Genesis 36-40: In the Word

Genesis often uses genealogies to summarize previous generations’ stories and provide a preview teasing where the story of the book would next focus attention. Often these transitions are introduced with phrases like “this is the account” (Genesis 2:4, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10, 11:27, 25:12, 25:19, 36:1, 36:9, 37:2) to signal the conclusion of one focus, and the introduction of a new focus for the narrative.

This week we see the conclusion of Esau’s part in the story of Genesis (Genesis 36), and the introduction of the next dominant characters who will be featured heavily throughout the rest of the book: the family of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel.

Joseph is introduced as one who receives favoritism from his father and is at the center of family disturbance as a youth. The jealousy and infighting eventually lead to a plot to kill Joseph by his own brothers, whose murderous intentions are only dissuaded by their greed. Instead of killing Joseph, he is sold into slavery, and the brothers produce a cover-up lie to tell their father Jacob (Genesis 37). The family of Joseph shows itself to be exceedingly wicked in their dealings with both family and assumed strangers (Genesis 38). From Genesis 37 through Genesis 41, we see more than a decade pass in the life of Joseph and his family back home in the promised land. During these late teenage years of Joseph and through his 20s, Joseph suffers as he was spoiled by his father’s favoritism, was sold into slavery due to the hatred of his brothers, was falsely accused by an employer (Genesis 39), and worked in prison (Genesis 40).

Note that Joseph had been forgotten by the cupbearer of Pharaoh he had helped on earth. Did God forget about Joseph? When he was thrown into a pit by his brothers, when he was sold into slavery, when he was working for Potiphar, when he was accused by Potiphar’s wife, when he was laboring under the prison warden, did God ever forget about Joseph?

From our perspective, it may very well look and feel as though Joseph was far away from the purposes and blessings of God. Surely none of us would volunteer for going to prison due to being framed. Surely none of us would desire to be in the center of such a tumultuous family. Did God forget Joseph? Does God forget us?

Jesus speaks of God’s provision for the flora and fauna (Matthew 6:26-34) in terms of comparison. He says if the birds are fed, and the lilies of the field are clothed, then how much more does God provide and care for His people. Even though Joseph’s life was filled with trauma, God never forgot him. God was mightily at work to redeem Joseph and bless many nations. In our own lives, we experience dark moments of trauma. Those moments don’t mean God has forgotten us. Instead, these are often moments where God is closing one focus in our life, and preparing us to be a blessing in a new way we never could have previously imagined.