Call these not fools; the test of worth Is not the hold you have of earth.

Lo, there be the gentlest souls, sea-blown, That know not any harbor known, And it may be the reason is They touch on fairer shores than this.

—Joaquin Miller Bro. Lumpkin told us God is looking for a man who is a "Cut above" the average—an extraordinary man who does not wilt in his wilderness, or whimper through his boot camp.

In Joseph you meet such a character—and what really strikes you about Joseph is that combination of grace and power that made his dreams come true.

A young man of such capabilities could not long remain insensible to his own dreams, or indifferent to his own destiny.

You know, it's a great art to discover what you are fit for, so that you can settle down to your own work, or patiently wait for your own place, without enviously

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striving to rob every other man of his crown—and in doing so lose your own.

It is an art that will save you a lot of fretting and disappointment and waste of time, to understand early in life what it is you can accomplish, and what precisely you mean to be and do.

How much a man's life is gone before he sees the use he could have put it to, and ceases to beat the air.

Just think of how much of your life is an illconsidered but passionate striving after what can never be attained, or a vain imitation of persons who have quite different talents and opportunities from yourself, and who are therefore set to quite another work than yours.

No, when you are made of the right stuff, you spend your life on worthwhile goals. You remember your dream even when the tempter comes. That's why the devil's bargain sounded like a fool's paradise to Jesus.

Turn stones to what? Bread! Why, I'll show you greater things than that—No, I'll turn hearts of stone to flesh.

Jump from the temple? Why, that's child's play. Is it something spectacular you want! Wait until one day you see the big leap I make from the balcony of heaven and blow a trumpet that wakens the dead.

Fall down and worship you? And why? When I sit upon a throne, you will be bound to the sides of the pit.

Whatever Joseph thought of the path by which he was to reach the high dignity which his dreams foreshadowed, he was soon to learn that if today's dreams unfold tomorrow's realities, the path will be neither easy nor short.

Isn't it amazing how each man thinks, at least for himself, an exception will be made in the path he must take! He seriously

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believes that without difficulty and humiliations he is going to inherit the Kingdom. But it just cannot be so.

Joseph must be cast into the pit and left to die. Under the ground, sinking in the mire, his flesh creeping and crawling at the touch of unseen slimy creatures, in the dark, alone, in a confinement which tames the most reckless, and maddens the best balanced spirits, which shakes the nerve of the calmest man. Yes, Bro. Lumpkin's wilderness has pits in it, but pits are necessary if today's dreams unfold tomorrow's realities.

In such pits, young people especially, find themselves. Suddenly they are dropped out of the lively scenery and bright sunshine in which they had been living, down into roomy graves where they seem left to die at leisure.

Have you ever conceived a way of being useful in the world— have you found an aim or a hope—have you, like Joseph, discerned your place and were heading toward it, when suddenly you seemed to be thrown out and were left to learn that the world can do very well without you; that the sun and moon and eleven stars do not automatically drop from their courses, or weep over your sad condition?

Your high aims and commendable purposes were not so easily fulfilled as you fancied. The desire in you to be of service is not recognized. Men do not make room for you, and God seems to disregard your hopes. I mean the same hopes God Himself has excited in you. In moments like that, who cares if ever today's dreams unfold tomorrow's realities!

You see others enjoying this life, and seeming to be making something of it. They have found work that suits them and develops them; but, for your part, you cannot seem to get fitted into life at any point, and you are excluded from the onward movement of the world.

So again and again you are flung back, until you fear you will never see the fulfillment of even one bright dream that has ever

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visited you, and that you are never, never at all, to live out the life that is in you to live.

But why? Because all this is in the way to attainment. This long burial of years comes upon you because your advancement is made through these experiences.

Young people naturally feel strongly that life is all before them, and that this life is, in the first place, their concern, and that God must be proved sufficient for the life, able to bring them to their ideal.

And the first lesson they have to learn is that mere youthful confidence and energy are not the qualities that overcome the world.

They have to learn that humility and the ambition that seeks great things for others, are the qualities really indispensable, before today's dreams unfold tomorrow's realities.

But do men become humble by being told to become humble, or by knowing that they ought to be humble? No, God must make us humble by the actual experiences we meet with in our ordinary life.

Here in the pit Joseph was made to feel that it was not in this world's life, nor in his own way, but in God he lived. He was humbled to know that nothing could befall him which God had not willed, he was encouraged to know that what God had for him to do, God would enable him to do.

Sure enough, it was this pit and a term of slavery and prison that got him introduced to Pharaoh. Though for a time there seemed little prospect that this would prove to be the thread on which his destiny hung, he remained true to his dream.

And when his dream came true—when he stood in the presence of his brethren, he could say, "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: For God did send me before you to preserve life....And God hath sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." (Gen_45:5-7).

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Basking in the unfolded reality of the dream, Joseph named one child, "Fruitful," and another “Forgotten,” because God had prospered him—made his life fruitful—and made him forget the sorrow of the wilderness.

