11Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.the land of Canaan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jacob/Israel finally is where he is supposed to be, Jacob/Israel finally is where he is supposed to be, but the damage of his trusting in himself rather but the damage of his trusting in himself rather than God has resulted in family tragedy.than God has resulted in family tragedy.

He lives in fear (needlessly) of Esau.He lives in fear (needlessly) of Esau.His daughter Dinah was “raped” and assimilated.His daughter Dinah was “raped” and assimilated.His sons became murders and slave traders.His sons became murders and slave traders.Jacob/Israel’s concern is for their safety, not their Jacob/Israel’s concern is for their safety, not their character.character.

Nothing changes here . . .Nothing changes here . . .

11Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.the land of Canaan. 22This is the account of Jacob. This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~There is a ranking of the importance of sons here.There is a ranking of the importance of sons here.

The sons of Leah:The sons of Leah: Reuben Reuben SimeonSimeonLeviLeviJudahJudahIssachar Issachar ZebulunZebulun

The sons of Rachel: The sons of Rachel: JosephJosephBenjaminBenjamin

The sons of The sons of Zilpah:Zilpah:

Gad Gad AsherAsher

The sons of The sons of Bilhah:Bilhah:

DanDanNaphtali Naphtali

mid to late mid to late 30’s?30’s?

11Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.the land of Canaan. 22This is the account of Jacob. This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. their father a bad report about them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~There is a ranking of the importance of sons here.There is a ranking of the importance of sons here.

The sons of Leah:The sons of Leah: Reuben Reuben SimeonSimeonLeviLeviJudahJudahIssachar Issachar Zebulun Zebulun

T: T: JosephJosephBenjaminBenjamin

The sons of The sons of Zilpah:Zilpah:

Gad Gad AsherAsher

The sons of The sons of Bilhah:Bilhah:

DanDanNaphtali Naphtali

11Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.the land of Canaan. 22This is the account of Jacob. This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. their father a bad report about them. 33Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We do not understand exactly what the We do not understand exactly what the nature of this garment was, but it designatednature of this garment was, but it designatedJoseph as being as superior to his brothers inJoseph as being as superior to his brothers inhis father’s sight.his father’s sight.

Parental favoritism is never well received Parental favoritism is never well received by the unfavored.by the unfavored.

11Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.the land of Canaan. 22This is the account of Jacob. This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. their father a bad report about them. 33Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 44When his brothers saw that their father loved him When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. speak a kind word to him.

55Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. brothers, they hated him all the more. 66He said to He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: them, “Listen to this dream I had: 77We were binding We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

55Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. brothers, they hated him all the more. 66He said to He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: them, “Listen to this dream I had: 77We were binding We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 88His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. had said.

99Then he had another dream, and he told it to his Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”bowing down to me.”

99Then he had another dream, and he told it to his Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”bowing down to me.” 1010When he told his father as well as his brothers, his When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” you?” 1111His brothers were jealous of him, but his His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.father kept the matter in mind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If he was hated for the former dream, why does tell If he was hated for the former dream, why does tell this next this next one as well? one as well?

Even Jacob/Israel struggles with this!Even Jacob/Israel struggles with this!But he is intrigued none the less.But he is intrigued none the less.

(Note that Rachel was dead at this point. Was (Note that Rachel was dead at this point. Was Jacob/Israel indicating a belief in resurrection or Jacob/Israel indicating a belief in resurrection or was Leah being referred to as the #1 wife now?) was Leah being referred to as the #1 wife now?)

Are you Are you getting tired getting tired of him yet?of him yet?

1212Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, flocks near Shechem, 1313and Israel said to Joseph, “As and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “ “Very well,” he replied. Very well,” he replied. 1414So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothersyour brothers and with the flocks, and bring word and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.Hebron. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~His father’s spoiled snitch.His father’s spoiled snitch.Are they behaving? Are they behaving? Bitter people usually do not to the best work.Bitter people usually do not to the best work.

