The sons of Jacob

• 1^st – The life of Joseph… vs. 1
  • Jacob dwelt in the LAND as a stranger…
    • The same land where his father – Isaac – had been a stranger…
    • This is the history – GERNERATIONS of Jacob – the STORY of the SONS of Jacob!
  • We now enter the 5^th and final section of the book of Genesis…
    • Chapters 1-11 – the creation of the world – Adam and Eve – Noah – and the flood…
    • Chapters 12-24 – the life of Abraham…
    • Chapters 25-27 – the life of Isaac…
    • Chapters 26-36 – the life of Jacob…
    • Chapters 37-50 – we will follow the life of the sons of Jacob (primarily Joseph)!

• 2^nd – Joseph was HATED by his brothers…  vs. 2-11
  • 1^st – Joseph was a snitch (tattle tale) … vs. 2
    • When Joseph was only 17 years old – he was out helping to watch his father sheep…
      • With him were the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah – Dan / Naphtali / Gad / Asher
      • These four were the sons were likely the most distant from Jacob – sons of his servants…
      • They had all the reason to be resentful of Joseph – son of the favorite wife Jacob!
    • Joseph brought (hiphil) a bad REPORT…
      • REPORT – literally slander or gossip – meant to damage a reputation…
      • Joseph added to the spite of his brothers – told his Dad all the bad things they did!
      • Telling on someone else is not always is not always a good thing…
      • It depends on our motivation – to help someone – or to get them in trouble…
      • We are called to warn one anther not to sin – Hebrews 3:13
      • We are not called to try and get each other in trouble – spitefully tell on another!
      • Proverbs 10:18 – “Whoever spreads slander [same word] is a fool.”
  • 2^nd – Joseph was LOVED more than his brothers… vs. 3-4
    • Israel LOVE Joseph more than all his children – he was the son of his old age…
      • Jacob gave him – ONLY him – a coat with long sleeves (many colors)
      • You do NOT go out to work with a fancy long sleeved coat – it is formal wear…
      • The idea is it was not meant for hard work – but a sign he was to rule (the boss)!
    • All the brothers saw this special treatment – and HATED Joseph for it…
      • They could not so much as speak a single KIND word to him!
      • Favoritism amongst kids is always going to be a recipe for disaster…
      • Kids are smart – they know when a parent favors one child over another…
      • The result is it causes resentment or even hated amongst the kids…
      • Dads and Moms – it is our responsibility to love our kids equally!
  • 3^rd – Joseph would one-day rule over his brothers… vs. 5-11
    • Joseph had two dreams – and he told his brothers…
      • As a result is caused (hiphil – causative) they to HATE him even MORE!
      • Joseph was a bit cocky and arrogant – the dreams WERE from the Lord…
      • But the manner in which he told them – that he told them – tells us a lot about Joseph…
      • At this point he was a cocky teenager – PRIDEFUL – because he knew was the favorite son!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
      • PRIDE can be tricky – it is not always easy to see – but it always sets us up for a fall…
      • PRIDE can be – I think I know it all / I am never wrong / I do not need correction…
      • PRIDE can also be – thinking I am nothing / being shy…
      • Whether it is arrogance / or FALSE humility – if I am the focus it is PRIDE…
      • If I am the focus – then I am not looking to Jesus – and destruction is sure to follow!
    • First dream – the sheaves (bundles of harvested wheat) …
      • He told his brothers – hear (imperative – but with a please) this dream!
      • All 12 brothers had sheaves of wheat – but Joseph was made (niphal) to stand up …
      • Then all of the other brothers were forced (hishtaphel) to bowed down to Joseph…
      • The meaning was obvious – Joseph would rule over his brothers…
      • ALL the MORE this caused (hiphil) his brothers to HATE him for his dream – and words!
    • Second dream – the stars / sun / and moon…
      • Joseph had a second dream – and intensively TOLD (piel) his brothers…
      • The sun / moon / and eleven stars were forced bowed (hishtaphel) down to his STAR…
      • The sun was his father / the moon his mother / and the eleven stars his brothers…
      • The meaning again was obvious – Joseph would rule over his whole family!
    • When Jacob intensively TOLD (piel) his Father…
      • Jacob rebuked him – for his PRIDE – what is this dream you have dreamed…
      • Will you mother and I and your brothers be forced (hiphil) to bowed down to you!
      • Yet Jacob paid attention to (perfect) the dream – but his brothers ENVIED (piel) him!
      • Not every child is destined to do GREAT things in this world – save nations…
      • Those who seem to be more successful – tend to get more attention…
      • But God loves each of us the same – no one more than another – Galatians 3:28
      • In fact – God says he gives more honor to the less important!
      • Galatians 2:6 – “Those who seemed to be something–whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man.”
      • At the same time we need to be CAREFUL not to be JEALOUS of a bother / sister…
      • Sometimes when we see God do a work in others – we get JEALOUS…
      • We all have our place within the body of Christ – our purpose God has given to us…
      • Each role is vital for the church – the body of Christ – to function properly…
      • We might not think OUR PART is important – but there are no small roles with God!
      • I Corinthians 12:24 – “God has put the body together in such a way that EXTRA honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.” [NLT]
    • An important picture…
      • The book of Revelation is considered one of the hardest books of the Bible to understand…
      • The reason is because people do NOT KNOW their Bible…
      • All of the imagery in Revelation comes from OTHER BOOKS of the Bible!
      • Revelation 12:1-5 – “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars…”
      • The imagery used here in Genesis is important to understand…
      • It is used in the Book of Revelation to describe a woman as the nation of Israel!
      • She has 12 stars / sun / moon – gives birth to a son – whom satan tries to devour…
      • The son she gave birth to – rule over all nations – Jesus Christ!
      • The OT and NT are like two halves a coin – they fit together perfectly…
      • The more we study and know the OT – the more fully we will understand the NT…
      • That is why we go through the whole Bible – to get the whole counsel of God!
      • Acts 20:27 – “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”