And so his test of worth was not in the hold he had of earth, when his dreams of today had finally unfolded and become the reality of his tomorrows.

THE DREAMER IS COMING (Gen_37:19) V. A. Guidroz, 9 April 1981, Chapel Texas Bible College, Houston.

A dream is a great thing. We pursue the unknown. Napoleon never had what we have today, yet he was honored above any other.

People were dying of rickets. While they died a man dreamed.

Pasteur found how to pasteurize milk. Ice used to come from Canada. Then someone came up with the idea of artificial ice.

Joseph was not old, but he had some peculiar dreams. He was not afraid to tell them. Those who heard him did not believe it and hated him for it.

His dream had not yet happened in the world. Without a vision the people perish. You will only get what you dream of.

Polio was stopped by a dreamer. Huey P. Long's administration brought a bridge to cross the Mississippi. Churchill was saved from drowning by Fleming. Dreamers are not very popular. They don't want to be popular.

If you want the world to stay like it is go with them. But somebody is going to come up with a message to change the world.

Jesus made a place for you when He dreamed. Thief on the cross. "Remember me." He knew Jesus would live again. Are you a dreamer? Take up a cross and follow. Are you afraid to tell your dream?

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JOSEPH: THE MAN OF DREAMS (Gen_37:5-10) Wilson, 5 July 1981 Harvey, ND (SS) Sun-m His family was upset by his gift from God. The ability to interpret dreams. Did he have spiritual pride?

He was a type of Christ. He was envied of his brethren. Envy causes many problems. Especially resentment and bitterness.

Jacob was showing partiality. He was spiritual minded.

Jam_3:14-17 Wisdom and partiality. Paul waited 14 years to tell his vision. Do not tell things too quickly. Sometimes it is best to _retain what God has given.

Moses knew at an early day that he was to deliver Israel. But killing the Egyptian cost him 40 more years before God could use him.

Do not get ahead of God's program. It is as bad to be ahead of God as to get behind.

Joseph dealt with the butler and baker to interpret their dreams. The gift that had before brought strife now brought blessing.

We can change. (Phi_3:14). We do not need faith until the time of adversity. Egypt was the beginning of Joseph's advancement. Times of adversity are for a purpose (Rom_8:28-29; Gen_41:51-52). While Joseph went through difficulty he learned total obedience. He made the most of his servitude. He never gave up. God can work in impossible situations.

There are no ideal situations. If you wait for right conditions you will get nothing done. Gen_40:15 Joseph had done nothing wrong to deserve a dungeon. Examine your motives.

Gen_4:18 God sees it all. His plan and purpose "He knows the end from the beginning." (Rom_8:35-39) He had learned a secret.

When we lose we still win.

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At the end we can look back and see where God has been moving. Joseph came out clean. He could have been bitter, resentful, and revengeful He kept his confidence (Heb_10:35; Pro_3:3-5). Two full years. How full are your years. He had full years even in an Egyptian prison.

God made the butler forget so He could teach Joseph another lesson. Joseph was changed and now he could handle the situation.

End of life: Brothers still not sure of forgiveness. It is not the situation we face but what we do with the situation that counts.

(Gen 37:9) And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

Most likely Joseph understood this dream but he did not tell what he thought it meant. He only mentioned the dream itself and allowed others to interpret it as they would, and they fully understood what it meant.

When a person told his dream in relating religious experience, Rowland Hill said, "we do not despise a good man's dreams, but we will judge of the dream after we have seen how you act when you are awake."

(Biblical Illustrator) (Gen 37:10) And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed?

Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

It is interesting that he would still refer to Rachel as though she were alive when she had been dead for several years now. This is a common thing that a person does at times when referring to something that includes the family and a party is now dead. We just do not consider the fact as part of reality. They are still in our minds as though alive.

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(Gen 37:11) And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

STEPS TO DEATH a. He was envied (Gen_37:11) Mar_15:10 "For envy they delivered Him" b.

He was hated (Gen_37:4-5) Joh_15:25 "Hated without a cause"

c. Conspired against him (Gen_37:18) Mat_26:3-4; Mat_27:1; Joh_11:53 Jesus was conspired against. d.

He was attacked (Gen_37:23) Mat_27:28 "They stripped Him"

e. He was mocked (Gen_37:20) "We shall see" Mar_15:32 "that we may see" f. Deliverance was attempted for Joseph (Gen_37:22). Joh_7:5051 Reuben tried for Joseph and Nicodemus tried for Jesus g. He was sold (Gen_37:28) for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites.

This would be the wholesale price. (Gen_37:36). They would get 30 pieces of silver for him in Egypt since that was the price of a slave (Exo_21:32).

Judah suggested the sale (Gen_37:26) in the false pretense of brotherly kindness. Judas is the same name in Greek, and he betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

Mat_26:15; Mat_27:9 Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver— the slave price. h. He was imprisoned and false witnesses were brought against him (Gen_39:20, Gen_39:15) as happened to Jesus.

