Genesis 37 Chapter Commentary: Jacob’s Son Joseph

Joseph was the youngest son of Israel (Jacob), who loved him the most and gave him a beautiful coat. This caused jealousy among Joseph’s older brothers, who treated him badly.

Joseph’s dreams that his family would bow to him made his brothers even more envious. One day, Israel sent Joseph to check on his brothers, who decided to get rid of him. They threw him into a pit and sold him to some travelers instead of killing him.

They lied to their father that Joseph was dead, causing him great grief. The travelers took Joseph to Egypt, where he was sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.

What’s the Main Point?

The main point of Genesis 37 is to introduce the story of Joseph and his eventual rise to power in Egypt. The chapter sets the stage for the rest of the Joseph narrative, which spans several chapters in Genesis.

What Can We Learn from This Chapter?

Genesis 37’s story contains a number of moral teachings. The dangers of envy and how it can result in harmful actions are two moral lessons. Since they were envious of Joseph, his brothers betrayed him and did him damage.

The value of believing in God’s sovereignty even in the face of challenging circumstances is another moral lesson. Even though Joseph was a slave, God still had a plan for his life and made the best of his circumstances.

The significance of forgiveness is also emphasized by the story because Joseph eventually forgave his brothers for their misdeeds. The life of Joseph also serves as a reminder of how God may use our struggles to mold us into the people He wants us to be.

Prayer:

Lord God, we thank you for the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and the reminder that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, you are always with us and working for our good. Help us to trust in your sovereignty, knowing that you have a plan for our lives.

Help us to guard against the dangers of jealousy and bitterness, and to choose forgiveness and love instead. May we also be inspired by Joseph’s example of faithfulness, obedience, and perseverance. Guide us and bless us as we seek to follow your will, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Featured image attribution:

Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat, illustration by Owen Jones from “The History of Joseph and His Brethren” (Day & Son, 1869). This image is in the public domain. Cropped from original.