• 3^rd – Betrayed by his brothers… vs. 12-36
  • 1^st – The flocks at Shechem… vs. 12-17
    • The older brothers went to watch the flocks of Jacob in Shechem…
      • Interesting to consider the plot to kill Joseph takes place bear Shechem…
      • A place where Levi and Simeon had murdered all the men of the city!
      • Jacob told Joseph to go (imperative) see if all was WELL with his brothers…
      • In other words – CHECK UP on his brothers – spy on them – and bring back the report!
    • When Joseph arrived in Shechem – a man found him and asked what he was seeking (piel) …
      • The man told him they had gone to Dothan (two wells) – home of Elisha – II Kings 6:13
      • Note – there should have been no MEN in Shechem – so who was this MAN…
      • It is possible this was an ANGEL – who led Joseph into a trap!
      • We are left to wonder why God might intentionally lead Joseph people into a trap…
      • The answer is because He wanted him to learn to depend on the Lord!
      • If we can depend on ourselves – or others in life – we will…
      • So God will put us in positions in life – where there is no way out – a trap!
      • He does it so that we have no other choice – than to trust in and depend on Him!
      • II Corinthians 1:8-9 – “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead…”
  • 2^nd – The betrayal… vs. 18-28
    • While Joseph was still far off – his brothers saw him coming…
      • Still jealous of his dreams – not wanting Joseph to rule over them…
      • They decided to silence the dreamer – they plotted (hiphil) to kill him!
      • Come let us kill and cast (cohortative) into some pit – and say an evil beast devoured him…
      • The COHORTATIVE adds emphasis – they REALLY wanted to kill Joseph!
      • Then we will see what becomes of all his dreams!
    • Reuben came to his rescue – he convinced his brothers not to kill him…
      • His hope was to deliver Joseph back safely to their father once the brothers left…
      • In the meantime they stripped Joseph of his long sleeved coat (many colors) …
      • Then threw him in an empty cistern (rainwater catch) …
      • Not a much better fate – he the brothers intended to let him starve to death…
      • Almost in a taunt – indifferent – the brothers then sat down to eat!
      • Coldly ignoring the pleas of Joseph for help – ignoring his cries!
        
