Genesis 37
HPMGenesis 37:1-2
From the review of Esau’s splendid race of dukes and kings, we are here introduced among the humble children of Jacob, who are shepherds and husbandmen.
Genesis 37:3-4
Judges 5:30 ; 2 Samuel 13:18 . It were to be wished that parents would remember the apostle’s precept, of doing nothing by partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21 . Observe on the subject of hatred: John 7:7 ; 1 John 2:11 .
Genesis 37:5
Dreams in the patriarchal age were frequently prophetical. 1 John 3:15 .
Genesis 37:6-7
This was literally fulfilled; see Genesis 42:6; Genesis 43:26; Genesis 44:14 .
Genesis 37:8-10
See Luke 19:14 ; Genesis 46:29 . Jacob’s idea of this dream was, that the Sun represented himself; as a father is the source of life and warmth and nourishment to his family; that the Moon meant his wife, for as the moon derives its influence from the sun, so the wife from her husband; and the exact number of eleven stars expressly particularized the eleven sons of Israel.
Genesis 37:11-12
Luke 2:19; Luke 2:51 ; Acts 7:9 ;
Shechem lay near 60 miles from Hebron.
Genesis 37:13-16
Joseph’s question leads the mind to that, Son 1:7 .
Genesis 37:17
Dothan, a little distance from Shechem, 2 Kings 6:13 .
Genesis 37:18-22
See Genesis 42:22 .-Observe how the LORD interposes by his instruments in the hour of need!
Genesis 37:20
Genesis 37:23
Reader! look at him, of whom Joseph was in this instance the type! Matthew 27:28 .
Genesis 37:24-26
Did not David ask a similar question, as typical of JESUS? Psalms 30:9 .
Genesis 37:25
Genesis 37:27
So was the LORD JESUS sold by one of his disciples. Hebrews 2:14 .
Genesis 37:28
Judges 6:3 .-How striking a resemblance to JESUS! Matthew 26:15 . Twenty pieces of silver amounted to about forty-six shillings of our money.
Genesis 37:29-36
Genesis 39:1 ; Hebrews: Eunuch, or Chamberlain of Pharaoh’s household, as well as Captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:32
Genesis 37:33
Genesis 37:35
Genesis 42:38; Genesis 44:29-31 .
Genesis 37:36
Reader! there are many practical reflections for the suppression of anger in its first appearance; and many useful improvements for the discountenancing partiality to children, which may be gathered from this Chapter, and which under grace you will do well to regard. But I turn aside from every other consideration, as of less moment, in order to follow up the evident intention of the HOLY GHOST in this Chapter, to behold him, whom the Patriarch Joseph plainly shadowed out in several striking circumstances of his character.
And did not GOD the FATHER send his beloved Son from the realms of bliss into this our world, to see if it were well with us, and how we fared? But though he came full of love and mercy, yet when he came unto his own, his own received him not. Did they not conspire against him? nay, why do I say did they not, have we not all by sin and by rebellion conspired against him, sold him into the hands of the Gentiles, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain him? Was he not stripped of his raiment, cast into the pit, and his grave made with the wicked in his death, because he had done no violence, neither was there any deceit found in his mouth! Oh! thou Almighty Joseph of thy brethren! give me grace to see that though thou hast been despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and I have, (like those unnatural brethren), hid as it were my face from thee; yet by the sovereignty of thy grace help me to see, that thou wert sent by GOD the FATHER, to look after and provide for my everlasting welfare. Thou art sent indeed before thy people, and to save their lives by a great deliverance. Hail, thou dear Redeemer! henceforth may the language of my heart be, blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD.