Gen 41:1-52

Timeline:

1916	Birth of Joseph	Gen 30:23
1899	Selling of Joseph (17 yrs old)	Gen 37:2
1886	Joseph (30 yrs old - out of prison) -- 13 years gone	Gen 41:46
1879	Beginning of famine (37 yrs old) -- 20 years gone	Gen 41:54
1878	Brothers’ first visit to Egypt (38 yrs old)	Gen 42:1-2
1877	Brothers’ second visit to Egypt (39 yrs old)	Gen 43:1; 45:6, 11
1876	Jacob's descent to Egypt	Gen 46:6; cf. 47:9
1845	Israel is enslaved
1446	Israel leaves Egypt after 400 years of bondage	Gen 15:13,16;Acts 7:6
1395	Conquest of Caanan complete (essentially)	Acts 13:19,20



Gen 41:1-13 (ESV) After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11  we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.



• Two years have passed, do we know how long Joseph has been a slave or prisoner?
• He is 30 now (see verse 46)
• He has been in prison at least two years and probably much longer
• Interesting that the scriptures identify the time here somewhat precisely, normally two whole years would be called three years because you were in the midst of the third year. Three years is the normal way for the Hebrews to account for time. It might also suggest exactly two years
• Why does God wait so long to answer prayers?
• He knows what is best
• He is trying to accomplish something in our lives
• What does one learn by spending years in a "prison" or particularly bad situation which feels like prison?
• Patience
• Endurance
• Compassion for the down-trodden
• Humility!
• Why would those characteristics be important in his future job?
• Very important for a leader; protects against self-importance
• If you told Joseph that, as a fellow prisoner, how might he have respond?
• Not well (at least most people)
• Does anyone know what the cow symbolized for Egyptians?
• The cow was the symbol of Isis, the god of all-sustaining earth
• Finally, the cupbearer remembers.  But, he is where God needs him to be.
• APPLICATION:  Sometimes, it takes a lot of time to see why God has allowed something to occur in our lives


Gen 41:14-32 (ESV) Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."  17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. 18 Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19 Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, 21 but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. 22 I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. 23 Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, 30 but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. 32 And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.



• What is the first thing that happens to Joseph?
• He gets cleaned up and shaved
• There is a certain amount of respect that is expected of senior leaders (that is never wrong)
• How does Joseph answer Pharaoh?
• Honestly -- "I can't do it"
• Contradicts Pharaoh, which takes courage (and is appreciated by most leadership)
• Gives honor to God --  "but, God …" -- even though there was personal advantage to taking credit
• What character quality is seen in this?
• Humility
• What is unusual about this?
• Joseph's problem may have been arrogance (13 years earlier … see how God has dealt with him)
• Previously, he had misused his gift
• Also can you think of another very similar interaction between a king and a man of God in scriptures
• Daniel -- same words -- maybe Joseph was his example
• Actually, one commentator mentioned / suggested that seven years of famine was not uncommon -- of course, predicting it would be difficult
• APPLICATION: 
• Give credit to God for your abilities
• Don't demand that your gifts have to be used


Gen 41:33-40 (ESV)
33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"  39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40  You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."



• So what does Joseph do when given the opportunity?
• He presents a plan
• Percentages per year during abundance (20% * 7 * 2 = 2.8 yrs)
• Located in cities
• Used during the famine
• Famine doesn't stop grain production only reduces it substantially.  Cuts into seed grain as well
• Joseph had spent a lot of time organizing and planning; he was no longer arrogant but humble; he was ready
• Joseph's testimony has a strong impact on Pharaoh -- "can we find anyone like this man"
• APPLICATION:  God does what he needs to do in His time


Gen 41:41-45 (ESV) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.



• What happens to Joseph?
• Given power (ring)
• Given fancy clothes
• Given special status ("make way!")
• Given a wife (not a Canaanite) -- married him into upper class
• Should Joseph had turned these things down?
• Third time (Father's house, Potiphar's house, & Pharaoh's house) in a powerful man's house (most powerful) -- but could lose it in a minute, again
• APPLICATION:  Perks, riches, & status are amoral -- it is how we respond to them that determines their morality


Gen 41:46-52 (ESV) Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.

50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house."  52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."