    • As they ate – they looked up (timing) – and saw some Ishmaelite traders…
      • They JUST HAPPENED to be heading down to Egypt…
      • JUDAH said – what profit is it if we kill our brother – conceal his blood…
      • Come (imperative) let us REALLY sell (cohortative) him – and not lay hands no him…
      • The brothers listened (were content) with the decision…
      • So they pulled Joseph out of the pit – and sold him for 20 pieces of silver!
      • And the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar – and officer of Pharao!
    • All this because the brothers did not want Joseph to rule over them…
      • Rejected by his brothers – the TWELVE – betrayed and sold to Egypt (world) …
      • Thought to be dead – but destined to become rule all of Egypt (world) …
      • Only to be accepted by his brothers when they see him the second time – Genesis 45:3-8
      • All of which should sound very familiar – a picture of Jesus Christ!
      • Judas – one of the TWELVE – would betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver – Matthew 26:15
      • According to Exodus 21:32 – the price paid for a slave accidently gored by an ox…
      • But the Lord said – throw it to the potter – this price for THE PRINCE – Zechariah 11:13
      • All because the Jews did not want to accept their brother to rule over them!
      • But those who reject Jesus today – we will still bow one day – Philippians 2:10-11
      • There is a difference between bowing NOW and bowing LATER…
      • If we bow now to Jesus – salvation / if we wait to bow later – it is in judgment!
      • Right now is the time to believe – toady is the day to receive the free gift / grace of God!
      • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Today is the day of salvation.”
  • 3^rd – The cover up… vs. 29-36
    • Reuben returned to RESCUE Joseph – but he was already gone…
      • He tore his clothes – and came back to his brothers – where shall I go (what will we do) …
      • They took the long sleeved coat of Joseph – and dipped it in the blood of a goat…
      • When they brought (piel) it to Jacob – he assumed a wild animal (lion) had torn him apart!
      • When we choose to sin – we do not want to admit it – we want to cover it up…
      • We may even think we get away with it – no one seems to know…
      • But even if no one else sees – we know – and God sees – Hebrew 4:13
      • Numbers 32:23 – “Be sure your sin will find you out.”
    • All of the son and daughters of Jacob tried to comfort (piel) him – but he refused (piel) …
      • He mourned – and refused to be comforted – I will go to my grave mourning!
      • The choice the brothers made would haunt them for the next 20 years!
      • CONVICTION does not go away – it will continue to eat at us until we confess…
      • Sin separates us from God – keep us from having fellowship with the Lord…
      • CONVICTION is how God tries to bring us back into fellowship with him…
      • It is that nagging reminder that we have sinned – and need to turn and repent!

• 4^th – Running from sin… vs.  1-5
  • 1^st – It came to pass at that TIME – Judah departed from his brothers… vs. 1
    • Judah had been the leader in selling Joseph into slavery…
    • It is more than likely that Judah was filled with CONVICTION…
    • He had betrayed his brother – lied to his father – sinned against God…
    • He did not want to be around things that would remind him – so he left!
    • When we get caught up in sin – and do NOT want to repent – we often choose to RUN…
    • We want to get away from anything that reminds us of what we have done…
    • That means – Christians / church / the Bible / Prayer…
    • Sin keeps us from God – because we choose to stay away from God!
  • 2^nd – A wife for Judah… vs. 2
    • Judah went to visit Hirah (nobility) in Adullam (close to the valley of Elah) …
    • There saw the daughter of Shua (wealthy) – and married her…
    • Judah left his family to be with nobility – and marry into money and wealth…
    • The grass looked greener on the other side of the fence – the world was the answer!
    • When we run from the Lord – we end up running to the world…
    • Trying everything the world says will make us happy – money / pleasure / position…
    • But nothing in the world can fill the God shaped whole in our hearts…
    • It is like drinking water – yet never able to overcome your thirst…
    • It seems to work for a moment – then we are thirsty again – even thirstier!
    • John 4:13-14 – “Jesus said, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.’”
  • 3^rd – Judah had 3 sons by the daughter of Shua… vs. 3-5
    • Er (awake) / Onan (strength) / and Shelah (request) born in Chezib (false) …
    • God kept trying to get the attention of Judah!
    • He wanted Judah to WAKE UP – realize he had sinned and turn to the Lord…
    • He wanted Judah to realize God was his STRENGTH – he could not do it on his own…
    • He wanted Judah to REQUEST the Lord for His forgiveness…
    • But Judah was not willing to listen – his heart was still hardened by his sin!
    • The Lord is never far from us – He is as close as repentance – turning around…
    • The moment we turn back to the Lord – we will find He was there waiting…
    • But God will not force us – He waits for us to repent!