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Mar_14:57 (They) "bear false witness." Two prisoners (Gen_40:2) were with him as two malefactors were with Jesus (Luk_23:32). Joseph gave a sentence of life to the one and death to the other, as Jesus said "today shalt thou be with me in paradise" to one man and the other died lost.

He was bound and his feet hurt (Gen_39:20; Psa_105:18-19).

Psa_22:16 Jesus feet hurt and He was bound (Mat_27:2) i. He was slain (in figure and intent—according to Mat_5:21-22) because Jesus equates this with murder (Gen_37:24) Mat_27:2; Act_2:23 Jesus was murdered in more than figure and intent.

His brethren were content with their deed (Gen_37:27) so they sat down to watch (Mat_27:36). They sat down to watch contentedly with Jesus.

3.

His "resurrection" (Gen_37:24-28). a. Into the place of death (pit) (Gen_37:24) Horrible pit (Psa_40:2; Psa_69:2, Psa_69:14-15) Put in a tomb (Mat_27:60) b.

He came out again (Gen_37:28) to go to prepare a place.

(Gen_45:5-7).

They sought (intended dead) in the pit (Gen_37:28-29).

Jesus came forth from the tomb (Gen_28:6) to go prepare a place (Joh_14:1-3) They sought the "living among the dead" and were perplexed that He was not found (Luk_24:1-4).

(Gen 37:12) And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

The last time the family was in Shechem, Jacob’s two sons (Simeon and Levi) slew all the men of the city, so he would be very apprehensive knowing they were there and for that reason he would

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want to send Joseph to find out how they fared. It is interesting though that he was allowed to stay home while they went out to tend the sheep.

JOSEPH AS A TYPE OF JESUS JOSEPH Gen_37:2 Gen_37:2 Gen_37:2 Gen_37:2 Gen_37:3 Gen_37:3 Gen_37:45 Gen_37:5 Gen_37:79 Gen_37:8 Gen_37:8 Gen_37:11 Gen_37:11 Gen_37:13 Gen_37:13 Gen_37:14 Gen_37:14 Gen_37:14 Gen_37:14 Gen_37:15 Gen_37:16 Gen_37:18 Gen_37:17 Gen_37:18 Gen_37:19 Gen_37:20 Gen_37:22

TYPE The Good Shepherd Gave an evil report He has the same desires as His Father He is the Chief Shepherd He was loved of His Father He was a model son He was hated of His brothers

JESUS Joh_10:1-14 Joh_3:19-20 Joh_2:17

He was not believed by His brothers He was to have the pre-eminence

Joh_7:5

“He will not reign over us” Rejected His superior claims Delivered Him for envy Observed His sayings Sent to His brethren He said, “Here am I” Bring me word again Same as His brethren Came from the place of fellowship Came to Shechem Wandering in the field Came seeking His brethren His own received Him not Went after His brethren They conspired against Him Accused Him of making himself King We shall see!

One tried to deliver Him

Luk_19:14 Mat_21:37-39 Mar_15:10 Luk_2:51 Luk_20:13 Psa_40:7-8 Joh_17:13-14 Heb_2:16-17 Joh_17:5-24 Joh_4:4-5 Mat_13:38 Luk_19:10 Joh_1:11 Luk_15:4 Mat_27:1 Luk_23:2

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1Pe_2:25 Mat_3:17 Luk_2:51 Joh_15:25

Col_1:18

Mar_15:32 Joh_7:50-51

Gen_37:23 Gen_37:24

They stripped Him They put Him in a pit

Gen_37:24 Gen_37:25 Gen_37:27 Gen_37:28

Slain [in intent] by His own Sat down to watch Him His brethren were then content Sold for 20 pieces of silver [later 30] Came out of the pit Not found in the pit

Gen_37:28 Gen_37:28 -29 Gen_37:31 Gen_37:36 Gen_39:1 Gen_39:221 Gen_39:3 Gen_39:48 Gen_39:5 Gen_39:6 Gen_39:6 Gen_39:6 Gen_39:6 Gen_39:7

Mat_27:28 Psa_40:2 Psa_69:2 Mat_27:35-37 Mat_27:36 Mat_27:36 Mat_26:15 Mat_28:6 Luk_24:1-4

Garment dipped in blood Came into Egypt Servant to the ruler The Lord was with Him

Rev_19:13-16 Mat_2:14-15 Isa_49:7 Joh_16:32

Everything prospered in His hand All was put into His hands

Isa_53:10 Joh_3:35

Others blessed for His sake Left all in His hands All power given to Him He was a goodly person He was well-favored Tempted at the beginning of His ministry Gen_39:9 He did not fall for the temptation Gen_39:15 False witnesses used against Him Gen_39:20 He was bound as a prisoner Psa_105:18 His feet were hurt -19 Gen_40:2- Two were put in prison with Him 3 Gen_40:13 He offered life to the one Gen_40:22 Death came to the other Gen_40:4 He served them Gen_40:4 What [makes you] sad?