• What does Joseph do?
• He has a good job that is high-paying
• He still has to do the work
• The naming of the children gives insight into Joseph's state of mind at the time.  What was God teaching him?
• Forgetting his trouble
• Restored to fruitfulness
• Why doesn't he return to his family?
• One commentator suggested that maybe he thought his father had set him up (although the tears indicate otherwise) -- although from a humanistic point of view, to leave the seat of power always risked someone moving into it
• Another idea, is that he believed God would still fulfill his original dreams (and so he waited)
• Maybe, he also realized, since it was to be a world-wide famine, that his family would be coming to him
• If so, the "game" he plays may be one he had actually thought through with a purpose
• APPLICATION:  It is hard to wait on God at times, but faith means waiting, sometimes many, many years

Gen 39:21-40:23

Timeline:

1916	Birth of Joseph	Gen 30:23
1899	Selling of Joseph (17 yrs old)	Gen 37:2
1886	Joseph (30 yrs old - out of prison) -- 13 years gone	Gen 41:46
1879	Beginning of famine (37 yrs old) -- 20 years gone	Gen 41:54
1878	Brothers’ first visit to Egypt (38 yrs old)	Gen 42:1-2
1877	Brothers’ second visit to Egypt (39 yrs old)	Gen 43:1; 45:6, 11
1876	Jacob's descent to Egypt	Gen 46:6; cf. 47:9
1845	Israel is enslaved
1446	Israel leaves Egypt after 400 years of bondage	Gen 15:13,16;Acts 7:6
1395	Conquest of Caanan complete (essentially)	Acts 13:19,20



Gen 39:21-23 (ESV) But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.



• We talked about this last week.  Previous to the imprisonment, what might have been Joseph's motivation?
• Freedom from slavery
• Now? Freedom from imprisonment to slavery
• Joseph had a choice in his attitude and actions.  What were his choices?
• Bitter, angry at God, people, everything, LIFE
• Not to be bitter, do his best. How do we know he was not bitter? Response of the warden
• What was God doing?
• Showing kindness (although apparently only in little things--not the real problem from the prisoner's perspective)
• Granting him favor in the eyes of others (this is why I don't believe he was bitter, rarely do bitter people find favor in the eyes of others)
• Teaching him different management and leadership skills in another context (learning how to deal with political personas for example)
• APPLICATION: We have a choice in how we respond to life's circumstances


Gen 40:1-8 (ESV) Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3  and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?" 8 They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."



• How long has Joseph been in prison?
• The scripture doesn't say.  Long enough to be noticed by the warden and to rise to a position of responsibility in the prison
• Verse 1 says "Some time after this" meaning the incident with Potiphar's wife
• Verse 4 says "they continued for some time in custody"
• [note: we also know by reading ahead that he will be in prison two more years after the dreams]
• What does the captain of the guard assigning the two officials to Joseph suggest?
• He had regained favor with the captain (the wife has shown her true colors by now) or he never really lost (the wife's behavior was already suspected by the captain) or the captain has overlooked the issue due to Joseph's hard work
• The warden and the captain communicated (otherwise, how would the captain know to assign the two prisoners to Joseph)
• Why do you think these two people were in prison; what might be the charges?
• Someone had tried to poison Pharaoh, but Pharaoh was not sure who. Both are involved in some aspect of food handling
• And then again, maybe Pharaoh just got sick on some of the foood
• What is unusual about the dreams?
• The dreams occur on the same night
• What does the incident reveal about Joseph?
1. He was observant (key characteristic of a servant) - he notices something about them
2. He was sympathetic to other's problems (he could have been mired in his own problem -- also argues against Joseph being bitter)
3. He has strong faith in God (still)
• He could also be bitter about dreams (and dream interpretation) at this point, after all, his own two dreams probably mocked him at this stage in his life
• APPLICATION:  Do circumstances determine our faith, or does our faith determine our circumstances?


Gen 40:9-15 (ESV) So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, "In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand." 12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit."



• Joseph interprets the chief cupbearer's dream.  What does he request?
• To use his influence with the Pharaoh to get him out of jail
• How does Joseph describe his situation?
• An innocent man (how many persons in jail call themselves innocent?? A lot.)
• APPLICATION:
• The interesting thing is this is the way most of us would have tried to deal with the situation -- use influence to get to a higher person who had the authority to grant his wish
• Joseph's attempt is a very natural human action -- nothing wrong with being prudent -- but it doesn't work


Gen 40:16-23 (ESV) When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head." 18 And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19  In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you."

20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21  He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.



• What do scriptures say is the reason the chief baker asks for an interpretation?
• Because he saw the first one was favorable
• Why didn't the chief baker share his first?
• Scripture doesn't say, but maybe he had a guilty conscience
• Why doesn't the chief cupbearer follow through?
• Scripture only says that he "did not remember him" and that "he forgot him"
• He probably didn't want to bother the Pharaoh with a seemingly minor issue; or maybe he didn't believe Joseph's story; or maybe he was just selfish; or maybe he just got his job back and doesn't want to risk it for another "political" prisoner
• From the time of the dreams, to the fulfillment, how long did this take?
• Three days
• How might Joseph have viewed these events?
• "Ah, here is a chance for God to get me out of jail.  I.e., I can see a plausible path.  If God does this and that … then I will get what I desire."
• Scripture doesn't say what Joseph was thinking, but we all think like this.  Then, when God doesn't answer, we lash out at God or wonder if He really is in control since here was a perfect opportunity to answer our prayer.  Real faith is not evaluating the circumstances for a place for God to answer, but evaluating the nature and promises of God to believe that God will answer (but in the time of His choosing)
• I'm sure Joseph was very disappointed a week or two or more after the events.  But he kept his faith and still did not shrink into bitterness
• Disappointment is okay, even good
• Bitterness is dangerous both for yourself and for others
• APPLICATION:  How do we base our faith--on the person and character of God, or on how God responds to our circumstances?

