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Genesis 35-37 Let us do a quick review of what has happened thus far. Jacob finally breaks free of his Uncle Laban’s scheming. He journeys home to face his brother . But before he encounters his brother, he has a wrestling match with God and loses, and during the fight he realizes who he is up against, and he clung to God and asked for Him to Bless him. God does, and now Jacob’s name is changed to Israel, which means Governed by God. He faces his brother, they make up, and Jacob still a schemer, says I’ll catch up to you bro go ahead. And Jacob goes a different way. He does not go to Bethel, which as we will see tonight should have been his destination, but stops off near Shechem. Well he instead of being the spiritual leader of his household, kind of leaves his children to themselves. Dinah his little princess makes friends with the girls of Shechem. They teach her their provocative ways, and she than catches the eye of the prince Shechem. P a g e | 2

Now in the Canaanite lands the men would not think twice to have sex with whomever they wanted. Especially a prince, he did not know the customs, and morals of Dinah’s people. And he rapes her, and falls in love with her, and wants to marry her. Well then her brothers are infuriated. Simeon and Levi make a scandalous deal with the people of Shechem, if they circumcise every male they will intermarry with them. They instead on the 3rd day, the most painful day of this procedure go in and in revenge kill every male of the city. And Jacob now worries the Canaanites all over the land will now come against them. So this is where our story picks up. Jacob's Return to Bethel 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." So God tells Jacob go to the place where we met before. P a g e | 3

It seems Jacob may have forgotten the promises of God. His household is not in order. His daughter befriended the pagans of the area; two of his sons were murderers and creating enemies. It seems Jacob, once again has become independent and is trying to go through life without God’s purpose and plans. He has forgotten God’s Will for his life, and is now trying to make his own way. How many of us have experienced this? You were once walking with God, experiencing His Love, and Plan for your lives. Then somehow, usually because things start going good, you feel you can step out on your own, you kind of got things figured out. But instead of doing better you thrash things. Your life is full of turmoil because you are making mistake after mistake. Well learn as Jacob does. Go back to your first love. I like what Jesus tells the church in Ephesus…

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Rev 2:4-6 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. This is the awesome thing about our God. He offers a one step program to get back on track. Repent, come back to Him. If you are finding yourself tonight away from God. Listen to Him, learn as Jacob did, and go back to Bethel, return to your first love. Amen? 2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone." 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. So Jacob finally man’s up here. He takes charge of his household. P a g e | 5

He tells them to change their clothes, stop dressing like the harlots of the region, and stop dressing like the culture. Put on morality. He also demands all their foreign fake gods. How did his family get so far from Yahweh, in such a short period of time? Well it does not take long for us to be consumed by this world when that is all we consume ourselves with. You cannot play in both systems. Living like the world will ultimately destroy you. I pray we like Jacob’s family will choose today whom you will follow, the One True Living God, or your little worthless gods from this world. Jacob cleaned house, I pray some of us can be moved to do the same tonight… Look at how Jacob begins to regain focus here. He takes the Phil. 4:8 approach. Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. P a g e | 6

You see a wonderful thing to do when we find our self in despair or grief from our choices, is to recall the promises of God, and the faithfulness of God. As Jacob says here about his God, who answered him in the day of his distress and has been with him in the way which he has gone." Jacob recalls God’s faithfulness even when he was unfaithful to God. And this thought gets his family moving in the right direction, the rid themselves of the idolatry in their own lives. 5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. 7 And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother. But there is still tragedy of Jacob’s choices here, remember he and his family are supposed be the ones that all the nations are blessed by. He is supposed to be a witness to the graciousness of God, the goodness of God. P a g e | 7

And because he failed to rule his home rightly, as Jacob feared the nations are angry with him and his family, so that God will have to be known by His terror to protect Jacob and his calling. These people will not be drawn in by Jacob’s witness, but because of Jacob’s failure we see God has to supernaturally step in to preserve Jacob’s family line. So God has put fear into all those who Jacob was worried about coming to kill him. All the surrounding cities must have heard what Jacob’s sons did to Shechem, and God put fear into them. And this might not be what God had intended, non- the-less, God’s Word will be true, so He supernaturally protects this Patriarch of promise. God will protect His anointed. And Jacob builds an alter in Bethel, and calls it El Bethel, which means God of the House of God. He has returned to his first love. And he will try to finish out his sunset years right. He is growing old, and with age comes wisdom, and as we know wisdom comes from failure a lot of the time. Jacob has failed much in his life, but he is determined to finish well. P a g e | 8

