Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
Joseph had a pretty sweet life going. He was trusted by his father to watch over the sheep with his brothers. When he brought concerns about the way his brothers tended the sheep, his father listened. His father had also made it clear that he was considered the future leader of the family. For a 17 year old, being chosen over his much older brothers, that must have been frightening and amazing all at the same time. Then to be given a coat that would make that leadership clear to all, yes, life was pretty sweet for Joseph.
Not for his older brothers. They had really screwed up with Shechem. And Reuben had really screwed up with Bilhah. And evidently, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah had also screwed up with the herds. And now their younger brother was being promoted at the head of the family. All their lives they had lived with the knowledge that their mothers were not the favored wife. They must have felt a second-class member of the family. that whole things with Uncle Esau – who got put out in the front just in case Esau wanted to kill anyone? Not Joseph. He was safe in the back.
That coat must have been a great slap in the face to them.
Then came the dreams.
Dreams are curious things. Do they mean anything? Can we learn something from them? When they come from God, as did Joseph’s dreams, absolutely. Sheaves of grain and stars in the sky bowing down before him – this must have either troubled him or made him wonder at the meaning. But Joseph was old enough to know that his brothers hated him because of their father’s obvious favor toward him. And yet he told them his dreams.
After the horrible series of events that happened in yesterday’s reading, it feels like we should be due for a happy story. The story of Joseph’s “coat of many colors” is a happy children’s story, right? But the Bible tells life as it really is.
Read Genesis Chapter 37 and watch for all the evil/bad ideas.
ESV – Genesis 37 – Bible Hub
NLT – Genesis 37 – Bible Hub
There are some key things to notice. 1) Reuben is the oldest. What does he plan to do? 2) What is Judah’s plan? Judah is the fourth-born. 3) Which brother/brothers do you think suggested the murder plan? The Bible doesn’t say, but we’ve already seen which of the brothers are hot-heads.
It is interesting to see how each of the brothers had a plan. Reuben had a noble plan, but left before carrying it out. Where did he go? What did he do? And why would he leave his younger brother in the hands of those who had just spoken of killing him?
Meanwhile, Judah was there all the way through. While selling one’s brother into slavery is pretty bad (and to his cousins no less! – Ishmaelites are the descendants of Ishmael), at least he won’t be killed at the hands of his brothers. And the brothers present listened to Judah.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
Because all the troubles in today’s reading results from Jacob’s favoritism, today’s memory work is about that. Keep reviewing the verses from before!
James 2:8-9 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
There are many references to Joseph being sold into slavery throughout the Bible. Here are a few that give additional insights into this portion of Joseph’s life.
Acts 7:9 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him…
Psalm 105:16-19 He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;
and he sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.
They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lord proved him true.
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Are you part of God’s people? Do you stand with those who declare that Jesus is your Lord and Leader? Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and that God brought Him back to life so that we can follow Him? If you haven’t already decided that, talk to God about becoming one of His own. You can pray something like this simple prayer.
Dear Lord, I want to be one of Yours. Please open my eyes to see who You really are. Please give me a new heart and mind so I can love You first in my life.
As you pray today, ask God where it is that you are tripping in your life like Joseph. Where are those places that your sins and failures impact those you love? And as you pray, remember that the God Who was with Joseph as he was taking into slavery, is the same God Who goes with His people into hard times and places.
Thank You, Father, that You are with us, even as You were with Joseph as he was taken to Egypt. Thank You that when those around us fail us, or betray us, that what they mean for evil You can bring around for good. Help us trust in You in our times of great need. Help us confess to You those times that we blow it and bring evil to others. Grant us hearts that truly love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to share love and joy with those in our lives instead of selfishness and pain.
Part 4 – Endurance Training
As Joseph was taken off into captivity, he was being propelled into a season which will stretch him to the limits of his endurance. But God was with him. Keep enduring yourself, remembering that if you are one of God’s people, He is with you, too.
An Extra Lap
It is a common practice for the oldest son to become the head of the family upon the father’s death. But have you noticed that God keeps turning that idea upside down? Isaac was chosen over the first born Ishmael. Jacob was chosen over the first born Esau. And Judah will ultimately be chosen by God over Reuben.
As you have read through Genesis, what other cultural norms have you noticed God has turned upside-down?
Faith Gym 