Gen 39:1-21

Timeline:

1916	Birth of Joseph	Gen 30:23
1910	End of Jacob's stay with Laban	Gen 31:41
1899	Selling of Joseph (17 yrs old)	Gen 37:2
1886	Joseph (30 yrs old - out of prison) -- 13 years gone	Gen 41:46
1879	Beginning of famine (37 yrs old) -- 20 years gone	Gen 41:54
1878	Brothers’ first visit to Egypt (38 yrs old)	Gen 42:1-2
1877	Brothers’ second visit to Egypt (39 yrs old)	Gen 43:1; 45:6, 11
1876	Jacob's descent to Egypt	Gen 46:6; cf. 47:9
1845	Israel is enslaved
1446	Israel leaves Egypt after 400 years of bondage	Gen 15:13,16;Acts 7:6
1395	Conquest of Caanan complete (essentially)	Acts 13:19,20



Gen 39:1-5 (ESV) Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2  The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.



• Who is Potiphar?
• Captain of the Guard
• Also, in charge of the prison (39:20; 40:2-4) for political crimes
• What is the main theme?
• The Lord is with him
• What do we observe?
• V2 God is prospering his work
• V2, 3 The Lord is with him
• V3 God is giving him success in everything
• V4 Joseph is finding favor in the eyes of his bosses
• V4 Joseph is being entrusted with greater responsibility
• Evaluate the following statements, and from the text determine if "probable, speculative, or  confirmed."
• (probable) Joseph is doing his best (hard to imagine success, and doesn't say)
• (probably not) Joseph was wallowing in self-pity (hard to imagine success, and doesn't say)
• (speculative)  Joseph is walking with God (doesn't say)
• It is a NT principle: 
Col 3:22-24 (ESV) Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

• APPLICATION:  We really don't know what God is doing in our lives or what the future (no matter how old we are) holds, but we can do our best to do what is right, keep a positive attitude, and make the best of what we are given.


Gen 39:6-10 (ESV) So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.



• How old is Joseph?
• The text does not say, except for, older than 17 and younger than 28 -- probably mid-twenties
• The temptation is for sex outside of marriage, or fornication.  Who is being tempted?
• Technically, Potiphar's wife is, and has given in to the temptation
• The scripture does not say, but it would not be surprisingly for a young man to be struggling with the thought as well
• What does Joseph do?
• He refuses her advances
• He calls a spade a spade.  It is a wicked thing and it is a sin against God
• 1 Cor 6:18-20 (ESV) Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
• He tries to keep distance from her (very end of 39:10 "… or to be with her")
• APPLICATION: 
• Sometimes the first struggle with sin is a refusal to call it by it's name: evil,
• and in the case of sexual immorality, a sin against God. 
• For those who are married, it is also a sin against the wife of your youth. 
• SPECIFIC APPLICATION: We need to repent and we need to call sin, sin.


Gen 39:11-21 (ESV) But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12  she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, "See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house." 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, "The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house."

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, "This is the way your servant treated me," his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.



• This is always a dangerous situation.  While Joseph would have known of Potiphar's absence, it is not clear he would have expected the servants to be out.  He was in charge, but we don't know if the wife sent them out on an errand.
• How does Joseph respond to the temptation?
• He flees
• It is a seldom a bad choice to flee from a dangerous temptation.  Many sins start because we allow ourselves to be in a bad situation.  Watching the wrong shows, movies, going to the wrong places, etc.
• Why would the wife lie?
• Emotional response to the rejection
• Guilt and trying to cover her own sin
• The wife uses a phrase, twice, in her version of the events, to stir up the emotions, what is it?
• She calls Joseph, a Hebrew
• Hebrew would refer to a descendant of Eber (Great-great-great-great grandfather of Terah) and would include a number of different people groups.  The term emphasizes the differences between her, an Egyptian and a foreigner
• APPLICATION: She uses race to instill hatred.  Satan is still doing that today
• NOTE: Joseph has a hard time hanging on to clothes, first his robe of many colors and now his cloak
• How does Potiphar respond?
• He burns with anger
• Why?
• Scripture doesn't say exactly (2 options)
• He believes his wife and is angry that Joseph would do such a thing
• He doesn't really believe his wife; is angry that she is probably lying; has no choice but to take action against Joseph
• The fact that his anger is kindled as soon as she starts to blame Joseph suggests that he might have been mad at her
• Potiphar knows his wife
• Many commentators have argued that Potiphar could have been more severe with Joseph
• Also, Potiphar's prison was for mostly political prisoners
• Finally,  Gen 40:4 seems to suggest that Potiphar still had great trust in Joseph (of course by 40:4, he could have finally realized the treachery of his wife by later events not recorded)
• Does he believe his wife? It doesn't say
• From Joseph's perspective, how does life look?
• Terrible
• He did nothing wrong -- was almost killed -- then sold into slavery
• He did everything right -- was thrown into prison
• Less we think Joseph was the stoic believer who did not struggle, we should look at what he names his two sons (41:51-52)
• From God's perspective, how does life look?
• God knows what he is doing
• What does verse 20,21 tell us?
• God is still with him
• God is still blessing him
• APPLICATION:  Joseph could focus on his current state (he had no idea where things were headed) and he could have been very bitter.  He could also focus on the little things (from his perspective) that showed him that God was with him and had not abandoned him.  Ultimately, it is those little things which will result in his release (although 2 years after the events).  Joseph needed to have faith that God was in charge and that God was going to bring about good despite the evil that had befallen him
• Rom 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Gen 38:1-30