And we see through his mistakes he will try to guide his family right, and set the right example. So maybe you are in your sunset years here tonight, your children are older, you made many mistakes in life. Maybe you were a horrible parent, you failed in marriage, well be encouraged by Jacob, who shows us it is not too late to return to Bethel. As long as you have breath in your lungs, you can still find grace from God. So now as often happens in the Sunset years, we have to say goodbye to loved ones, and we see someone who the family loves here pass away. 8 Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth. Now this nurse must have been someone important to Jacob, maybe she helped raise him. Because she is mentioned here, and her death brings great sorrow. They name the tree at her burial site is Allon Bachuth which means Weeping Terebinth tree. 9 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to P a g e | 9 him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. 11 Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. 12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." 13 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. 14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. Here Jacob is repentant, and God speaks to him again. He reminds Jacob of all the promises that were promised to him. Don’t you find it fascinating that God has to keep reminding Jacob? How many of you think if God would just speak to me through the clouds, I would then just believe? If He spoke, as He did multiple times to Jacob, it would be an unreal event, something that would never be forgotten. P a g e | 10

I imagine you think it would be enough for you to live right the rest of your lives. However, I think if you cannot believe this written Word from God, you too would find doubt in the supernatural. Even take 9-11 for example; the mantra after that happened was we will never forget. Guess what? We are forgetting. Or even after the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust the world said never again. Guess what? It is happening again in the Muslim world. So I say to hear, and read God’s Word daily… it is enough, it will sustain our faith through the ups and downs of life. Read it as though God is speaking to you, He will. A thunderous voice from the clouds will only sustain you for a moment, God’s Word will sustain you throughout your sojourn here on earth. Let Jacob be an example to you, he continually had to be reminded. You don’t need an encounter with God; He has given us His Word. And believe me, sometimes He speaks with a megaphone through it. P a g e | 11

Read it. Death of Rachel 16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day. So Jacob’s beloved Rachel dies giving birth to her second son. She named him Ben-Oni which means son of my sorrow. However, Jacob sees him differently and calls him Benjamin which means Son of my Right Hand. We see something interesting in verse 18 here; we see how the Bible describes death. It shows us here the soul is what keeps this body ticking. P a g e | 12

We know the life is found in the blood, as long as the blood is flowing we are good, but if it is drained out, we will die. I imagine from the pain of this pregnancy she also bled out and as she did her soul departed from her. Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' I find it fascinating that Satanic worship revolves around drinking of the blood. Satan takes what is sacred always and desecrates it. Our soul is tied up somehow in our blood. It is what gives us life. 21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. 22 And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it. Here we get another weird insight to this really messed up family. Reuben gets caught up in a moment of passion with Bilhah his half-brother’s mother, and his father’s concubine. P a g e | 13

We don’t know how this happened; it could be that Bilhah no longer receiving love from Jacob, in her loneliness seduces Reuben. Ruben being a young man and virile he could easily be seduced into her bed. However, this happened Reuben will lose his right as the first born, and he will be greatly chastised for this at the end of Jacob’s life, when he blesses his son’s. We see no evidence of Reuben even being dealt with on this issue until then. But Jacob never forgot it. Jacob's Twelve Sons Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 23 the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; 24 the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin; 25 the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali; 26 and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram. Death of Isaac 27 Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. 28 Now the days of Isaac were one P a g e | 14 hundred and eighty years. 29 So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. So this is the last time we see these two brothers come together. In fact, Esau’s descendants will become an enemy of Israel until they eventually die off. I believe Herod the Great is the last descendent of Esau that we have recorded. The people today no longer exist. But they put their differences aside here to bury their father Isaac who lived a long life. So now we have a whole chapter with the genealogy of Esau, whose descendants would be known as the Edomite’s. This is interesting. It was Jacob who was promised that kings would come from his lineage. It was Jacob who was promised a nation, and offspring that would inherit the Land. But we will see it was Esau who first looked like he received the inheritance. P a g e | 15

Long before Jacob’s descendants would come into the Land, and become this mighty nation. Esau’s family grew into the Edomite’s. They had kings, chief rulers, and borders. I imagine Jacob, who at this point was still a vagabond, a stranger in the land. I imagine he wondered if God remembered, had he messed up too much, that the blessing in fact went back to his brother? Have you ever known a promise from God, you knew God had spoken something so clearly into your life, but as you look around you see others are getting blessed? They are the one’s moving ahead in life, you feel passed up, cheated, forgotten. Well stay faithful even though things do not make sense now. God here is preparing Jacob and his descendants to be a godly nation, it will be hundreds of years that these people will have to hold onto these promises before they are fulfilled. God will put them through slavery, require great faith from them, and show His own mighty hand in these people’s lives. P a g e | 16

But they must wait, as they are sifted through the trials God has before them. In fact, Esau’s descendants will even come into conflict with Israel as they try to possess the land of promise. So the Edomite’s will be a strong nation well before Israel. God had promises for Jacob’s twin. And we see this genealogy is here to show that God is true to His Word. Remember to Rebekah God said…. Gen 25:23 And the Lord said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger." And here is Esau’s Nation… The Family of Esau(1 Chron. 1:35-42) 36:1 Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is . 2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3 and , 's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. 4 Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. 5 And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. P a g e | 17

