Genesis 37

Life Application

1. The problem of social disorder (younger vs older) had a history in this family.

2. Joseph’s parents and brothers (sheaves, the sun and moon, and eleven stars) did bow down to him.

3. Joseph’s brothers and father could not see in him what God saw in him. Fear and jealousy are blinding.

4. Joseph’s own suffering and isolation caused him to forget the dreams God gave him. 
Genesis 42:9, “And Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them…”

5. Sometimes the people closest to you will fail you in horrific ways. Christ-esteem overrides family-esteem.

6. Joseph’s brothers negotiated his worth between the Ishmaelite (Abraham and Hagar) and Midianite (Abraham and Keturah) slave traders. The Ishmaelites gave the highest bid. In their eyes, he was worth 20 shekels of silver. In God’s eyes, you are worth the life of His Son (John 3:16).

7. God was preparing a savior figure before the catastrophe in Egypt even happened.

8. En route to Egypt, the Ishaelmites sold Joseph to the Midianites and parted ways. Joseph was hated, shamed, abandoned, sold to human traffickers twice before he was sold the third time in Egypt.

9. Once in Egypt, the Midianites sold Joseph to Potipher, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard.

10. God is slowly and strategically moving Joseph to the exact place at the exact time to accomplish His wise and good will to bring the Savior Jesus Christ to the world.

LIFE APPLICATION

1. Esau’s marriages: idolatry and manipulation.

2. God continually offered grace upon grace to Esau.

3. The Word of God gives us the contrast between Jacob and Esau (choices and relationships).

4. God is not foolish with His judgment and His mercy.

5. What decision(s) do we need to make to follow Jesus with all our hearts.

6. What is God’s vision of influence in you for the future?

1. God told Jacob to go to Bethel. We must go to our Bethel. Return to the place where we met God. Revelation 2:4, “But I have this against you, that you have  left your first love.”

2. Burying idols, purifying ourselves, changing our clothes.

a. Burying our idols means confessing and forsaking our sin.

b. Burying our past means we stop fixating on our past and perpetuating the lie that the blood of Jesus isn’t powerful enough to cancel out the guilt and shame of our past.

c. Purifying ourselves and changing our clothes means we will live differently now.

3. You are what God says you are, cf., Acts 10:15; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21.

4. Even when we are “pleasing Him in all respects” (Col 1:10), we still may experience heartbreaking tragedy. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.

5. Esau and Jacob buried their father Isaac at Hebron. Isaac lived to be 180 years of age.

Life Application

1. Jacob finally found a humble and obedient heart.

2. Jacob was terrified of Esau.

3. By faith, Jacob held God to His promises.

4. Jacob was so spiritual resolved he wouldn’t quit.

5. Jacob’s change of heart led to a change of name.

6. Jacob met God before he met Esau.

7. When Jacob repented he saw Esau from God’s perspective.