Day 26

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

9. Joseph reunited with kin ~ cont.

e. Birth of Hezron (40th Gen) - Ruth 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:5

f. Jacob to Egypt, after God's assurance at Beer-Sheba - Genesis 46:1-7; 28

g. Summary of those that took the trip - 70 souls - Genesis 46:8-27; Exodus 1:15

h. Joseph's kin established in Egypt - Genesis 46:29-34; 47:1-12

10. Wise leadership continues - Genesis 47:13-17; 47:18-21; 47:22-26

11. Zerah's descendants (brother of Pharez) - 1 Chronicles 2:6-8
12. His blessing to Manasseh (replaces Levi) and Ephraim (replaces Joseph) - Genesis 48:1-22

The whole verse in context: That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle fromour youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

The portion that aroused my curiosity: ...for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (Genesis 46:34)

I always wondered why?

Well...Gill had an interesting perspective, which included more of the verse that what I originally sought to satisfy myself regarding:

that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; Joseph instructed his brethren to be very particular in the account of their occupation to Pharaoh, that it might be a direction to him how to dispose of them, and where to settle them, namely, in the land of Goshen; which was a country that abounded with good pasture, and so the fittest place for them to be fixed in: and besides this, Joseph had some other reasons for placing them there, as that they might be near to him, who might dwell at On or Heliopolis, to which place, or province, Goshen belonged; and that being also the nearest part of the land to Canaan, they might the more easily and sooner get away when there was an occasion for it; as well as he was desirous they should not be brought into the heart of the land, lest they should be corrupted with the superstition, and idolatry, and vices of the people; and being afar off, both from the court, and the body of the people, might be less subject to their contempt and insults, since it follows:

for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians; not because shepherds ate of the milk and flesh of the creatures they fed, which the Egyptians abstained from; for the Egyptians in those times did eat the flesh of slain beasts, see Gen_43:16; nor because they fed, and slew, and ate those creatures, which the Egyptians worshipped as gods, as Jarchi; for it does not appear that the Egyptians were so early worshippers of such creatures; nor is this phrase, "every shepherd", to be understood of any other than foreign shepherds; for one of the three sorts of the people of Egypt, as distinct from, and under the king, priests, and soldiers, according to Diodorus Siculus (d), were shepherds, and were not despised on that account; for, as the same writer says, all the Egyptians were reckoned equally noble and honourable (e); and such it is plain there were in Egypt, in the times of Joseph, see Gen_47:6; and goat herds were had in esteem and honour by those about Mendes, though swine herds were not (f): wherefore this must be understood of foreign shepherds, the Egyptians having been greatly distressed by such, who either came out of Ethiopia, and lived by plunder and robbery (g), or out of Phoenicia or Arabia; for, according to Manetho (h), it was said that they were Arabians or Phoenicians who entered into Egypt, burnt their cities, &c. and set up kings of their own, called their Hycsi, or pastor kings: and therefore Joseph might the rather fear his brethren and father's family would be the more contemptible in that they came from Canaan, which was near to Arabia and Phoenicia; but Dr. Lightfoot (i) is of opinion, that the Egyptians, being plagued for Abraham's and Sarah's sake, made a law, that for the future none should converse with Hebrews, nor with foreign shepherds, so familiarly as to eat or drink with them.

That is an interesting thought, that the Egyptians would have remembered that they suffered because of Abraham and Sarah.  Abraham died around 1792 B.C. and Jacob/Israel arrived in Egypt around 1677 B.C.  That makes for a time lapse of at least 115 years.  Scripture does not indicate the longevity of others, but assuming that all peoples (regardless of nationality) could live 100+ years, the story of Abram and Sarai (at that time) could have still been 'fresh' in the minds of the Egyptians.  Interesting thought.

Day 25

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

9. Joseph reunited with kin ~ cont.

b. Provides family with food ~ cont. 43:1-34; 44:1-34

c. Reveals himself to brethren - Genesis 45:1-15

d. Jacob hears news and prepares to travel - Genesis 45:16-28

Judah - the tribe of our Lord and Savior - the substitutionary.

Gen 44:31  It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

Gen 44:32  For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

Gen 44:33  Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

Gen 44:34  For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

These verses always cause me to pause and wonder what I have my fist clenched around, refusing to trust Father in and through every circumstance.  Jacob had a 'tight' hold on Benjamin, but was forced, by God, to let go and trust.  What an appropriate lesson for all of us...take a moment and consider what or who you may be holding on to, refusing to release to God.