• 5^th – The example of sin… vs.  6-11
  • 1^st – Many years passed… vs. 6-7
    • Judah took a wife named Tamar (palm tree) for his oldest son Er… 
    • As a result of Judah living far from the Lord – his kids were even farther…
    • His oldest son Er – did not even know of the Lord – and was an EVIL man…
    • And his EVIL ways ended up costing him his life – the Lord killed him!
    • Every parent wants their children to be successful – to have a fruitful life…
    • We give them the best education we possibly can – teach them to work hard…
    • But so often we miss the key ingredient – teach them to abide in Jesus…
    • The only way our kids will be successful – fruitful in life – is in Christ!
  • 2^nd – Judah told his second son Onan to marry Tamar… vs. 8-10
    • Go (imperative) and marry Tamar – and raise up (hiphil) an heir for Er…
      • This would later become part of the Law of Moses – Deuteronomy 25:5-6
      • If a brother died without children – the wife was to marry another brother…
      • That way the line of the dead brother would be preserved!
    • Onan took Tamar as his wife – but he refused to give her children…
      • He knew they would be accounted as his brothers – not his own…
      • This displeased the Lord – so He also killed Onan!
      • Judah had not loved his brother (sold Joseph) – passed on the example to his sons…
      • Onan also did not love his brother – was not willing to give him an heir!
      • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
      • How we live our lives sets and example for our families…
      • We will either help lead people to the Lord – or lead them away…
      • It is easy to say that we believe in Jesus – follow Jesus – but it is not about words…
      • Lamps do NOT talk – they SHINE – what do others see coming from our lives!
  • 3^rd – The promise to Tamar… vs. 11-
    • Judah only had one son left – Shelah – who was too young to marry…
    • Even if he was older – Tamar must have looked like a curse – two dead husbands…
    • Therefore he sent Tamar to the house of her father – to WAIT as a widow…
    • But – Tamar was not the problem – the sons of Judah had died because of his example!
    • When the consequences of our sin find us – we often look to blame others…
    • If we are unfriendly – find we have no friends – we blame others for not liking us…
    • If we are greedy – and only look to take – we blame others for not giving to us!
    • It is far easier to see the faults in others – then to look at our own shortcomings…
    • If the problem is others – than we do NOT have to change…
    • If we admit we are the problem – we are wrong – then we have to repent!