Gen_40:14 He asked to be remembered Gen_40:14 He asked for kindness to be shown GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 19

Eph_1:3 2Ti_1:12 Mat_28:18 Son_5:16 Luk_2:52 Mat_4:1-11 Heb_4:15 Mar_14:57 Mat_27:2 Psa_22:16 Luk_23:32 Luk_23:43 Luk_23:39 Luk_22:17 Luk_24:17 1Co_11:24 Mat_25:40

Gen_40:14 Gen_40:23 Gen_40:15 Gen_41:14 Gen_41:912 Gen_41:14 Psa_105:20 Gen_41:16 Gen_45:25 Gen_41:38 Gen_41:39 Gen_41:39 Gen_41:40 Gen_41:40 Gen_41:40 Gen_41:45 Gen_41:43 Gen_41:44 Gen_41:45 Gen_41:44 -45 Gen_41:46 Gen_41:49 Gen_41:51 Gen_41:52 Gen_41:54 Gen_41:54 Gen_41:55 Gen_41:55 Gen_41:55 Gen_41:55 Gen_41:55 Gen_41:56 -57 Gen_41:56

He asked that mention be made of Him He was forgotten He did not deserve to be in prison He came out of the dungeon to reign We receive our due reward

Mat_10:32

He was brought out hastily King sent and loosed Him It is not in me God will show A man with the Spirit God shows you this None so discreet and wise Over the house Government upon His shoulders Made Lord over His house Received a Gentile Bride Everyone must bow to Him You can do nothing without Him Name: Savior of the world All must be done in His name

Psa_16:10 Act_2:24 Joh_5:19 Joh_5:19 Act_10:38 Joh_5:20 Col_2:3 Heb_3:6 Isa_9:6 Act_2:36 Eph_5:22-32 Phi_2:10 Joh_15:5 Mat_1:21 Act_4:12

He was 30 years old He gathered an abundance of treasure He was now satisfied [forget past] He obtained much fruit Remembered what He had said He did not bring the famine One to whom we must go Whatever He saith to you, do it!

The king approached through Him He was to be obeyed He alone could open the storehouse The famine was all over the world

Luk_3:23 Eph_3:8-20

The famine waxed sore

Amo_8:11

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 20

Ecc_9:15 Joh_8:46 Ecc_4:14 Luk_23:41

Isa_53:11 Joh_12:24 Joh_2:22 2Pe_3:9 Joh_6:68 Joh_2:5 Joh_14:6 Joh_5:23 Joh_3:35 Luk_15:14

Gen_41:56 Gen_41:57 Gen_42:6 Gen_42:78 Gen_42:717 Gen_42:8 Gen_42:22 Gen_42:23 Gen_42:23 Gen_42:24 Gen_42:25 Gen_42:25 Gen_42:25 Gen_42:25 Gen_43:16 Gen_43:16 Gen_43:18 Gen_43:19 Gen_43:19 Gen_43:22 Gen_43:23 Gen_43:34 Gen_43:34 Gen_44:1 Gen_44:15 Gen_44:15 Gen_44:16 Gen_44:16 Gen_45:1 Gen_45:1 Act_7:13 Gen_45:3 Gen_45:4

The storehouses were opened His supply extended to all countries He it was who sold He knew them

Mal_3:10 Isa_49:6

He disciplined them

Job_36:8-10

They did not know Him His blood was required Had understanding of them Used an interpreter He wept over them He filled their sacks He restored the money He gave them provisions for the way It all came to pass He compelled them to be brought home All was made ready They were afraid Had another [spirit] They communed with Him Tried to use their own money His peace was upon them They were merry with Him He forgave them all As much as you can carry He can know the heart He manifested omniscience They were speechless God has found us out He made Himself known to them He was reconciled to His brethren Second time made known to brethren They were troubled at His presence I am Joseph/Jesus

Joh_1:10-11 Mat_27:25 Isa_11:3 Joh_16:3-4 Luk_19:41 Joh_1:16 Isa_55:1 Phi_4:19

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 21

Pro_11:26 Joh_2:24-25

Jos_21:45 Luk_15:23 Mat_22:4 1Jo_4:18 Joh_14:26 Joh_1:37-40 Rom_10:3 Rom_15:13 Luk_15:24 Mat_6:14-15 Joh_5:11 Jer_17:10 Joh_1:47-48 Mat_22:12 Joh_16:8-9 Luk_24:31 Deu_30:1-10 Zec_12:10 Zec_12:10 Act_9:5

Gen_45:4 Gen_45:57 Gen_45:5 Gen_45:57 Gen_45:7 Gen_45:7 Gen_45:8 Gen_45:9 Gen_45:9 Gen_45:11 Gen_47:12 m Gen_45:12 Gen_45:13 Gen_45:15 Gen_45:18 -19 Gen_45:20 Gen_45:26 Gen_45:26 Gen_45:28 Gen_45:4 Gen_45:15 Gen_47:18 Gen_47:18 Gen_47:23 Gen_47:23 Gen_50:15 -17 Gen_50:19 Gen_49:22 Gen_49:22 Gen_49:23 Gen_49:24 Gen_49:24 Gen_49:24

Come near to me God sent Him

Eph_2:13 1Jo_4:9

Sent as a Savior Sent to prepare a place

1Jo_4:14 Joh_14:1-3

He came to take out a people He wrought a great deliverance Recognized the foreknowledge of God They were not to tarry He went from suffering to glory He would nourish them He was their shepherd

Act_15:14 2Co_1:10 Act_2:23

“Behold it is me” “Ye shall tell my Father” His brethren talked with Him Come unto me

Luk_24:39 2Co_4:4 Luk_24:15 Mat_11:28-29

Regard not your stuff He is still alive It was not believed Now let me die He called them His brethren Why should they die?