Day 24

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

7. Joseph's exhalted position

a. Interprets Pharaoh's dream - Genesis 41:1-37

b. Made governor - Genesis 41:38-44

c. Marries Asenath - Genesis 41:45

d. Seven years of plenty - Genesis 41:46-49

e. Sons born - Genesis 41:50

(1) Manasseh - Genesis 41:51

(2) Ephraim - Genesis 41:52-53
8. Sons of Levi, including Kohath (1683 B.C. grandfather of Moses Gen 46:11) - Exodus 6:16; Numbers 3:17; 1 Chronicles 6:16
9. Joseph reunited with kin
a. Seven years of famine - Genesis 41:54-57
b. Provides family with food - Genesis 42:1-38

I made a notation next to the outline heading:  Marries Asenath

~ "Egypt with all its perversity still honored one man and one woman in marriage."

~ Noted that Israel had already endured 2 years of famine before seeking assistance from Egypt.

~ Reuben offers to be surety for Benjamin, but had already proved himself to be unstable by defiling his father's bed and engaging with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22).  Israel (Jacob)'s response?

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.  (Genesis 42:38)

Wondering if there was some emphasis on with you when he spoke?  Browsed Gill:

Gen 42:38 And he said, my son shall not go down with you,.... He gives a peremptory denial; this was his then present resolution and determination:

for his brother is dead; meaning Joseph, Benjamin's own brother by father and mother's side; him he supposed to be dead, such circumstances being related and produced, which made it highly probable, and he had not heard anything of him for twenty two years:

and he is left alone; Benjamin being the only surviving child of his dearly beloved Rachel, as he thought:

if mischief befall him by the way in which ye go; that is, to Egypt, whether by thieves and robbers, or by the fatigue of the journey, or by any means whatever, so that he loses his life. All the Targums interpret this mischief of death:

then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave; the sense is, should this be the case he should never lift up his head, or have any more comfort in this world, but should pass his time with continual sorrow until his gray head was laid in the grave, or till he came to the state of the dead.

Day 23

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

c. Sold into Egypt by his brethren - Genesis 37:36; 39:1

2. Prosperity in Egypt - Genesis 39:2-6

3. Judah and Tamar

a. Tamar's husbands - Genesis 38:6-30; 1 Chronicles 2:4

4. Joseph flees adultery - Genesis 39:7-19

5. Joseph jailed

a. His prosperity - Genesis 39:20-23

b. Joseph interprets dreams of baker and butler - Genesis 40:23

6. Death of Isaac (180 years) - Genesis 35:28-29

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  (Genesis 39:2)

And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  (Genesis 39:3)

But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  (Genesis 39:21)

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.  (Genesis 39:23)

Joseph was known to be a good steward and favored of God.  Gill's commentary on the portions underlined above:

Gen 39:2 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies:

Gen 39:3 and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand; and though Potiphar might have no knowledge of the true Jehovah, whose name he uses, yet he might have a notion of a supreme Being, and that all outward prosperity was owing to him; and knowing Joseph to be an Hebrew, as it is plain his wife did, Gen_39:14; and Jehovah to be the God of the Hebrews, he imputes all the prosperity that attended Joseph and his services unto his God.

Gen 39:21 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Comforting him with his presence under his afflictions; supporting him with his right hand; sanctifying all his troubles to him, and so causing him to bear them patiently and cheerfully:

Gen 39:23 and that which he did the Lord made it to prosper; every method he took to secure the prisoners, every scheme he formed to bring them to confession of their crimes, or to clear those that were innocent; and every other thing relative to prison affairs, all through the good hand of God upon him, guiding, directing, and blessing him, succeeded well, which gained him the favour and good will of the keeper and the prisoners.

I am feeling a tad bit convicted ~ Joseph who had done no evil, sold, made a servant first to Potiphar (who could have had him executed for the 'assault'), then as a servant to the jailer. In such circumstances one might be tempted to bewail the situation, wondering if there is anything lower to which one might descend.

It does not appear that Joseph was upset or annoyed by the situation, though (after interpreting the butler's dream) he does respond thus:

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:15)

Requesting that the butler, once restored, petition Pharaoh for him. Two years pass - Joseph obviously spent his time prudently and diligently. In due time Father will exalt us if we are about HIS business. This does not necessarily mean wealth and exalted positions of authority on this side of glory.

Taken to the depths, plunged into situations and circumstances that tried, tested and settled Joseph's resolve, Father brings him to the juncture:

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:44)

Take comfort beloved of the Lord, for Father has said:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Day 22

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

6. His return to Canaan ~ cont.

d. Dinah's defilement - Genesis 34:1-31
e. Return to Bethel - Genesis 35:1-15
f. Death of Rachel upon Benjamin's birth - Genesis 35:16-19; 48:7; 35:20-22
g. Return to Hebron - Genesis 35:27; 37:1
E. Joseph
1. His early days
a. Joseph and his dreams - Genesis 37:2-11
b. Joseph to Shechem and Dothan - Genesis 37:12-35

Dinah's defilement - this portion of scripture always touches my heart.  Leah's only daughter, besmirched.

