In our last article, we looked at archaeological finds that shed light on the kingdom of David.1 Until fairly recently, critical scholars had assumed the historicity of the united monarchy and doubted only the earlier periods (the time of the judges, the settlement of the land, the exodus, the patriarchs, etc.). But as we noted, […]
Read Genesis 37:2–11 Introduction We turn here to the stories that will revolve mainly around Joseph and also Judah. But again, we must be alert to what God is doing to advance His cause and His Kingdom in and through Joseph and Judah. The Bible does not give us interesting biographies of the “good guys” […]
Read Genesis 37:12–36 Introduction In the opening verses of Genesis 37 we are given a glimpse into the attitudes that lived in the household of aging Jacob. He has children from four different women, two wives and two maidservants. But Jacob loves the firstborn of his beloved wife Rachel, and he does not hide that […]
Read Genesis 38:1-11 Introduction It is puzzling perhaps to have this chapter placed in the Bible where it is. Genesis 37 ends with Joseph being sold to Potiphar, and Genesis 39:1 resumes the story account of Joseph. Yet the very fact that Genesis 39:1 is written as it is strongly suggests that the Biblical writer […]
Read Genesis 39 Introduction Genesis 38 was a necessary chapter that fits perfectly in the story of Jacob’s family. Joseph is chosen by God for some special purpose (to rule?), but his brothers sell him to merchants on the way to Egypt (Gen. 37). Then Judah moves away from his own family and settles in […]
Read Genesis 40 Introduction Joseph escaped death from his brothers when in the pit earlier, and he has escaped death with the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife. God’s presence has certainly blessed him, and not just with barely escaping death. He had positively prospered in Potiphar’s house, and he prospers again in prison. But we […]
Read Genesis 41:1–36 Introduction Joseph had received revelation and understanding from God for the dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief butler. Joseph wants out of prison, and he asks the cupbearer to take his appeal to Pharaoh himself. But nothing happens for two full years. God is with Joseph, it is true, but […]
Read Genesis 41:37–57 Introduction The transition for Joseph in one day is breathtaking. One moment he is still in the royal dungeon of Egypt, and then next moment he is being rushed to get cleaned up and properly clothed in order to stand before Pharaoh. God’s timing is not always personally comfortable, but His timing […]
Read Genesis 42:1–28 Introduction The famine strikes Egypt just as the dreams had indicated and just as Joseph had said. God had sent the dreams, gave Joseph the interpretation, and sent the famine, thus confirming Joseph in his role as a kind of prophet in Egypt. God had raised him from the pit of prison […]
Read Genesis 42:29–38 Introduction The first audience of the ten brothers with Joseph did not go smoothly at all. It almost certainly did not occur to them as they had entered Egypt that they would be singled out and accused of being spies, held in custody, with Simeon arrested before they are permitted to return […]