Spent all they had Nothing left but their bodies They were bought Seed to sow and eat Acted as a stranger

Phi_3:13 Act_25:10 Luk_24:11-41 Luk_2:29-30 Heb_2:11 Joh_11:25 Luk_15:14 Rom_12:1 1Co_6:19-20 Isa_55:10 Joh_14:9

Greatest of forgivers He is called a vine He is a vine by the well A man of grief His hands were made strong From then on He is their Shepherd He is the stone of Israel

Luk_23:34 Joh_15:5 Joh_4:14 Isa_55:3 Psa_89:19 Heb_13:20 Mat_21:42

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 22

2Co_6:2 1Pe_1:11 Joh_6:35 Psa_23:1

Gen_49:25 Gen_49:26 Gen_50:20 Gen_50:20 1Ch_5:2 Amo_6:6 Exo_1:8 Jos_18:5 Jos_17:17 Jos_17:14 Jdg_1:35 Gen_50:21

Blessing is on His head He was separate from His brethren He saved much people alive He told them not to fear He received the birthright Others not grieved for His affliction Princes knew not Joseph They were to abide in their coasts Hast great power The Lord has blessed Him His house prevailed No blot on His life

Heb_1:9 Heb_7:26 Heb_2:10 Joh_14:1 Rom_8:29 Lam_1:12 1Co_2:8 Joh_15:4 Phi_4:13 Eph_1:3 Rom_8:37 1Pe_2:22

(Gen 37:13) And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. Sent by the father (1) Willing to go (Gen_37:13) "Come, I will send thee unto (thy brethren)."

1Jo_4:14 "The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" Joh_3:16 "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" Luk_20:13 "I will send my beloved Son" Joseph willingly presented himself Gen_37:13 "Here am I" Psa_40:7-8 Jesus presented Himself "Lo, I come, (in the volume of the book it is written of me). I delight to do thy will, Oh, God." (Gen 37:14) And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Joseph obeyed his father and went out to find his brothers as Jesus would do only those things of His father (Joh_5:19, Joh_5:30), and came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jacob knew that his GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 23

sons had gone to Shechem to tend the sheep and was very likely concerned what might befall them there since he had problems there earlier.

(Gen 37:15) And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

Wanders in seeking Gen_37:15 "He was wandering in thee field" Mat_13:38 tells us the "field is the world" Luk_9:58 He had "no place to lay his head."

Many of the Jewish writers (l) say, this was an angel, the angel Gabriel, in the likeness of a man; but according to Aben Ezra, it was a traveller he met on the road; but it is more probable, as Schimidt observes, that it was some man at work in the field that came upon him and took notice of him.

(Gill) (l) Pirke Eliezer, c. 38. Targum Jon. & Jarchi in loc.

(Gen 37:16) And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Gen_37:16 He called them "brethren" He recognized no difference between himself and his brethren.

Heb_2:17-17 (Jesus was) "made like unto His brethren" Seeks his brethren (Gen_37:16) "I seek my brethren" Luk_19:10 "Came to seek and to save that which was lost."

Gen_37:17 "went after his brethren.

Luk_15:4 "Go after the lost (sheep)" (Gen 37:17) And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.

This man would naturally have heard them say where they were going, as anyone else would in that neighborhood, because of the

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 24

dread and fear of Jacob's family that was upon them. They had destroyed an entire city of Shechem earlier over the defilement of Dinah. Everything they said and did would be watched very carefully to observe any animosity toward those in the immediate neighborhood.

(Gen 37:18) And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Gen_37:18 "He came near unto them" "They conspired against him" Joh_1:11 JESUS "Came unto His own, and His own received Him not." the distance he was from them when they first spied him is particularly remarked and repeated, not to show the quickness of their sight, but for the sake of what follows; to observe how soon their passions were raised, how intense and prepense their malice, and which put them upon devising ways and means to destroy him, for it follows. (Gill) (Gen 37:19) And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

They reject his superior claims a. They accuse him of aspiring to be a king (Gen_37:19) Luk_23:2 "Makes himself a king" Mar_15:32 "Christ the King" b.

"Shalt thou indeed reign over us? (verse 8) Luk_19:14 "We will not have this man reign over us."