6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. 7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. 8 So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom. So we see the brother’s go their own way… Gen 36:9-43 And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir. 10 These were the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, and Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. 11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Adah, Esau's wife. 13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. 14 These were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon. And she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. P a g e | 18

The Chiefs of Edom 15 These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, 16 Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah. 17 These were the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. 18 And these were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife: Chief Jeush, Chief Jaalam, and Chief Korah. These were the chiefs who descended from Aholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah. 19 These were the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these were their chiefs. Now something interesting we can draw from the descendants of Esau. In contrast to Jacob’s children’s name, Esau’s fleshly desires come through on the meaning of his children’s name. You see when Esau was still living in Canaan, Esau had a son named Reuel which means Friend of God, and Jeush perhaps meaning God helps, these were first generation children. P a g e | 19

There are 81 personal names here listed but only two contain the names of God. The rest carry no great spiritual meaning. The names carry really Esau’s carnal tastes. Adah meaning “ornament” Elon may mean “where the deer are found.” Eliphaz means “pure gold” Nahath means “rest” Others we find “advantage, mountain goat, jubilation, and other godless names.” What happened? Jacob and Esau were brought up in the same home, same upbringing. Well one child had a fleshly appetite, and things of the flesh mean compromise to the things of the Spirit. This compromise led to the prophet Malachi to pronounce God’s hatred toward Esau. In Malachi 1:3. God always hates the deeds of the flesh, and the fruit of Esau’s life are of the flesh, his appetite led him to exchange his birthright for stew, and to lose his blessing. He is indeed a carnal man. So next in the Esau’s genealogy we have inserted a section for Seir. P a g e | 20

Whose people probably through intermarriage assimilated into Esau’s line eventually, and together became the nation of Edom. So we have the Hurrian patriarch Seir’s descendants… The Sons of Seir 20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite who inhabited the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 , Ezer, and Dishan. These were the chiefs of the , the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom. 22 And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan's sister was Timna. 23 These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 These were the sons of Zibeon: both Ajah and Anah. This was the Anah who found the water in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon. 25 These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. 26 These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These were the chiefs of the Horites: Chief Lotan, Chief Shobal, Chief Zibeon, Chief Anah, 30 Chief P a g e | 21

Dishon, Chief Ezer, and Chief Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir. So the last part of this chapter was most likely an appendage by to complete the line of the generations of Esau. The Kings of Edom 31 Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel: 32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 34 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35 And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. 36 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 37 And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. 38 When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39 And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. P a g e | 22

One interesting note here is the Edomite’s never had a Dynasty of kings, one would die, and another king arose from a different family and different area. They did not have the stability of the promises of the lineage of David, and his descendants ruling on after him. So we have here the appendage of Esau’s line… Some important Chief’s. The Chiefs of Esau 40 And these were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, 41 Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, 42 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, 43 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites. So now we leave Esau’s lineage for good… And come back to the family of promise. So now we made it to the last section of Genesis. This last section will show us in particular the events of one of Jacob’s son’s life. Joseph will be the one God chooses to save and even rule over his family. P a g e | 23

This is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. We will spend a few weeks following him. Joseph Dreams of Greatness 37:1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. So we learn early on that Joseph at a young age was like the tattle tale of the family. He as we will see was the preferred one in the family, favored more than the other boys. As Jacob favored Rachel above his other wives so he favored her children. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. We see here a coat of many colors was given to his prized son. P a g e | 24

It was probably woven together with the most expensive thread, and possibly had gold and silver made into it somehow. Jacob was rich; he could afford the best for his boy. Jacob as we see was a horrible parent, to favor one child over the rest is so damaging to the family unit. As if this family’s dynamics did not have enough issues with the multiple wives, we see even more conflict coming about through the sons. Also to Jacob’s defense he might have spotted something special in his son Joseph. Maybe he could see that God had his hand on him. After all the other sons were murdering, and sleeping with his wife. Maybe Joseph was the only one with integrity and honesty. As we will see later on, everything Joseph touches seems to be blessed. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood P a g e | 25 upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Now Joseph did not have to tell them his dream. He could have tucked it away in his heart. It seems as though he could be rubbing things in. He is given this dream where he would one day rule over his brothers. Now he is the little brother here, this just seems foolish at this point. How could this arrogant young highly favored boy ever rule over us men? They might me think. But Joseph has a calling, and no matter the opposition he will face from these brothers God will put him in this position. They start murmuring and their animosity grows, as the scriptures say they hated Joseph all the more. 9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." P a g e | 26