• While Tamar would seem to be the heroine, her actions were not commendable
• Her veil would have identified her as engaged, even as a prostitute
• In the culture, adultery was considered wrong, but prostitution was accepted
• Chapter shows how God uses talionic justice (i.e., reaping the same kind of punishment as the sin that they sow) in his discipline


Genesis 38:1–11 (ESV) —
1 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, 3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.
6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.


• In this case, the passage does give us some clue to the time period. It does not mean right afterwards, it just says "at that time"
• Judah marries a Canaanite woman (never names her) and has three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah
• Part of the reason for the story is that it emphasizes the impact of the Canaanites on the people of Israel
• God needed to get them out of the land
• Er is wicked
• Onan is wicked
• Judah's actions are also sinful
• Common custom in the Near East and many other areas. The Mosaic Law did not abolish it but restrict it in Israel. NOTE: The law appears almost 500 years from this event
• Deuteronomy 25:5–10 (ESV) — 5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’
• This is similar to the idea of the kinsman redeemer, but apparently the legal implications grew quite a bit over the years and the practices changed by the time of Ruth
• Interesting point at that time, is that among Assyrian and Hittite people, the levirate responsibility could pass to the father of the widow's husband if there were no brothers to fulfill it
• What about Onan's actions?
• One thing that apparently isn't clear is how much Onan's actions were selfish
• Also, Onan's actions were frustrating the purpose of God for the line of Messiah
• One commentator thought that Onan used the law for sexual gratification (Bible Knowledge Commentary, Ross)
• Additionally, what do we see in Judah's actions? They are also deceitful and somewhat uncaring


Genesis 38:12–19 (ESV) — 12 In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17 He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.


• A few observations:
• Judah's (unnamed) wife is dead
• Shelah was grown up but not given to Tamar
• Once again a goat is part of the deal, in this case the payment
• Also, deceit is again used to get a certain outcome
• Clearly, Judah does what is wrong
• Technically, Tamar did nothing wrong. She was the righteous person, although her method is certainly questionable
• Why does Tamar think this is a good idea, ie the  disguise of a prostitute to get Judah?
• Was Judah's life consistent with the use of prostitutes?
• Judah is contrasted with Joseph - Joseph avoids sexual sin, the other embraces it


Genesis 38:20–23 (ESV) —
20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’ ” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”


• How do we know that Judah knew what he did was unacceptable?
• To continue to search for her would raise questions, ultimately shaming Judah for seeking a prostitute


Genesis 38:24–30 (ESV) —
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.


• How does Judah react initially to learning of Tamar's pregnancy?
• He wants to burn her
• Judah wrongly blames Tamar for the death of his sons
• His sons died for their sin, not Tamar's
• Tamar was the innocent party
• How does Judah react to the identification of her lover?
• He sees her as more righteous than him
• He admits to being the person -- he does not justify it
• He also admits to withholding his younger son
• Judah is contrasted with his brothers - Judah repents of his sin, his brothers say nothing
• Technically, the liaison, by the law of the time was an acceptable alternative for the levirate union. Neither actually sinned by the letter of the law / moral of the time. Although, Judah was certainly guilty by the spirit of the law
• Only two women in the bible have twins, Rebekah and Tamar


• APPLICATION:
• A lot is happening during these twenty years. As we will see later, Joseph's cockiness is being erased
• Judah's anger and self-righteousness is changing
• Jacob is sulking
• God is building a nation in spite of the people. In fact, his nation is endangered by the very land they were living in
• In some ways, the Egyptians will work out better, since they detest shepherds
• They detest Ebers, Gen 43:32
• Later they will be slaves too