Joh_19:15 "We have no king but Caesar"

JESUS CLAIMS: Joh_10:30 "I and my Father are one" Joh_8:58 "Before Abraham was, I am" REJECTED

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 25

Joh_10:33 "We stone you because you being a man, make yourself God." (Gen 37:20) 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.

How like the world to think that they can stop those things God has decreed by their own ingenuity. When He opens the door there is none that can shut it, and when He shuts it there is none that can open it. If his dreams had been from his own mind then they might have been successful in silencing them, but they were from God. (Gen 37:21) And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

It is probably because of his efforts here that when one son was kept in Egypt and the rest could return it was not Reuben who was left there but Simeon the second born. As Reuben tried to rescue Joseph so Nicodemus tried to rescue Jesus.

He boarded the train which he could not arrest, but he boarded it with the purpose of ultimately controlling it and so preventing a catastrophe. The motive was good, but I am not quite so sure about the policy. It savors a little too much of worldly wisdom for me, and little good came out of it in the end. We have seen it tried here often enough in politics, and almost always with this result: that the wellmeaning men who have gone into a questionable movement under the idea that they could thereby guide it into something that would be at least harmless, have been themselves outwitted and befooled.

It would have been just about as easy for Reuben to have stood out against the persecution of Joseph altogether as it was for him to protest against the shedding of his blood, and it might have been equally efficacious. At any rate it would have exonerated him from the guilt which they all alike ultimately incurred. His plan was to deliver Joseph, but in a way that was itself deceptive, for he seemed to be doing one thing while he was really seeking another. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 26

(Gen 37:22) 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.

It could be that Reuben hoped to reconcile himself to his father after the defiling of his bed. By bringing Joseph, his father’s favorite home, he would be making amends to his father.

Reuben, of all the brothers, had most reason to be jealous of Joseph, for he was the first-born, and so entitled to those distinguishing favours which Jacob was conferring on Joseph; yet he proves his best friend. (Matthew Henry) (Gen 37:23) And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; Here again, Joseph is losing a coat. He lost the shepherd’s coat for a chief shepherd. He loses it for a slave’s coat, and will exchange that for a prisoner’s coat before he finally wears royal clothes.

EXCHANGING THE COAT FOR A ROBE (Gen_37:23; Gen_37:31-33; Gen_39:11-16; Gen_41:39-41) Joseph seemed to have had a hard time keeping his coat on. His coat of a shepherd was early exchanged for a coat of many colors to distinguish him as the chief. It was a symbol of authority (Mar_10:50; 1Sa_18:4). God took it away to give him the robe of a king. He had to wear the coat of a shepherd, the coat of a slave and the coat of a prisoner to prepare him for the kingly garment.

As a catipillar has to wear the coat of a worm before it can be a butterfly Whenever God exchanged coats it was to give authority. Gen_3:7, Gen_3:21 God exchanged their fig leaves to the coats of animal skins.

Isa_22:20-21; Isa_61:3, Isa_61:10 Give up one authority for another.

1Th_5:18 Will of God. (Rom_8:28-29)

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 27

It may take some time for God to clothe you with a robe.

He will send you into a storm.(Luk_8:22) He will allow your goods to be taken. (Job_1:12-21) But like Job, He will double the blessings in your life. (Job_42:10) We are like Joseph. When one coat (comfort zone) is taken we find another. Then God has to take that one.

Psa_34:19 Many afflictions Rom_8:18 2Co_11:23-28; 2Ch_4:16-18; 2Co_5:1-4; Rev_19:7-8 Columbus (Psa_77:6) Isa_40:28-31 Wait Jer_31:7-19 Chastised Psa_119:67-71 afflicted Psa_105:19 His word (Gen 37:24) And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Nothing is mentioned here about Joseph’s reaction to this but later the brothers admit that he cried out to them, and the Psalmist mention the suffering he went through.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY 2Co_3:14 *i. JOSEPH was slain (in figure and intent—according to Mat_5:21-22) because Jesus equates this with murder (Gen_37:24) *JESUS was murdered in more than figure and intent.

Mat_27:2 Act_2:23 *His brethren were content with their deed so they sat down to watch Gen_37:25-27 *They sat down to watch Jesus Mat_27:36

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 28

*3.

His "resurrection"

Gen_37:24-28 *a. Into the place of death (pit) Gen_37:24 Horrible pit Psa_40:2 Psa_69:2 Psa_69:14-15 Jesus was put in a tomb Mat_27:60 *b.

JOSEPH came out again Gen_37:28 *to go to prepare a place.

Gen_45:5-8 *They sought (intended dead) in the pit Gen_37:28-29 *Jesus came forth from the tomb Mat_28:6 *to go prepare a place Joh_14:1-3 *They sought the "living among the dead" and were perplexed that He was not found.

Luk_24:1-4 How were Joseph's "Steps to death" like that of Christ?

EXERCISE #5 1. What kind of mountain top experience are the following mountains typical of? a. b. d.

Ararat Bethel Caleb

e.

b.

Gilboa c.