This imagery is important; we see here this is a description of Israel. It helps understand the Revelation John has in…. Rev 12:1 Now 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. When trying to understand scripture, it is best to use scripture to bring to light any uncertainty. When we go through Revelation on Sunday mornings after we go through the Book of Matthew we will see how important this practice is. So Joseph goes on to maybe brag a little here… 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind. The thought of it all was outrageous. Could a father in this patriarchal type of culture ever bow to his son? Well Jacob questions it, but doesn’t deny it. It says he kept the matter in his mind. P a g e | 27

So again it seems Jacob saw something special in his boy Joseph. He doesn’t deny that it could happen. But his brothers began to get envious of their brother. Hatred and jealousy is a potent combo. They have all throughout history caused many man to do horrible things to their fellow man. This story is no different… Joseph Sold by His Brothers 12 Then his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." So he said to him, "Here I am." 14 Then he said to him, "Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me." So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem. So dad sends his little informant to check on the other brothers…. 15 Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, "What are you seeking?" P a g e | 28

16 So he said, "I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks." 17 And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan. 18 Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. 19 Then they said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is coming! 20 Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!" 21 But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, "Let us not kill him." 22 And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him" — that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father. So Rueben the oldest has a conscious. Maybe he has learned his lesson from his mistake of betraying his father by sleeping with his concubine, and wants to do right. For whatever reason he tries to convince his brothers to spare his life. P a g e | 29

23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. So in their jealous rage they listen to Reuben and humiliate Joseph and throw him into a pit. I imagine as they were traveling around looking for watering holes for their sheep, they are now up by Shechem, the city probably desolate from the mayhem that the boys brought upon the people of Shechem in avenging their sister. They move on past Shechem 10 miles north to Dothan. They come up to a watering hole they perhaps knew of before, when they lived near that city, but to their frustration the pit is empty. In the midst of this frustrated moment, here comes that tattle tale, daddy’s boy, Joseph. And they already in a defeated moment see the confidence of this little rat. They are so enraged with resentment they throw him in the very pit that should be watering their sheep. 25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of P a g e | 30

Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh." And his brothers listened. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. They sell him into slavery; Judah’s reasoning was at least they could make a profit off of his life. If they killed him there would be nothing for them. Rueben must have been away for this stunt because we read… 29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and said, "The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?" Because it was the oldest brother’s responsibility to care for the younger brothers… Rueben has a meltdown, and they all proceed to scheme up something to tell their father…. P a g e | 31

31 So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, "We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?" 33 And he recognized it and said, "It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces." 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him. 36 Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Jacob here could not be comforted the sorrow of this supposed death turns out to be all too much for Jacob. This father, by the deception of his jealous sons is devastated, Jacob believes this mourning will actually put him in the grave. Such a deep grief a parent having to weep for their children, it is not the way things are supposed to be. The child is supposed to see the parent off into eternity, and Jacob here can hardly handle the news, P a g e | 32 he has already had to say goodbye to his beloved Rachel, now his son, from the love of his life. How could these boys be so wicked, where could they have learned this kind of treachery? They care only for themselves, their own well-being, the sorrow of their father leads not one of these guys to tell the truth, to soothe their father’s heart. Oh poor Jacob, he has been so deceived, deceived by the death of a kid of a goat, Oh wait, a kid of a goat, didn’t we just read someone else deceived his father using this very animal. Wait wasn’t it Jacob who brought a kid of a goat before his father? Oh Jacob, you have been deceived by a deception of your own doing. Your children learned this from you! Gal 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Jacob reaped to his flesh all those years ago, and he is still paying for it. P a g e | 33

He is forgiven yes, but the consequences of it all are still a burden to him all these years later. We need to understand this. The sins you commit today will carry consequences that last for many years. You have to resolve in your hearts now to reap to the Spirit, to put away the deeds of the flesh. And listen to the promise in Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Doing good is not always the easiest thing, to do right is not always the stress-free thing. But it is what matters. When someone cheats you, forgive them. Sin will just leave scars, and hurts. Getting even never helps anyone feel better, in fact you usually heap more guilt on yourself. Please learn this lesson from Jacob, who is mourning from his soul for this son who he thinks, is dead. He was tricked by his sons, the same way he tricked his father. You parents don’t be so arrogant to think the sins you commit in front of your children will not be repeated. P a g e | 34

They will, if you smoke they will too, if you are a womanizer your son will be too. If you are a liar, those little eyes watching you will learn to deceive. We will reap what we sow, that is a biblical doctrine. Let’s commit to asking the Lord this evening to help us to sow to the spirit so our lives will produce godly fruit. Amen… So we will continue on this journey through Genesis. The Life of Joseph has amazing lessons for us; we will learn a lot from this young man. I hope to see you next week. Next week you don’t want to miss; we will have our missionaries from Israel here. Len and Cheryl. Cheryl does a great presentation and update of what is happening in the Middle East. It will be a great opportunity for you who give to the ministry here in Victorville to meet one of the Missionaries you support.