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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 289

"The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." Psalm 119:160

Text: Genesis 37:1-36

APPRECIATING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD

Jacob had been most wondrously blessed by the Lord. He knew better than to take things for granted! He had worked very hard to acquire the wealth that he enjoyed. On the road to wealth, Jacob could not help but see the hand of the Lord upon his life!
How hard it is (almost always the case) for the next generation to appreciate the hard work put in by the previous generation! How well did the sons of Jacob appreciate the many blessings the Lord had poured out on the family?


EARLY SIGNS OF TROUBLE IN THE FAMILY

If all the sons of Jacob had come from just one mother, things would still be quite challenging. But if the sons of Jacob had four mothers among them, deep trouble may be expected from them as they reach maturity.

“This is the history of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock
with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah
and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives;
and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.”
GENESIS 37:2

1. The tender age of Seventeen

Joseph was old enough to be sent out by his father to help his siblings, to watch the flock as they fed off the pasture land.

2. The sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah

The sons of Jacob were not allowed to live a lazy care-free life. They were sent out to look after the large flocks and herds that the family possessed.

3. “Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father”

Joseph was not spared from doing hard work, or even menial work. He was sent to be with sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. (Bilhah’s children were Dan and Naphthali. Zilpah’s children were Gad and Asher – Cf. Genesis 30:3-13).

Being as young as he was, Joseph felt that he had to give a full and frank report concerning his brothers. What he saw must have incensed him. His half-brothers must be reported to their father


ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE

Jacob should have known better than to choose Joseph as his favourite son. Isaac had chosen Esau as his favourite son in his time. He must have known how playing favourites would be hurtful, and yet he could not help himself. He just felt drawn to love Joseph especially!

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children,
because he was the son of his old age.” GENESIS 37:3a