1212Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, flocks near Shechem, 1313and Israel said to Joseph, “As and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “ “Very well,” he replied. Very well,” he replied. 1414So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothersyour brothers and with the flocks, and bring word and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem, When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 1515a man found a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?” “What are you looking for?” 1616He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. CanHe replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” 1717“They have moved on from here,” the man “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’ ” answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’ ” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The brothers had not been checking in or leaving The brothers had not been checking in or leaving forwarding instructions. (Wandering in the fields.)forwarding instructions. (Wandering in the fields.)

This is not responsible . . .This is not responsible . . .

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. near Dothan. 1818But they saw him in the distance, But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 1919“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. other. 2020“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him.devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”dreams.”

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. near Dothan. 1818But they saw him in the distance, But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 1919“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. other. 2020“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him.devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”dreams.” 2121When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 2222“Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.” here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.from them and take him back to his father. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was Reubern trying to earn his way back in toWas Reubern trying to earn his way back in to his father’s grace or was he simply being his father’s grace or was he simply being semi-righteous. semi-righteous.

2323So when Joseph came to his brothers, they So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing— he was wearing— 2424and they took him and threw him and they took him and threw him into the cistern.into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. was no water in it.

2323So when Joseph came to his brothers, they So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing— he was wearing— 2424and they took him and threw him and they took him and threw him into the cistern.into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. was no water in it. 2525As they sat down to eat their meal, As they sat down to eat their meal,

Wow! That Wow! That was hard was hard

work! We’re work! We’re hungry!hungry!

2323So when Joseph came to his brothers, they So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing— he was wearing— 2424and they took him and threw him and they took him and threw him into the cistern.into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. was no water in it. 2525As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead.and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead.

Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.to Egypt. 2626Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? kill our brother and cover up his blood? 2727Come, let’s Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. blood.” His brothers agreed.

2828So when the Midianite merchants came by, his So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.who took him to Egypt.

2929When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 3030He went He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”Where can I turn now?” 3131Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. and dipped the robe in the blood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2929When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 3030He went He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”Where can I turn now?” 3131Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. and dipped the robe in the blood. 3232They took the They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” robe.” 3333He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”surely been torn to pieces.”

2929When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 3030He went He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”Where can I turn now?” 3131Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. and dipped the robe in the blood. 3232They took the They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” robe.” 3333He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”surely been torn to pieces.” 3434Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. mourned for his son many days. 3535All his sons and All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him. to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.

2929When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 3030He went He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”Where can I turn now?” 3131Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. and dipped the robe in the blood. 3232They took the They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” robe.” 3333He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”surely been torn to pieces.” 3434Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. mourned for his son many days. 3535All his sons and All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him. to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him. 3636Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.guard.

What if we didn’t know how this story ends up?

Would we be tempted to think that there is no controlling force in the universe other than rotten people?

Could we conclude that there is not “controlling force” at all?

Would we conclude that chaos is the rule rather than the exception?

Joseph in chains might say, “Some kind of god my dad follows!”

There were no promises that we know that would required Joseph to alive.

But we know the end of this story and it is really great, for a while at least, until the Egyptians forget about Joseph.

It gets bad again. It gets very, very bad for hundreds of years.

Do all of our stories have happy endings? Does it always work out in the end?

Hebrew 11:35-38 Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Do all of our stories have happy endings? Does it always work out in the end?

Do all of our stories have happy endings? Does it always work out in the end?

What is the end of the Joseph story?

Bethlehem?

The cross?

The empty tomb?

A tree and a throne in a city?

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Romans 8 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Revelation 21 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Revelation 22 1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Can we trust God in the chapter 37s?Hebrews 10 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Can we trust God in the chapter 37s?Hebrews 10 35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Can we trust God in the chapter 37s?Hebrews 12 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. . . . 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Endure hardship: keep on being the Endure hardship: keep on being the last one remaining.last one remaining.

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Can we trust God in the chapter 37s?Hebrews 12 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. . . . 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Discipline: the complete child raising Discipline: the complete child raising

strategystrategy

What about your story?

How hard is it? (yesterday/today)

How does it end?

Can we trust God in the chapter 37s?Hebrews 12 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. . . . 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. treating: bring toward something; to treating: bring toward something; to

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