Genealogies are not my thing, but you all know this. Because I'm pretty sure genealogies are not anyone's thing. Well, that's not totally true. They're my Uncle Dan's thing.
In verse 6, it starts to talk about how Esau had to move away from Jake because they both had too many possessions, and it got too crowded. That happens today all the time. We distance ourselves from people that are vital in our lives because we're so busy spending time and energy acquiring extraneous people and things.
That sucks, in my opinion. Though I know I'm just as guilty of it.
Shoutout to Anah in verse 24, because that adventurous bloke discovered hot springs in the desert. That must have been a welcome surprise for the family. My family would be pumped to find some hot springs.
Then there was a line of many kings.
And to God be the glory.
Genesis 37
The best analysis of Joseph's story in my mind is the popular musical "Joseph and the Technicolor a Dreamcoat." Here's how the story begins.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PA1EqovahRw
Everyone knows that playing favorites is not a good idea. Joseph's life is proof of that. His brothers got jealous and it sucked, and they resented him. Even though he was cherished so much by his dad, I'm sure he felt unbearably lonely sometimes simply because his brothers likely didn't talk to him much.
I see Joe as a little ignorant. He probably thought his brothers would be interested in this dream of his, because it was indeed fascinating, but they saw it as him having pride over them, or thinking he was better. This spoke more of their self-esteem than it does of his.
When Joseph didn't even think that could be the case, they jumped to that conclusion because they felt it in themselves. The whole "Joseph-is-better-than-us" mindset was self-inflicted. Jacob may have loved Joe more, or he may not have, but it doesn't change the other sons' worth at all. They were all God's favorite. They just didn't get that, in the same way we often don't get it.
After they reject his first dream, I don't understand why Jacob tells about the second one. Even his dad resents that dream, and though he already favors Jacob, finds the idea that he would "worship" his son ridiculous.
You know those times when parents urge you to spend time with the family members you get along with the least? I feel like that's what Jacob was doing. "hey, Joe, how about you go bond with your brothers? Some nice man time!"
That turned out really well.
However, I am moved at how Joseph seeks them in what seems to be earnest. He wants to spend time with them, to catch up with them, no matter how far he has to go. I don't know if his brothers saw this as overager, but I found their actions toward him heartbreaking. They were probably Joe's world, and they really didn't seem to want him. They made fun of him behind his back, and plotted to kill him. All Joe wanted was for Reuben to wrestle with him, or Levi to teach him how to shepherd the best, or whatever it is boys do.
I'm proud of Reuben in one sense for stepping up. I see him as sort of the leader of the band of angry brothers, so I'm glad he recognized it when his bros got out of control. He made up a plan so he could save Joe's life, but still appease the other brothers. I like the plan. It's solid, and it's human. It's not huge heroic act like we sometime see, but it's an effort nonetheless, and God uses it.
God does not use Reuben's effort in the way Reuben expects.
Jacob is not saved from being taken from them - he's delivered into the hands of a stranger. Reuben is horrified that he even took his eyes off him. The guilt has got to be staggering, though it's less his fault than any of his more bloodthirsty siblings.
Thinking his brother is as good as dead, Reuben agrees to the plan of Joseph's fake death, for their dad's sake.
And then, things began to get interesting.
No comments:
Post a Comment