Moriah Nebo

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 29

f. h.

Carmel Calvary

g. i.

Sinai Zion (Sion)

2. What do we learn by Noah's second chance?

3. What kind of man was Nimrod?

4. What was the purpose of God calling Israel?

5. How was the testing of Abraham typical of Christ?

6. How were Abraham's children typical of the religious world today?

7. Why was Abraham's Covenant so important?

8. What were the provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant?

9. How was Isaac and Rebekah typical of Christ and His Church?

10. What kind of man was Jacob? a. How was he different from Esau? b. Why did he want the birthright? c. What is important about his two names?

11. What are the most important ways that you believe Joseph is typical of Christ?

(Gen 37:25) And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

As they sat down to watch what would happen, so when Jesus was put on the cross, “Sitting down they watched Him there.” (Mat_27:36).

Ishmaelites may carry innocents to Egypt for their ends, but God orders them thither for His own. So God maketh use of sinners. They bring him to make gain of him, God sends him to save and gain others. (G. Hughes, B. D.) (Gen 37:26) And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

Notice that it was Judah who suggested the sale and he got twenty pieces of silver for the sale of Joseph. Judas [which is the Greek name for Judah] sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The twenty pieces GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 30

were the wholesale price for Joseph and they would get thirty pieces when they sold him in Egypt. Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave.

(Gen 37:27) Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

They were not all there when this transaction took place, and it does not tell us how many were involved in the actual sale. We do know however, that Reuben was away with the sheep, and very likely some of the others were with him. [he is our brother] This they said to make it sound as though they were really men of compassion, but if they were then why would they sell their brother, instead of merely being able to say, "Well at least we did not kill him."

(Gen 37:28) Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Joseph would have to go very near his home on the way to Egypt, but he could not reach his father who was so near. There were none that could help him in this helpless and lonely state.

The narrative shows one of the not uncommon ways which God takes to prepare men for usefulness and blessing. The pathway to any eminence in usefulness, virtue, or joy, is commonly rugged.

Muscular strength comes of abundant toil, mental vigour of hard study, moral force of temptation and discipline. It is by fire that gold is separated from its dross, and iron hardened into steel. Even the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering. One cannot guess of how many noble lives the secret, if disclosed, would be found in some great trial. An Arab once bemoaned his fate thus: "Alas, I fear that God doth not remember me. I have no trials, nothing but ease and enjoyment." You cannot make a great life out of sunshine alone. Nor need one lose heart if his whole earthly course seems to be under a cloud. As the discipline of youth may be

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 31

for riper years, so that of one's whole earthly career is for the ages beyond. (H. M. Grout, D. D.) (Gen 37:29) And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

Reuben very likely felt responsible for anything that would happen to Joseph, because he was the oldest and his father already had one thing against him and I am sure Reuben would not want to make matters worse. He must have been watching a portion of the sheep that were not near the well when these merchants bought Joseph.

(Gen 37:30) And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

Our English fails us here to express how he cried out, for the cry he made was one of great earnestness and perplexity. He did not know what steps to take to either go and find Joseph or what to say when they returned home if Joseph was not with them. Of course they must have immediately told him what had happened so that by remaining silent later he was an accomplice.

(Gen 37:31) And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; Jesus' clothes were also dipped in blood, but will once again be made bloody by the latter day work. (Isa_63:1). By taking his coat from him they left him either nude or nearly so, and this too would be typical of Jesus whose clothes were removed when He was on the cross. They both suffered shame for the cause they represented.

(Gen 37:32) And they sent 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.

They knew what anguish Jacob would be in when he received the coat and they did not want to be there to see it; and their conscience would have bothered them terribly to know that they were the cause, so they sent it by someone else to hide their own guilt. They would also be

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 32

free of having to give any verbal answer as to what happened to Joseph.

(Gen 37:33) 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.

It is so easy to go by circumstantial evidence. It is amazing how many decisions are made because we suppose something to be true when it is not. Moses supposed his brothers would understand. The two men on the road to Emmaeus just knew Jesus was still dead.

In his youth Jacob deceived his father; in his old age Jacob was deceived by his sons. He was cunning and wily. Yet he was overreached, and suffered from the trickery of others. Worldly acuteness is no security against deception in matters that lie nearest to our heart. The fox may be out witted, while the lamb is spared in its simplicity. Application: See how the coprinciples work in various directions. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.) (Gen 37:34) And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. [and mourned for his son many days] or years, as days sometimes signify; twenty two years, according to Jarchi, even until the time he went down to Egypt and saw him alive. (Gill) Reuben had rent his clothes earlier when he did not find Joseph in the pit, and now Jacob rends his clothes. This must have been a very early symbol of grief.

(Gen 37:35) And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

How many are like Jacob, grieving over their Joseph’s when he is less than 200 miles away preparing to save the whole family. But we cannot see what God sees. He knows the end from the beginning and has all in control. But Jacob grieved for years while he waited for that day to come that thought was impossible.