• 6^th – Results of sin… vs. 12-23
  • 1^st – In the process of time – the wife of Judah died… vs. 12
    • Judah went to be comforted (niphal) by his friend Hirah the Adullamite in Timnah…
    • For a second time Judah ran to the world in a time of trouble / sorrow…
    • For a second time that choice will end up getting him into more trouble!
    • We do not often learn the first time – the world does not have the answers to life…
    • How many times will it take us to learn the lesson – life is just about knowing Jesus!
    • If we do not learn this time – God is patient – He will let us go around again!
  • 2^nd – Tamar heard Judah was coming… vs. 13-23
    • She knew Shelah was old enough to marry – yet Judah had not given her to him as a wife…
      • So she put on a veil (piel) – dressing up as a prostitute – and waiting along the road…
      • When Judah saw her – he turned aside – and propositioned her…
      • Let me (imperative – please) come into you (cohortative) – not knowing it was Tamar…
      • She asked what he was willing to pay – they settled on a goat as the FEE…
      • Judah did not have the goat – so he gave her his signet (ring) / chord (bracelet) / and staff…
      • All of these would have been symbols that undeniably belonged to Judah!
      • So Tamar became pregnant by her father-in-law Judah…
      • She returned to her the house of her father – and put back on her widows clothes!
    • Judah was quite embarrassed by what he had done…
      • He sent his friend Hirah to go and pay his DEBT of the goat…
      • But he could not find the prostitute – and when he asked – no one had seen her…
      • Judah decided to leave it alone – fearful he would be ashamed!
      • Sin PROMISES to give us the world – but in truth it only takes from us…
      • Having PROMISED everything – sin only leaves us empty – COSTING us everything…
      • The problem is we rarely see the COST while we sin – it sends the BILL afterwards!

• 7^th – Redemption from sin… vs. 24-30
  • 1^st – Three months later… vs. 24
    • Word came Tamar had played the Harlot – and was pregnant…
      • Judah was quick to JUDGE – bring her here (hiphil) and burn (niphal) her!
      • Because he was GUILTY for selling Joseph / having affair with a harlot…
      • When we are in sin – we are quick to see the sins in the lives of others…
      • We are SENSITIVE because we are CONVICTED by the sin in our life!
    • Are we every allowed to JUDGE others…
      • Luke 6:27 – “Judge not, and you shall not be judged…”
      • I have heard people say you CANNOT judge me – only God can judge me…
      • And to some extent I think I understand what they mean – but they are WRONG!
      • This is not talking about judging ACTIONS but judging the INTENT of the heart…
      • We absolutely can JUDGE the actions of someone – by comparing them to the Word…
      • If what someone is doing in CONTRARY to the Word – then we can say it is WRONG!
      • But we CANNOT judge why someone does something – what their MOTIVE is…
      • Only God knows the motive of the heart – only He can Judge that!
      • Psalm 44:21 – “For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
  • 2^nd – Who is the father of the child… vs. 25-26
    • When they brought (hophal) Tamar out – presumably to burn her alive…
      • She sent three things to Judah – a ring / bracelets / and a staff…
      • Judah was caught – he had to acknowledge (hiphil) he was the father…
      • He also acknowledged he had failed to keep his word – he had NOT given Shelah to Tamar…
    • Because Judah had been CAUGHT – he was forced to confess his sins!
      • When someone gets drunk – wakes up the next morning with a splitting headache…
      • Has cuts and bruises because they got into a fight they cannot even remember…
      • Of course they swear they will – NEVER do that again – because they are miserable…
      • So why is it that after a month / week / day – it happens again!
      • If we do not turn from our sinful ways TO JESUS – we will not change…
      • True repentance is seen through a transformed life – no longer doing the same things!
      • Not that we are perfect – but we are different – desiring to live for Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 7:10 – “Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
  • 3^rd – The scarlet thread… vs. 27-30
    • Tamar had twins – the first came out – and a scarlet thread was put on his hand…
      • But the second then ended up coming out first – he was called Perez (breach) …
      • When the first came out with the scarlet thread – he was called Zerah (rising)!
    • In the line of Jesus Christ…
      • Judah had messed up – a lot – over a long time – but God was not done with him…
      • In fact – of all the sons of Jacob – Jesus would come through Judah…
      • Not only through Judah – but through the son of his affair with Tamar!
      • Matthew 1:3 – “Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar…”
      • Sometimes we think God could not use us because we made too many mistakes…
      • We think that God CANNOT not use us because of our past…
      • Yet God put a sinner (Judah) and prostitute (Tamar) into the lineage of Jesus Christ!
      • In Jesus Christ we are no longer defined by our past – our mistakes…
      • Instead we are now simply defined by Jesus!

II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”