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Piecing together blended families
To complicate the problem there is always the possibility - and probability - of partiality. This factor played a large role in the family life of this son of Isaac and Rebekah. After Jacob met his twin, Esau, and there was a reconciliation (Genesis 33:16- 18), this twin who bought the birthright (Genesis 25:31-34) remained in the land of Canaan. He was given divine instructions to return to Bethel. Genesis 35:1a. When he reached this place he was to "make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee, when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother." Genesis 35:1b. This act was to be accompanied by the ridding of the family of all of the strange gods that had been accumulated over time. Genesis 35:2. When this man and his family reached this place, "God appeared unto Jacob again ... and blessed him" Genesis 35:9. The family blessing was, again, assured. Genesis 35:10-15. After the group left Bethel, Rachel gave birth to their son, Benjamin. She died as the result of this childbirth. Genesis 35:18,19. After burying Rachel, he remained in the land. He was able to visit with his father, Isaac, before the death of this "son of promise" (Genesis 21:1-5). The record declares that "Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan." Genesis 37:1. At this point in record, we are given some information regarding 17-year-old Joseph. As this son of Rachel (Genesis 30:22-24) was "feeding the flock with his brethren." We are told that "the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report." Genesis 37:2. There seems to be no question regarding the accuracy of this report. The fragmentation of this family is seen in the fact that "Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age ..." Genesis 37:3a. This fact was made known to the other children by the fact that "he made him a coat of many colours." Genesis 37:3b. This garment was in contrast to the plain clothing worn by his brothers. The response of the brothers was natural. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more that all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." Genesis 37:4. There is no evidence that Joseph reported his dream to his brothers with any kind of superior attitude. He seemed to be, simply, reporting. "And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told his brethren; and they hated him yet the more." Genesis 37:5. The son of Rachel gave the contents of the dream. The setting was in the field of grain - "my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf." Genesis 37:7. The brothers immediately saw the picture that was painted. "And his brethen said unto him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words." Genesis 37:8. This yong man had another dream. "And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and behold, the sun and the moon and the 11 stars made obeisance to me." Genesis 37:9. He told his father this dream, "...and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, what is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" Genesis 37:10. The record again, describes the response of the brothers. "And his brethren envied him..." Genesis 37:11a. His father must have been somewhat cautious in his assessment - "but his father observed the saying." Genesis 37:11b. Since the livelihood of the family revolved around keeping of flocks, the size of their herds and the scarcity of feeding areas made it necessary for the men to find grazing at great distances from the camp. Genesis 37:12. "And Israel said unto Joseph, do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechern? Come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, here am I." Genesis 37:13. Little did father nor son know that this would be their last conversation for years to come. The flocks had been moved to another area. Genesis 37:15-17. As Joseph made his way to the flocks of his father, his brothers could see him from a distance. His coat was the identifying feature. "And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams." Genesis 37:18-20. The oldest of all the sons - Reuben (Genesis 39:32) was able to persuade the other brothers to change their minds. They finally decided to "cast him into this pit" - and Reuben had his own plans to rescue his younger brother. Genesis 37:22. The coat of Joseph was stained with the blood of the goats. Genesis 37:31. This act of treachery was done after they had sold this dreamer to the passing Ishmeelites. Genesis 37:25- 28. The bloody coat was taken to Jacob, with the explanation that this we have found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no." Genesis 37:32. The father came to the conclusion that his sons had intended. "And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces." Genesis 37:33. Thus began the days of mourning for his favorite son. Genesis 37:34-36. The record tells us that the merchants "brought Joseph into Egypt." Genesis 37:28c. This young man was "sold into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah's, and the captain of the guard." Genesis 37:36. Since we know the "rest of the story," we understand that these events became the background for the preservation of the chosen nation through whom the Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, would come into the world.
Do you know Jesus as your personal savior? If not, please accept him into your life, today. Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 16:31; John 3:16.
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