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. (Genesis 34:1)

I though Matthew Henry's commentary on verses 1-5 worth inclusion:

Dinah was, for aught that appears, Jacob's only daughter, and we may suppose her therefore the mother's fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proves neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or the happiest that are most indulged. She is reckoned now but fifteen or sixteen years of age when she here occasioned so much mischief. Observe, 1. Her vain curiosity, which exposed her. She went out, perhaps unknown to her father, but by the connivance of her mother, to see the daughters of the land (Gen_34:1); probably it was at a ball, or on some public day. Being an only daughter, she thought herself solitary at home, having none of her own age and sex to converse with; and therefore she must needs go abroad to divert herself, to keep off melancholy, and to accomplish herself by conversation better than she could in her father's tents. Note, It is a very good thing for children to love home; it is parents' wisdom to make it easy to them, and children's duty then to be easy in it. Her pretence was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too. I doubt she went to get an acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their way. Note, The pride and vanity of young people betray them into many snares. 2. The loss of her honour by this means (Gen_34:2): Shechem, the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her, and lay with her, it should seem, not so much by force as by surprise. Note, Great men think they may do any thing; and what more mischievous than untaught and ungoverned youth? See what came of Dinah's gadding: young women must learn to be chaste, keepers at home; these properties are put together, Tit_2:5, for those that are not keepers at home expose their chastity. Dinah went abroad to look about her; but, if she had looked about her as she ought, she would not have fallen into this snare. Note, The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. How great a matter does a little fire kindle! We should therefore carefully avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. 3. The court Shechem made to her, after he had defiled her. This was fair and commendable, and made the best of what was bad; he loved her (not as Amnon, 2Sa_13:15), and he engaged his father to make a match for him with her, Gen_34:4. 4. The tidings brought to poor Jacob, Gen_34:5. As soon as his children grew up they began to be a grief to him. Let not godly parents, that are lamenting the miscarriages of their children, think their case singular or unprecedented. The good man held his peace, as one astonished, that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss, as David (Psa_39:1, Psa_39:2); he smothered his resentments, lest, if he had suffered them to break out, they should have transported him into any decencies. Or, it should seem, he had left the management of his affairs very much (too much I doubt) to his sons, and he would do nothing without them: or, at least, he knew they would make him uneasy if he did, they having shown themselves, of late, upon all occasions, bold, forward, and assuming. Note, Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity.

Our culture does not defend or protect young women as it ought - they are left to their own devices far to often with peers who are as ill prepared to represent any semblance of propriety.  The movies, books, music all collude to give the same appearance of fun and frivolity that Dinah experienced.  The thoughts and behaviors of rebellion are sowed and reap horrid consequences.

Pray for those parents who are trying to raise their children counter to the culture.  Desiring to set good before them, to raise them up in the strength and admonition of the Lord.  Pray for children to have submissive hearts and minds to follow that which is godly and good.  Lord, please turn the hearts of the parents to the children and the children to the parents.

Day 20

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

4. Jacob and Esau both leave ~ cont.

Parallel Passages ~ cont.

Jacob's History ~ cont.

f. Twelve children born as he works additional years for Rachael and cattle ~ cont. Genesis 30:1-6; 29:35; 30:9, 7-8, 10-11, 14-18, 12-13, 19-24

Notable children included

(1) Levi 

(2) Judah

(3) Joseph

(4) Dinah (only daughter)

Esau's History ~ cont.

b. Esau's future ~ cont.

(2) Kings of Edom

(a) Bela - 1st King - Genesis 36:31-33; 1 Chronicles 1:43-44

(b) Other kings following - Genesis 36:34-39; 1 Chronicles 1:45-50

(3) Dukes of Edom - Genesis 36:40-43; 1 Chronicles 1:51-54

END Parallel Passages

5. Jacob's closing days with Laban

a. Increased material blessings - Genesis 30:25-43; 31:1-16

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes.  And he lay with her that night.  (Genesis 30:16)

I chuckled over this verse.  It appears to be the first biblically recorded incidence of paying for sex, and by the woman no less!  Hopefully that does not come across as being sacrilegious.  Jacob apparently had no choice in the matter?

