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In Genesis chapter thirty-seven, verse twenty-eight, Joseph’s older brothers have agreed to sell him as a bondslave to the Ishmaelites. The Midianites merchantmen passed by, and the brothers sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver, and they brought him to Egypt. Buying help was the going rate for a teenage serf at the time. Joseph’s […]

In Genesis, chapter thirty-seven, verse five, Joseph dreamed a dream. However, this is not the first time a vision begins. In Genesis chapter twenty, verse three, God came to Abimelech in a dream by night regarding Sarah, Abraham’s wife. God sometimes reveals His will to us through prophetic dreams to help direct our path in

In Genesis, chapter thirty-seven, verse three, describes the “coat of many colors” that Joseph receives from his father. It presents a marked contrast to the plainer tunics worn by his brothers. The “coat of many colors” represents a position of special favoritism and honor with his father. Jacob deeply loved Joseph’s mother, Rachel, while regarding

In Genesis, chapter thirty-seven, verse two begins the “generations of Jacob.” Jacob’s son Joseph was born to him by his beloved late wife, Rachel. The time of Joseph reveals how Jacob’s descendants became a nation that lived in Egypt. Joseph’s loyalty shows toward his God and the many ways by which God protected and directed

In Genesis, chapter thirty-six, verse six, Esau prospered materially, yet he did not spiritually. His life characterizes by little regard for spiritual things. Esau was a cunning hunter, and he had a craftiness for the outdoors. To become crafty, a person would need to spend quite a bit of time gaining experience to find their

In Genesis chapter thirty-five, verse twenty-two, Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob’s twelve sons, was entitled to the birthright and the first place of leadership, honor, and power. Instead, Jacob’s firstborn commits a sexual sin with his father’s concubine and removes him from that position. In other words, failure in character manifested by serious sinful actions

In Genesis chapter thirty-five, verse eighteen, Leah and Rachel named all Jacob’s children. However, Rachel named one of her children Ben-oni which means son of my sorrow. A name like this would have put a terrible burden of guilt on the boy and made him think he was responsible for his mother’s death. Jacob changed

In Genesis chapter thirty-five, verse two, God directed Jacob’s family to go to Bethel to bring them closer to obedience to His word. Jacob realizes the depth of spiritual deterioration in his family and commands his family to “Put away the strange gods among you.” This spiritual renewal in Jacob’s family consists of removing everything

In Genesis chapter thirty-four, verse seven, the sons of Jacob were justifiably angry about the violation of their sister and knew they could not tolerate such a disgraceful deed. They sinned, however, by retaliating in an excessive ruthless manner. Why were Jacob’s sons upset? Before the reaction from what Jacob’s sons heard about their sister

Shechem shares his name with the city or region where Jacob and his family now live. Perhaps he is named after its founder: His father, Hamor the Hivite, is the “prince” or ruler of the city. Shechem, then, is the son of a powerful man. This influential man comes across Dinah, a daughter of Jacob