Genesis 37:23

JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT. -- Genesis 37:23-36.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy. -- Genesis 39:21. TIME. --About B. C. 1825. PLACE. --Dothan in Palestine. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Genesis 37:1-22; Genesis 49:22-26; Genesis 42:21-24. LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. A Fratricide Plotted; 2. Sold Into Egypt; 3. A Broken-hearted Father.

INTRODUCTION.

The carrying of Joseph Into Egypt marks an era in the development of the Jewish nation. The bond servant, under the providence of God, was elevated to. place next to the throne, becomes the preserver not only of the Egyptians, but of his own brethren; his father's family follow him to Egypt to remain there until the family have become. nation. It is under the influence of Egyptian institutions, in the most enlightened country then in the world, that the nomadic descendants of Abraham were prepared to become. settled nation and. race of agriculturists in Palestine.

The hatred shown to Joseph by his brethren is easily accounted for in view of the conditions that surrounded them. In. state of polygamy there would be. natural jealousy between the children of different mothers. This would be augmented by an inconsiderate partiality on the part of the father for one of the sons. But, among the children of. patriarch,. burning question would be who should succeed the father as the ruler of the tribe. Naturally the oldest son was the successor. Reuben, son of Leah, would have the birthright, but various matters had led the brethren to believe that he was to be supplanted in favor of Joseph, the oldest son of Rachel. The dreams of Joseph plainly pointed him out as the ruler of his brethren, while his father's partiality seemed to indicate the same purpose. The best authorities hold that "the coat of many colors," which is evidently an incorrect translation, was. garment which was only worn by those who ruled, and that it served to advertise to his brethren continually that Joseph was to succeed his father as the ruler of the tribe. We may, therefore, look upon the act of his brethren as. revolt against the determination of the father to make Joseph the ruler, and in favor of the birthright of Reuben. They looked upon the former as. usurper, at least in intention, and were determined to defeat his purpose by some means. Hence they plotted his death, and then so far modified their purpose, as to sell him into slavery. It ought to be noticed, in Reuben's favor, that he was kindliest in feeling to Joseph of any of the brethren, though he was the one whose rights were directly assailed.

I.. FRATRICIDE PLOTTED.

23. When Joseph was come to his brethren.

He had been sent from Hebron, where Jacob made his home for many years, and where Abraham and Isaac had been buried, to Shechem,. distance of fifty miles, where the other sons were pasturing the numerous flocks. When he arrived there he found they had exhausted the pastures and driven the flocks to Dothan, about seventeen miles further north. We can easily understand why Dothan was chosen, in view of the fact that " here is found at the present day," according to Smith's Bible Dictionary, "the best pasturage in all that region." Dothan is. hill, and from its top Joseph was seen and recognized long before he reached his brethren, who, when they saw him, entered into. plot to get him out of the way. At the persuasion of Reuben they had consented to cast him into an empty well or cistern. The word Dothan means "two cisterns."

They stript Joseph of his coat.

The garment which was so offensive to the brethren had been worn and was instantly stripped off. Most Hebraists hold that it was. "full length garment," reaching to the feet and hands, instead of to the knees, as was common. Whatever it may have been it was regarded as. mark of superior station and was well calculated to stir up jealousy. As far as the record here is concerned it might be supposed that Joseph suffered in silence, but Genesis 42:21 shows that he raised his protests and appealed to their compassion in vain.