Exploring a few of the words in the verse:

hired - H7936 - The second form by permutation and used in Ezr_4:5; a primitive root (apparently akin (by prosthesis) to H3739 through the idea of temporary purchase; compare H7937); to hire.

This word is doubled when used in this verse.  This word is used 21 times in 18 verses.  First usage is in Genesis 30:16, most of the verses translate the word as hired, except in Proverbs 26:10 where it is translated, twice, as rewardeth.  The last usage in Haggai 1:6, also used twice, it is translated as wages (put into a bag with holes).

mandrakes - H1736 - From H1731; a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as aphrodisiac).

• H1731 - From the same as H1730; a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket.
• H1730 - From an unused root meaning properly to boil, that is, (figuratively) to love; by implication a love token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle.

Used only 7 times in 5 verse, primarily in the Genesis passage, also in Song of Solomon and Jeremiah.  Since this was not enough information, I went on a hunt.  Not much on mandrakes, and what is out there is, well, odd.  This site seemed decent.

I thought Gill's commentary on the passage interesting:

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening,.... From feeding his flocks:

and Leah went out to meet him; knowing full well the time he used to come home:

and said, thou must come in unto me; into her tent, for the women had separate tents from the men; as Sarah from Abraham; and so these wives of Jacob had not only tents separate from his, but from one another:

for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes: that is, she had hired that night's lodging with him of Rachel, with the mandrakes her son Reuben had brought out of the field. Jacob made no objection to it; but consented, being willing to please both his wives, who he perceived had made this agreement between themselves:

and he lay with her that night; and that only, for the present: for, by the way of speaking, it looks as if he did not continue with her more nights together at that time, but went, as before that evening, to Rachel's tent.

Another interesting observation is Leah's motive - not so much to one up Rachel, but to acquire a good dowry ~ of children.  Which in our day and age is looked upon with disdain or outright scoffing.  People have been so brainwashed into thinking that children are a burden, when in reality they are a blessing from the Lord.

Psalm 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Day 17

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

C. Isaac ~ cont.

2. Death of Job (apx 200 years) - Job 42:16-17

3. Rebecca chosen for Isaac - Genesis 24:1-67; Genesis 25:20

4. Abraham's domestic life continues

a. Marriage to Keturah - Genesis 25:1

b. Abraham's children - Genesis 25:2-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33

5. Death of Shem (600 years) - Genesis 11:11

6. Birth of Esau and Jacob (43rd gen) - Genesis 25:19, 21-26

7. Isaac heir of all things - Genesis 25:5-6

8. Death of Abraham (175 years) - Genesis 25:7-10

9. His survivors - 1 Chronicles 1:28; Genesis 25:11

10. Death of Eber (464 years) - Genesis 11:17

And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.  (Genesis 24:10)

This verse caught my attention because of the similarity between Eliezer and Joseph.

As it relates to Potiphar:

Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 

The keeper of the jail:

Gen 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

Made me ponder (and continue to pray) about how a wife could be construed as having a similar level of respect and honor from her husband:

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

servant - H5650 - From H5647; a servant.

• H5647 - A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.

Used 800x in 714 verses - I am most definitely opting out on reading all of these. :-D

First used in Genesis 9:25 when Ham is cursed to be a servant to his brother. Last usage in Malachi 4:4 with the Lord's admonishment to remember the law of Moses His servant.

master - H113 - From an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, that is, controller (human or divine).

Used 335times in 287 verses (passing on this one too). First used in Genesis 18:12 with Sarah referring to Abraham as her Lord. Last usage:

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

I thought the word Lord meant Jesus Christ/Messiah, checked Gill's commentary to confirm that I was on target. :-D

Eliezer puts out a fleece (in my estimation) - I liked all the commentaries, but decided to use Poole.

"That this was not a rash and vain fancy, but a special expectation and confidence wrought in him by God's Spirit, appears both by the eminent prudence and godliness of this person, and by the exact correspondency of the event with his prayer, and by parallel examples, as Judges 6:36; 1 Samuel 6:7; 14:8."

I had to chuckle over "Abraham's domestic life continues" in the outline. Sarah laughed at Abraham being too old (as well as she) to conceive a child. Abraham sends Eliezer off to fetch a wife for Isaac because he thinks he is to be called home soon. He then turns around and marries Keturah and produces 6 more children! At about 140 years of age!

Prior to his actual departure he sends those sons off to the east country. Only Isaac and Ishmael are in attendance (of his sons) to bury Abraham.

Abraham would have seen Esau and Jacob. I am still amazed at the overlapping of lives. Eber died 4 years later...another 48 years and Ishmael dies. We all will one day pass from this temporal plane, stepping into eternity. Have you ever considered where you will abide?