GRIEVING OVER OUR JOSEPHS

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 33

(Gen_37:35) Jacob's sons came toward the tent with a strangely familiar object. That blood-crusted coat had to be Joseph's.

He heard the story in a daze. His mind was awhirl. What happened? It must have been a beast. His favorite son, his prized possession, a child of his beloved Rachel. Gone forever!

So the grieving began. Days and years of heartbreak and tears that would not end until he heard the returning sons exclaim, "Joseph is yet alive!"

Here lies the irony and tragedy of the story. Less than 300 miles away Joseph was alive, healthy, and prospering in everything he did. Finally after a few humiliating experiences (in which he was never uncomfortable nor uncared for, though he remained a slave) Joseph became second in rulership of the entire land of Egypt. He wielded a great power. But Jacob was still grieving!

Notice carefully that Jacob did not once ask God if this were true. He just surmised it; he took it for granted; circumstantial evidence said it was so. (2Co_5:7) You cannot always use what you see as evidence of a fact. The men on the road to Emmaeus were certain Jesus was still dead, but He was alive. Evidence was against Israel taking Canaan; against Jericho's walls falling; against Gideon's 300; against Abraham having a child in his old age; and against the lame man at the gate Beautiful walking—BUT THESE WALKED BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT! Men waste years believing their hope is dead. Others may receive the Holy Ghost, but not them. Some even consider themselves past some deadline or having committed an unpardonable sin. "Oh, healings and miracles passed away with the Apostles," they cry. "Didn't you know? Joseph died!" And so they continue to suffer pain, or try to live without God's Spirit. And all the time Joseph is still alive. The promise of receiving the Holy Ghost is still alive— miracles have not ceased.

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 34

This kind of jumping to conclusions and believing things are hopeless is costly and dangerous. The Philippian Jailer just knew that the prisoners had escaped and was ready to take his own life. Men on the day of Pentecost just knew those people were drunk with wine by the way they were acting. I have heard of families who have lived in poverty for years only to find out there was treasures hidden in the house, or oil was on their property, or they had inherited something and were not aware of it.

I read of an insurance company that kept sending notices to a man that if he did not pay his premiums soon the policy would run out and he would be without insurance. Still no reply. Finally it did run out. A few months later the company sent another letter asking them to please renew it. They received a letter from the man's widow, "Do not send any more letters, John died and I cannot afford to pay for this insurance." What a surprise to find out the insurance company would send her some money now!

Jacob rejoiced when he found Joseph was yet alive. These poor deceived people who believe today that Joseph is dead will rejoice too when they find out—IF THEY DO! Far too many are dying without knowing that Joseph has been there in that little church on the corner for years. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE GO TELL THEM JOSEPH STILL LIVES? _________ •Be like Abraham who hoped against hope (Romans 4:18) •"Seek after God, though He be not far from every one of you."

•Hebrew Children: "We don't know whether He will deliver us from the fire, but He will deliver us from your hands, Oh King."

•Boy who sent for money to come home. Father sent a Bible and said, Son the treasure is in this book. Inside were several $100 bills.

Phi_4:6 Anxiety is to be avoided.

1. For our own sakes. The exhortation does not discourage economy and industry. The same Bible which tells us to be careful for nothing tells us also to be diligent in business,

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and if anyone under the cloak of the text becomes careless of the duties of life he denies "the faith and is worse than an infidel (1Ti_5:8)." Still there are some virtues which become vices.

(1) Here is a man who by unlimited economy heaps up riches, and knows not who will reap them. The world promised him happiness in riches, and outside people say, "What a happy man." But look at the wrinkles on his face; he is fearful of losing his riches and is apprehensive of beggary and dies, sometimes by his own hand.

(2) Here is another, careful of his good name -- a good thing in itself -- but the least thing said about him he feels acutely, and his peace is destroyed. The Christian's duty is clear. He must not fritter away his life in anxiety about circumstances or good name. Anxiety cumbers people as it did Martha, and is both unwise and injurious. There are trials enough without making them. The anxious man is a wholesale trouble maker.

2. Because we are not our own. This is a question which affects both conscience and honesty. God made us. What we possess is not our own. God has purchased us by the precious blood of Christ.

3. Because anxiety is distrust of God. The promises cannot be broken; however adverse the circumstances. Anxiety is thinking lowly of God. While the Bible allows of grief, it forbids excessive grief. It is difficult to bear with affliction, but it is cowardly to succumb.

(Biblical Illustrator Copyright) Dan_3:16-17; Mat_6:25-29; Mat_6:30-33; Mat_10:19; Mat_13:22; Luk_10:41; Luk_12:29; 1Co_7:21; 1Co_7:32; 1Pe_5:7; Heb_13:5 (Gen 37:36) And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 36

Joseph was bought by Potiphar, who was an officer for Pharaoh. The term “Officer,” is sawreece, and means “castrate.” In other words he was a eunuch. This would help explain why his wife would be so easily attracted to another man. It does appear strange that a eunuch would be married, so it must have been for the prestige of married life.

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 37—PAGE 37