Genesis 37:1-36

What Genesis 37 will show us is that, when we find ourselves facing the pit, there are three choices we must make.

Outline

  • First, when we face the pit, we must choose between focusing on our past or on God’s promise (37:1-11)
    • When we are in the pit, we are tempted to focus on the loss of our past potential (37:1-3)
    • When we are in the pit, we are tempted to focus on the intensity of our past pain (37:3-5)
    • When we are in the pit, we should instead focus on our future promise (37:6-11)
  • Second, when we face the pit, we must choose between focusing on our problems or our preparation (37:12-24)
    • Even though Joseph is sent toward the pit on a mission by his earthly father, he is being prepared for a greater mission by his heavenly father (37:12-17)
    • Even though Joseph is preparing to die as he is thrown in the pit by his brothers, God is actually preparing him to live (37:18-24)
  • Third, when we face the pit, we must choose between focusing on our plans or God’s on providence (37:25-36)
    • Even though Joseph’s hope is gone, we see God’s providence at work (37:25-28)
    • Even though Jacob’s heart is broken, we see God’s providence at work (37:29-36)

Christ Connections

  • In this story of Joseph, we see a preview of Jesus.  Joseph is a lowly shepherd who is despised and rejected. He once was in the position of the favored son at the right hand of his father, yet, his enemies brought violence against him, cast him down into the pit, and sold him into slavery. He is left for dead, but in God’s great providence, he brings him out of the pit as if he is back from the dead. God delivers him from slavery and raises him up to a place of rule and authority so that he can bring deliverance for his people. Through God’s providence, he is going to preserve the line of the messiah that would one day lead to Jesus.
  • Joseph hopes in the future fulfillment of his dream, our hope is based not on a dream but a deliverer. That Jesus, not Joseph, has defeated death and conquered the grave so that he has authority not just over an ancient family but the entire world.

Applications

  • In the pit, we are tempted to focus on the past like Joseph. Instead this passage shows us to look forward to the promises of God. Joseph relies on the dreams of his past that showed God’s favor towards him as his future hope.
  •  So, no matter what pit you find yourself in— the pit of discouragement, despair, depression, division, doubt—you can look to Jesus and the future promise of hope that you have in him.