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God is Setting All Things Right. So I am Blogging Through the Bible in a Year.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 24 - Genesis 35-37: Jacob and Sons Joseph

Today’s Reading: Genesis 35-37

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The list of genealogies is to signal the change from one story (or generation) to the next. In this case the story shifts from Jacob and Esau to Joseph and his brothers. It's like the commercial break, but with less consumerism.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God wanted Jacob to return to where he was originally called. So Jacob had his family throw all other gods out. When they arrived God officially changed "Jacob" (Deceiver) to "Israel" (God-Wrestler).
Rachel gave birth to Benjamin but died doing so. Jacob had 12 sons in total.
Esau's family grew large and prospered.
Israel loved Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, more than the others. This made Joseph's brothers angry. They schemed to kill him. Instead, they sold him as a slave. The brothers took his coat and convinced Israel that Joseph had died.
Joseph became a slave to an Egyptian.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob was not always fully on board with God. However, when God called his family, they were willing to leave all other gods behind.

The people God used were not always fully committed to Him when chosen. However, when God called Jacob to return to Bethel Jacob made sure that everyone cleaned and threw out all other gods. When called, God's people answer.

Joseph's brothers' hatred came from Jacob's favoritism of Rachel, Joseph's mother. Joseph's dreams escalated the hatred.

Understanding that Genesis is not a book of parables but explanation of the early people of God, this story gives another example of Jacob's multiple marriages causing problems with his family—even to the next generation. Jacob loves Joseph because he was the son of his favorite wife, Rachel. The other brothers could not compete with this position. So instead they schemed to get rid of him. Favoritism's consequences do not end with one generation.

God is preparing Joseph for great things ahead.

This shows the second half of the (negative) theme of Genesis, God will use bad situations to bring a greater good for all.

Reuben had a good heart.

I only wish he had a better sense of timing.

And Finally, if you can't remember the names of Jacob's sons, thank Andrew Lloyd Weber:



Good luck getting that out of your head!

See you tomorrow.

What did you see reading this passage? Questions? Comments? Leave a comment in the section below or on the Sonoma Mountain Parkway Church of Christ Facebook page.

If you missed a reading or want to go to a specific date, type the link as follows: http://grahambates.blogspot.com/2013/mm/dd.html That will take you to the reading for that day. Enjoy!

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