Some time later, Joseph's brothers had gone to pasture their father's flocks near Shechem. Sermons
I. THAT AT HOME WE SHOULD, LIKE JOSEPH, LEARN TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE LIFE. Doubtless Jacob would tell Joseph of the promises of God to Abraham, of the tradition of the Deluge and the Fall; probably also of his own fleeing from home, and his dream in the desert, when he saw "the great altar-stair sloping through darkness up to God," and the angels ascending and descending. Joseph always afterwards has great faith in dreams. No book had he. The Bible was not written. Traditions and oral teaching formed his mental training. II. AT HOME WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE SOME EMPLOYMENT. His father loved him too dearly to allow him to grow up in habits of idleness. He learned to handle the crook and to become a faithful messenger. No work is to be despised, for all may be a preparation for future usefulness. III. AT HOME WE SHOULD NOT WILLINGLY BE WITNESSES OF WRONGDOING. The lives of Joseph's brethren were sinful, and their doings deceitful. Some things he is obliged to know about of which it is dangerous to keep silence. The welfare of the whole tribe was being risked by the elder brothers, and Joseph, fearing that, tells his father, or seeks counsel that he may be strengthened to resist evil influence. IV. AT HOME WE MAY HAVE GLOWING VISIONS OF THE FUTURE. The two dreams concerning the sheaves, and the sun and moon and stars, brought hate from his brethren, but they had an influence on Joseph's after life. They were remarkably fulfilled. We all have some such visions. We build "castles in the air." The stern realities of life tone down our dreams. It is well to have some such dreams. Without them few make any advance in life. We are not to be like mere senseless stones, but growing plants. Better is it to bear fruit than to wait to become only the sport of circumstances. - H.
His brethren went to feed their father's flock. Do you discover in this any type of the Redeemer? Does it remind you of one who left a far better home, and descended from the bosom of a far more illustrious father, to travel through this wilderness world in quest of his wicked and wandering brethren? Brethren, there is a closer analogy between the two cases than appears at first sight. It was at his father's command that Joseph abandoned the comforts of his father's home and became a wanderer in search of his brethren; and it was equally at the command of His Father that Jesus came down from His eternal home in the bosom of the Father, to seek and to save our fallen race. We sadly overlook this in our theology. The Lord Jesus, then, did not come into our world unsent. He was "the Messenger of the Covenant," the Sent of the Father. He did not come to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him. The obedience of Jesus to His Father, however, infinitely surpasses the obedience of Joseph. Joseph might have anticipated danger, but he could not certainly know that his brethren would treat him roughly and cruelly. Jesus came into the world, having a perfect knowledge of every indignity that awaited Him. Imagine yourselves each a beloved Joseph sent forth by a fond father to your brethren with a message of peace and love; speak to your fellow sinners in this way — talk to them of the glories of your Father's home — point them to an everlasting resting-place in a Saviour's arms — entreat them no longer to wander in the wilderness.(E. Dalton.) People Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, ZilpahPlaces Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of HebronTopics Brethren, Brothers, Father's, Feed, Flock, Flocks, Graze, Pasture, Shechem, WatchOutline 1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.5. His dreams and the interpretation. 12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him. 21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit; 25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; 29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him. 31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately. 36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar. Dictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 37:1-35Library Joseph, the Prime Minister'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth Man's Passions and God's Purpose Talmage -- a Bloody Monster The Crucifixion. The Sixth Commandment Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud Genesis Links Genesis 37:12 NIVGenesis 37:12 NLT Genesis 37:12 ESV Genesis 37:12 NASB Genesis 37:12 KJV Genesis 37:12 Bible Apps Genesis 37:12 Parallel Genesis 37:12 Biblia Paralela Genesis 37:12 Chinese Bible Genesis 37:12 French Bible Genesis 37:12 German Bible Genesis 37:12 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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